Analysis of low-volatility organic sulphur compounds in wines by solid-phase microextraction and gas chromatography

A method for analysing low-volatility sulphur compounds using solid-phase microextraction has been developed. The analytes were extracted directly from the liquid sample using fibres coated with different stationary phases. The best extraction efficiency was obtained with Carboxen-polydimethylsiloxane coating. Ionic strength, sample volume, time and temperature of the extraction were optimised and the matrix effect studied. The method enables 15 sulphur compounds in wine to be determined at trace levels with recoveries close to 100% and limits of detection between 0.05 and 5 microg/L. The overall method was successfully applied to the determination of the sulphur compounds studied in several red, white and rosé wines.     

Application of the combination of isotope ratio monitoring with isotope dilution mass spectrometry to the determination of glucose in serum

Isotope ratio monitoring combined with n((13)C)/n((12)C) isotope dilution mass spectrometry (IRM/IDMS) provides results of low uncertainty of the order of 0.1% if it is applied to the analysis of simple mixtures as found in organic chemistry, even if only low (13)C spike additives to the sample are used. If the method is applied to the analysis of systems that require large-scale sample preparation prior to the measurement, such as the determination of glucose in serum, the results obtained exhibit a higher uncertainty that is comparable to that of the conventional gas chromatography/isotope dilution mass spectrometry (GC/IDMS) method. The reason for this observation is that the small contribution that the IRM/IDMS method makes to the uncertainty budget of the result is superimposed on a large contribution due to the sample preparation. It appears therefore that the IRM/IDMS method has no advantage over the conventional GC/IDMS method. However, if a series of measurements is carried out, and if a suitable experimental design is chosen, the IRM/IDMS method can provide valuable additional information. The influence of sample preparation on each individual result can be quantified as its deviation from the average value of all results of the series. From these data conclusions can be drawn for an improvement in sample preparation.     

Headspace-trap gas chromatography–mass spectrometry for determination of sulphur mustard and related compounds in soil

Methods for trace determination of sulphur mustard (HD) and some related cyclic sulphur compounds in soil samples have been developed using headspace-trap in combination with gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Two quite different types of soil were employed in the method optimisation (sandy loam and silty clay loam). Prior to analysis, water saturated with sodium chloride was added to the samples, at a water to soil ratio of 1:1. A detection limit of 3 ng/g was achieved for HD, while the cyclic sulphur compounds 1,4-thioxane, 1,3-dithiolane and 1,4-dithiane could be detected at 0.2–0.7 ng/g. The methods were validated in the concentration range from the limit of quantification (LOQ) to hundred times LOQ. The within assay precision at fifty times LOQ was 6.9–7.3% relative standard deviation (RSD) for determination of the cyclic sulphur compounds, and 15% RSD for determination of HD. Recoveries were in the range of 43–60% from the two soil types. As the technique requires very little sample preparation, the total time for sample handling and analysis was less than 1 h. The technique was successfully employed for the determination of cyclic sulphur compounds in a sediment sample from an old dumping site for chemical munitions, known to contain HD degradation products.     

Measurement uncertainty from physical sample preparation: estimation including systematic error

A methodology is proposed, which employs duplicated primary sampling and subsequent duplicated physical preparation coupled with duplicated chemical analyses. Sample preparation duplicates should be prepared under conditions that represent normal variability in routine laboratory practice. The proposed methodology requires duplicated chemical analysis on a minimum of two of the sample preparation duplicates. Data produced from the hierarchical design is treated with robust analysis of variance (ANOVA) to generate uncertainty estimates, as standard uncertainties ('u' expressed as standard deviation), for primary sampling (ssamp), physical sample preparation (sprep) and chemical analysis (sanal). The ANOVA results allow the contribution of the sample preparation process to the overall uncertainty to be assessed. This methodology has been applied for the first time to a case study of pesticide residues in retail strawberry samples. Duplicated sample preparation was performed under ambient conditions on two consecutive days. Multi-residue analysis (quantification by GC-MS) was undertaken for a range of incurred pesticide residues including those suspected of being susceptible to loss during sample preparation procedures. Sampling and analytical uncertainties dominated at low analyte concentrations. The sample preparation process contributed up to 20% to the total variability and had a relative uncertainty (Uprep%) of up to 66% (for bupirimate at 95% confidence). Estimates of systematic errors during physical sample preparation were also made using spike recovery experiments. Four options for the estimation of measurement uncertainty are discussed, which both include and exclude systematic error arising from sample preparation and chemical analysis. A holistic approach to the combination and subsequent expression of uncertainty is advised.     

Determination of total sulphur in fuel oils by ion chromatography

A method is described for the determination of total sulphur in fuel oils. The oils are burnt in an oxygen flask and the resulting sulphur dioxide is oxidised with hydrogen peroxide to sulphate which is subsequently determined by ion chromatography. With a 50-mg oil sample the limit of detection is 0.007% sulphur. The procedure is simple and has a r.s.d. of 2.7%. Blanks are negligible and the only interferences can be from metal ions that form insoluble sulphates. The method is compared with m.e.c.a, x.r.f. and titrimetric procedures.     

Isolation and determination of volatile organic sulphur compounds in aqueous solutions

Summary A procedure has been worked out for isolation and determination of volatile organic sulphur compounds in water. These compounds are isolated from an aqueous sample by countercurrent thin-layer head-space (TLHS) technique. After isolation, the sulphur compounds are burned in a quartz tube and the combustion products (SO₂/SO₃ mixture) are absorbed by a 10% solution of hydrogen peroxide. The resulting sulphuric acid is introduced into the heated part of a quartz tube, where the presence of tungsten trioxide at 1150°C ensures its complete decomposition. The sulphur dioxide formed is titrated microcoulometrically with iodine. Organic halogen compounds usually present in different waters do not interfere. The complete procedure has been tested on model solutions of sulphur compounds in the concentration range of 10–200 g S/l.     

Turbidimetric determination of some sulphur compounds in ethanol from fermentation

A simple method is described which can be used for the determination of certain sulphur compounds found in industrial ethanol obtained from fermentation of molasses. The method is based on the turbidimetric determination of sulphate after the sample has been treated with dilute hydrogen peroxide solution, by precipitation of the sulphate with barium chloride under appropriate conditions. Several samples of fermentation ethanol have been analysed by this method and the sulphur contents found compared with the total acidity.     

Flow-injection/pervaporation coupling for the determination of sulphide in Kraft liquors

A dynamic manifold has been coupled with a pervaporation module for the determination of sulphide ion in complex matrices such as Kraft liquors. The method is based on ethylene blue formation and features detection limits of 0.68 and 0.42 microg mL(-1) of S(2-) for injection and continuous introduction of the sample, respectively, with linear ranges of 1-15 and 1-10 microg mL(-1). The method is highly selective as the interferences from other sulphur species are avoided in the pervaporation process; thus, it has been applied successfully to the determination of the analyte in white and green bleaching liquors.     

Determination of sulphur and total sulphur dioxide in wines by an ICP-AES method

Sulphur contents of the original sample and the sample free from sulphur dioxide were determined by ICP-AES following nitric acid digestion under high pressure (using PAAR HPA equipment), and the total sulphur content was calculated from the difference between the results obtained. With the aim of preparing a sample free from sulphur dioxide, bound sulphur dioxide was released by sodium hydroxide, then after acidifying by phosphoric acid, boiling was carried out. Relative standard deviations of the results obtained for total sulphur, the sulphur without S(IV) and total sulphur dioxide were lower than 2.5, 3.5 and 5% respectively. Various amounts of sulphur (in the form of Na₂SO₄), added to wine samples, were successfully recovered between 95.5 and 104.9%. Based on comparative analyses performed by a widely accepted classic method, the indirect method developed was found to be adequate for the determination of total sulphur dioxide. The procedure is suitable for serial tests.     

高效液相色谱法测定水潺中苯甲酸含量的不确定度评定

立了高效液相色谱法测量水潺中苯甲酸含量的不确定度评定方案,合理地赋予被测量值的分散性。根据JJF1059—1999技术规范要求,以高效液相色谱法测定水潺中苯甲酸含量为例,分析测量过程中引起不确定度的各种因素,评估各不确定度分量,评定合成标准不确定度,包含因子取2（P=95%）,计算扩展不确定度,以不确定度的形式报告测量结果。方法的扩展相对不确定度为2.6%,本例样品测量扩展不确定度为0.022 g/kg,测量结果为0.866±0.022 g/kg。评定方案同时适用于高效液相色谱法测定食品中苯甲酸、山梨酸、     

Application of the isotope dilution technique for Zr determination in an irradiated cladding material by multiple collector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The determination of ⁹³Zr concentration, a long-lived radionuclide present in spent nuclear fuel and in the structural components of nuclear reactors, is a major issue for nuclear waste disposal purpose and to validate neutronic calculation codes. To measure ⁹³Zr concentration in irradiated cladding material with a high precision, an analytical method based on the use of multiple collector-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (MC-ICPMS) combined to isotope dilution technique was developed. First a radiochemical separation of zirconium from a zircaloy sample (a zirconium alloy used as a cladding material for nuclear fuel elements), has allowed to obtain a very pure zirconium fraction with no potential isobaric interferences for mass spectrometric measurements. Then as the determination of all zirconium isotope ratios in the sample is necessary for the isotope dilution method, a MC-ICPMS procedure was developed to perform these precise measurements. Finally, the determination of ⁹³Zr concentration in the same sample was performed, after preparation and calibration of a ⁹⁶Zr spike solution. The uncertainties obtained on isotope ratios of zirconium by MC-ICPMS were in the order of 0.1%. The final uncertainty obtained on the ⁹³Zr concentration in the nuclear material used and after chemical purification was lower than 0.6%.     

Dry mass determination: what role does it play in combined measurement uncertainty?

Elemental mass fractions are normally reported on a dry-mass basis. In addition, producers of reference material state their property values for dry masses and relate them to a defined dry mass determination method. This paper describes how biases and uncertainties in dry mass correction factors may affect values reported as ‘concentration per dry mass’. The influence of the use of different drying methods, accuracy of drying temperature, length of drying, environmental humidity, and the sample mass used for dry mass determination have been evaluated using two candidate International Atomic Energy Agency reference materials. Deviation from proposed drying methods was observed to lead to differences of up to 5% in dry mass correction factors. In addition, the heterogeneity of sample moisture as well as hygroscopic behaviour during weighing play an important role in the uncertainty estimation. Proposals are made regarding which sources of uncertainty arising from dry mass determination should be considered and included in the combined uncertainty of analytical results.     

Isotope dilution analysis as a definitive tool for the speciation of organotin compounds

Different spike solutions available for the determination of butyltin compounds by isotope dilution analysis are described and applied for the determination of butyltin compounds in PACS-2 certified reference material. Additionally, those spike solutions were evaluated during the course of an interlaboratory exercise organised by the National Research Council of Canada and the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (UK) in order to quantify tributyltin in a pilot sediment. The aim of this project was to evaluate the capabilities of isotope dilution mass spectrometry to reduce the uncertainty in the certification of Reference Materials for the speciation of organotin compounds. All participants were supplied with a 17Sn-enriched TBT solution from the Laboratory of the Government Chemist (UK). In our case, we performed the analysis of the pilot sediment also using a 119Sn enriched spike (mixed mono-, di- and tributyltin) and a 118Sn-119Sn double spike. The use of these additional spike solutions not only allowed the determination of monobutyltin and dibutyltin in the pilot sediment but also the evaluation and correction of possible extraction-derived rearrangement reactions. An excellent agreement amongst our results and between the participants was obtained with a precision of 8.4% RSD at a level of ca. 80 ng TBT g(-1) (as Sn).     

Mass Spectrometric Determination of Zirconium from a Resin Bead

Abstract

A sensitive, isotope dilution technique has been developed for the analysis of sub-microgram amounts of zirconium. The analysis is based on the increased thermal ion emission for Zr adsorbed on a single anion resin bead. Zr is isolated from a solution containing the sample and a highly enriched ⁹⁴Zr (96%) spike. The determination is made possible by using a high-sensitivity pulse-counting 2-stage 30-cm radius mass spectrometer. The detection limit depends upon the amount of the isotope spike added and the desired precision. Fifty nanograms of zirconium (sample plus spike) produce sufficient ion signals for reliable isotopic analysis so that fission Zr can be measured with blank correction to a precision of 3%. By this method for fission Zr in spent reactor fuel particles, contamination from normal Zr and Mo can be corrected out by making isotopic measurements before and after spiking and scanning masses 90 and 95 during analysis. Since neither masses 90 nor 95 are stable fission products, their presence is due to sample contamination and can be used for correction based on their normal isotopic distributions. Zone-refined tantalum ribbon, essentially free of normal Zr and Mo was selected as the ionizing filament. This method can be adapted to a wide variety of samples.     

A conductance sensor for dissolved sulphur dioxide using a series piezoelectric crystal device

A new piezoelectric crystal impedance sensor for the determination of sulphur dioxide in aqueous solution is presented. It is realized using a series piezoelectric crystal device which is constructed by connecting an AT-cut piezoelectric crystal to a probe in series. The probe is filled with an internal electrolyte solution that is separated from sample solutions by a gas-permeable membrane. The present sensor exhibits a favourable frequency response to 1 x 10(-7)-1 x 10(-3) M sulphur dioxide. The detection limit is 1 x 10(-8) M. The effects of the sensor preparation are considered. Dynamic range, reproducibility, response time and selectivity of the sensor are also discussed. The proposed sensor has been used successfully for lamp sulphur determinations in petroleum samples.     

Determination of trace amounts of sulphur in selenium

Determination of trace amounts of sulphur as Methylene Blue after reduction of sulphate to sulphide by hydriodic and hypophosphorous acids in acetic acid solution is applied to the determination of trace amounts of sulphur in selenium after removal of the selenium by evaporation with hydrobromic acid. Samples of 100 mg or less of selenium are chosen if the sulphur content is greater than 5-10 ppm; the time required for the separation is about 1.5 hr; 100 ppm of sulphur has been determined with a coeffident of variation of 5.2%. If the sulphur content is less than 5 ppm, 1-g samples must be taken and the time required is then about 3 hr; 0.4 ppm of sulphur has been determined with a standard deviation of 0.13 ppm. The accuracy of the method seems to be well within the random error.     

Substoichiometric isotope-dilution determination of sulphur after conversion to methylene blue and ion-pair extraction with dodecyl sulphate

The proposed substoichiometric determination of sulphur includes two key steps: conversion of sulphur to methylene blue and ion-pair extraction of methylene blue into chloroform with a substoichiometric amount of dodecyl sulphate. The method, combined with isotope dilution is applied to the determination of total sulphur in NBS SRM Citrus Leaves and in a seaweed sample (Laminaria religiosa Miyabe). The mean values obtained were 0.401±0.008% S (RSD 2%; n=9; certified value 0.407±0.009%) for the SRM, and 0.756±0.012% S (RSD 1.6%; n=5) for the seaweed. A sample of 0.5–1 g containing ca. 100 μg of sulphur can be analysed.     

The determination of sulphur and phosphorus by atomic emission spectrometry with an induction-coupled high-frequency plasma source

An instrumental assembly is described which permits detection of the atomic emission at their resonance lines below 200 nm from sulphur and phosphorus introduced into a high-frequency induction-coupled plasma source as aqueous solutions of their anions. Optimal conditions for the determination of sulphur at 182.04 nm and phosphorus at 213.62 nm have been established, and detection limits of 1.7 and 0.08 p.p.m. have been obtained for these elements, respectively. The determinations are relatively free from chemical and physical interferences, although spectral interferences from metal ions are observed in both cases. The method established for phosphorus has been applied to its determination in soil extracts.     

Determination of zirconium in U−Zr−Al and Pu−Zr−Al alloys by isotope dilution thermal ionization mass spectrometry

An isotope dilution thermal ionization mass-spectrometric (ID-TIMS) method is described for the determination of Zr in U?Zr?Al and Pu?Zr?Al alloy samples. Problems encountered in the chemical exchange between the zirconium isotopes in the spike and sample, particularly Pu?Zr?Al samples, are discussed and a method has been standardized to eliminate it. Separation of Zr from U, Pu and Al was achieved by employing ion exchange procedures. A precision of better than 1% is possible in the determination of Zr with the method reported here.     

Evaluation of measurement uncertainty in the determination of jasmonic acid in <Emphasis Type="Italic">Lemna minor</Emphasis> L. by liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection

The uncertainty was estimated for the determination of jasmonic acid (JA) content in Lemna minor L. plant extracts using a reverse-phase liquid chromatography with fluorescence detection. JA was extracted from plant material, followed by solid-phase extraction procedures, derivatisation and quantification. In the estimation of uncertainty, the sampling, sample processing and chromatographic determination that may significantly influence the uncertainty of analytical data were considered. The results show that the method recovery and sample homogeneity are the two main contributors to uncertainty. The method has a relative expanded uncertainty (coverage factor k = 2) of about 17% at the JA content of approximately 100 ng/g.