An on-line solid phase extraction-liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry method for the determination of perfluoroalkyl substances in the Antarctic ice core samples

An on-line solid phase extraction-high performance liquid chromatography-tandemmass spectrometry method for the analysis of perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in water samples was developed. The optimal analytical conditions were obtained through the optimization of the extraction efficiency of online solid phase extraction column, sample loading rate and loading volume, and the concentration of ammonium acetate in mobile phase. Under the optimal condition, the analytical method displayed good linearity (r² > 0.99) for 12 PFASs (C5-C14 perfluoroalkyl carboxylic acids and C6/C8 perfluoroalkyl sulfonic acids) over a concentration range of 0.5-100 ng/L. The limits of quantitation for samples were between 0.025 ng/L and 0.5 ng/L and the relative standard deviations (RSD) of five consecutive analyses were less than 10% for 1 ng/L standard solution. Satisfactory results were obtained using this analytical method for the analysis of perfluoroalkyl substances in Antarctic ice core samples. The recoveries of all perfluoroalkyl substances were in a range of 73%-117% when the sampleswere spiked with standards at the concentrations of 2.5 ng/L and 25 ng/L.     

Adoption of Common Schemes for Single and Sequential Extractions of Trace Metal in Soils and Sediments

Abstract

The various methods for determining the mode of occurrence of trace metals in sediments and soils have a long history which dates back to the determinations of the availability of metals for plant nutrition performed earlier. Various methods have been developed in the 70′s and 80′s dealing with both single and sequential extraction schemes. Although some schemes received wide acceptance, none of them developed into a commonly accepted procedure. As a result, the information obtained was site-specific and the interpretation of the results scientist-specific. The workshop on single and sequential extraction in sediments and soils held at Sitges     

Halocarbons in Antarctic Surface Waters

Abstract

Surface water samples taken during the 1988–89, 1989–90 and 1990–91 Italian expeditions were analyzed for the presence of carbon tetrachloride, trichloroethylene and tetrachloroethylene. The sample analysis was carried out by solvent extraction and capillary GC-ECD-MS determination. The above-mentioned halocarbons were at ng/l level in all water samples investigated.     

Hair analysis and the early detection of imbalances in trace elements for members of expeditions in Antarctica

In the framework of the Human Biology and Medicine Project of the National Program for Research in Antarctica (Programma Nazionale di Ricerche in Antartide, PNRA) a study was undertaken to explore the suitability of trace element determination in human hair as a tool for the early detection of the impact of extreme environmental conditions on the health of members of the Italian and French expeditions. This study included three campaigns, namely, the 1995–1996 expedition to the Italian base of Terra Nova Bay, as well as the 1997–1998 and 1998–1999 expeditions to both the Italian base of Terra Nova Bay and the Italian–French base of Dome C. Sampling of hair of participants in the expeditions was carried out both prior to departure and at the end of the period spent at the bases. As regards storage, pre-treatment and analysis of hair samples they were performed in accordance with previously established procedures. Acid-assisted microwave digestion was adopted as the best approach for preparing solutions for subsequent analysis by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. In the first part of this study, only the elements Ca, Cu, Fe, Mg and Zn were selected, while at a later stage it was decided to also include Co, Cr, Mn, Mo and Ni. Experimental results were subjected to basic statistical analysis to detect possible significant differences in element concentrations that occurred during the sojourn at the bases, with a view to identify possible remedial action to minimize adverse consequences.     

南极岩石样品中稀土元素的中子活化分析

用仪器中子活化分析技术,测定了南极岩石中8种稀土元素含量,讨论了不同岩石的稀土模式特点。     

Isolation of selenium organic species from antarctic krill after enzymatic hydrolysis

Total selenium content and its distribution in the soluble and insoluble protein-bound fractions obtained after aqueous extraction of antarctic krill samples were determined. About 26% of the total selenium (2.4 g g^–1 dry weight) was found in the supernatant; the rest was in the pellet. Isolation of low molecular selenium-containing fractions was also performed by enzymatic digestion of the protein, followed by size-exclusion chromatography in conjunction with atomic absorption spectrometry. From the applied various proteinases (pronase E, subtilisin Carlsberg, trypsin, chymotrypsin, proteinase and proteinase N from Bacillus subtilis and Novo 0.6 MPX enzyme), the treatment with pronase E led to best recovery of selenium. About 96% of the total Se was found in the hydrolysate, mainly in low molecular weight fractions. Eighty percent of the Se species were in fractions with molecular weights in the range of amino acids and short peptides. High-performance liquid chromatography/inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS) allowed the identification of selenomethionine and the assumption that selenocystine or its derivatives were the main species in these fractions.     

THE COMPARISON OF LANZHOU LOESS PROFILE WITH VOSTOK ICE CORE IN ANTARCTICA OVER THE LAST GLACIATION CYCLE

Loess near Lanzhou in the late Pleistocene is very sensitive to climatic fluctuations. The Beiyuan terrace profile in Linxia City, of which the curve of susceptibility tallies with the trend of isotopic curves of Vostok 2083 m ice core in Antarctica, is 35m thick. There are five layers of paleosols under Malan loess(L_1). Upper three layers (S_(1-a),S(1-b)and S_(1-c) correspond to three warm stages in last interglaciation, Interstadial of Last Glacial (C stage in Antarctic ice core)was clearly recorded in the Beiyuan profile, in which three layers of paleosols and two of loess were formed. The lowest section of the profile belongs to penultimate glaciation, in which fossils of cold-drought-resistant mammal and mollusc have been discovered.     

Rare earth elements determined in Antarctic ice by inductively coupled plasma--time of flight, quadrupole and sector field-mass spectrometry: An inter-comparison study

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is a suitable tool for multi-element analysis at low concentration levels. Rare earth element (REE) determinations in standard reference materials and small volumes of molten ice core samples from Antarctica have been performed with an ICP-time of flight-MS (ICP-TOF-MS) system. Recovery rates for REE in e.g. SPS-SW1 amounted to ∼103%, and the relative standard deviations were 3.4% for replicate analysis at REE concentrations in the lower ng L⁻¹ range. Analyses of REE concentrations in Antarctic ice core samples showed that the ICP-TOF-MS technique meets the demands of restricted sample mass. The data obtained are in good agreement with ICP-Quadrupole-MS (ICP-Q-MS) and ICP-Sector Field-MS (ICP-SF-MS) results. The ICP-TOF-MS system determines accurately and precisely REE concentrations exceeding 5 ng L⁻¹ while between 0.5 and 5 ng L⁻¹ accuracy and precision are element dependent.     

低温吹扫捕集-气相色谱-火焰光度法测定南极水样中的甲基锡形态

:建立了低温吹扫捕集 -气相色谱 -火焰光度法快速测定甲基锡形态的新方法。在 p H 5的 HAc- Na Ac缓冲溶液中 ,加入 1 m L浓度为 30 g/L的硼氢化钾 ,一甲基锡 ,二甲基锡和三甲基锡分别转化成相应的氢化物 ,直接被低温吹扫捕集到冷阱毛细管中 ,经过气相色谱分离 ,用火焰光度检测器检测。方法的最低检出限分别为一甲基锡 1 8ng·L-1,二甲基锡 1 2 ng· L-1,三甲基锡 3ng·L-1,相对标准偏差小于 3%。方法已用于测定南极水样中的甲基锡形态。