Determination of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead in sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using zirconium containing chemical modifiers.

A method for direct determination of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead in sediments and soil samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using Zr, Ir, etylenediamine acetic acid (EDTA), Zr + EDTA, Ir + EDTA, Zr + Ir and Zr + Ir + EDTA as chemical modifiers in 0.5% (v/v) Triton X-100 plus 0.2% (v/v) nitric acid mixture used as diluent was developed. The effects of mass and mass ratio of modifiers on analytes in sample solutions were studied. The optimum masses and mass ratios of modifiers: 20 microg of Zr, 4 microg of Ir, 100 microg of EDTA and 20 microg of Zr + 4 microg of Ir + 100 microg of EDTA, were used to enhance the analyte signals. Pyrolysis and atomization temperatures, atomization and background absorption profiles, characteristic masses, and detection limits of analytes in samples were compared in the presence or absence of a modifier. The detection limits and characteristic masses of analytes in a 0.5% (m/v) dissolved sample (dilution factor of 200 ml g(-1)) obtained with Zr + Ir + EDTA are 8.0 ng g(-1) and 1.2 pg for Cd, 61 ng g(-1) and 4.3 pg for Cr, 32 ng g(-1) and 23 pg for Cu, and 3.4 ng g(-1) and 19 pg for Pb, respectively. The Zr + Ir + EDTA modifier mixture was found to be preferable for the determination of analytes in sediment and soil-certified and standard reference materials. Depending on the sample type, the percent recoveries of analytes were increased from 81 to 103% by using the proposed modifier mixture; the results obtained are in good agreement with the certified values.     

Determination of gallium in soil by slurry-sampling graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry

A graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometric method, utilizing ultrasonic slurry-sampling has been developed for the determination of Ga in soils. Calibration with aqueous standards and with slurries prepared from a certified soil reference material were both employed. When calibration with soil slurries was used no modifier was needed. Because lower and more variable sensitivity was obtained for Ga in aqueous standards than for Ga in slurry soil samples, external calibration with aqueous Ga standards required a suitable chemical modifier to level out the sensitivity difference. Of the many potential modifiers tested, i.e. Al, As, Co, Mg, Mo, Ni, Pd, Pd+Mg, Se, and Te, Ni was found to be best. When Ni (1.0 mg mL(-1), 10 micro L) was injected to the graphite tube with the aqueous standards or slurry samples (10 micro L) accurate results were obtained. Both methods of calibration gave acceptable accuracy and precision. The repeatability was 相似文献   

Direct determination of silicon in powdered aluminium oxide by use of slurry sampling with in situ fusion graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry

A direct method for determination of silicon in powdered high-purity aluminium oxide samples, by slurry sampling with in situ fusion graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS), has been established. A slurry sample was prepared by 10-min ultrasonication of a powdered sample in an aqueous solution containing both sodium carbonate and boric acid as a mixed flux. An appropriate portion of the slurry was introduced into a pyrolytic graphite furnace equipped with a platform. Silicon compounds to be determined and aluminium oxide were fused by the in situ fusion process with the flux in the furnace under optimized heating conditions, and the silicon absorbance was then measured directly. The calibration curve was prepared by use of a silicon standard solution containing the same concentration of the flux as the slurry sample. The accuracy of the proposed method was confirmed by analysis of certified reference materials. The proposed method gave statistically accurate values at the 95% confidence level. The detection limit was 3.3 microg g(-1) in solid samples, when 300 mg/20 mL slurry was prepared and a 10 microL portion of the slurry was measured. The precision of the determination (RSD for more than four separate determinations) was 14% and 2%, respectively, for levels of 10 and 100 microg g(-1) silicon in aluminium oxide.     

As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb pressurized liquid extraction with acetic acid from marine sediment and soil samples

Rapid leaching procedures by Pressurized Liquid Extraction (PLE) have been developed for As, Cd, Cr, Ni and Pb leaching from environmental matrices (marine sediment and soil samples). The Pressurized Liquid Extraction is completed after 16 min. The released elements by acetic acid Pressurized Liquid Extraction have been evaluated by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry. The optimum multi-element leaching conditions when using 5.0 ml stainless steel extraction cells, were: acetic acid concentration 8.0 M, extraction temperature 100 °C, pressure 1500 psi, static time 5 min, flush solvent 60%, two extraction steps and 0.50 g of diatomaceous earth as dispersing agent (diatomaceous earth mass/sample mass ratio of 2). Results have showed that high acetic acid concentrations and high extraction temperatures increase the metal leaching efficiency. Limits of detection (between 0.12 and 0.5 μg g^− 1) and repeatability of the over-all procedure (around 6.0%) were assessed. Finally, accuracy was studied by analyzing PACS-2 (marine sediment), GBW-07409 (soil), IRANT-12-1-07 (cambisol soil) and IRANT-12-1-08 (luvisol soil) certified reference materials (CRMs). These certified reference materials offer certified concentrations ranges between 2.9 and 26.2 μg g^− 1 for As, from 0.068 to 2.85 μg g^− 1 for Cd, between 26.4 and 90.7 μg g^− 1 for Cr, from 9.3 to 40.0 μg g^− 1 for Ni and between 16.3 and 183.0 μg g^− 1 for Pb. Recoveries after analysis were between 95.7 and 105.1% for As, 96.2% for Cd, 95.2 and 100.6% for Cr, 95.7 and 103% for Ni and 94.2 and 105.5% for Pb.     

Evaluation of Platanus occidentalis and Pinus sylvestris as bioindicators for lead and cadmium by slurry sampling-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Two higher plants (Platanus occidentalis and Pinus sylvestris) were used as bioindicators for assessment of contamination by Pb and Cd in an urban and industrialized area. Both toxic metals in plant tissue were determined by transverse-heated electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry-longitudinal Zeeman background correction combined with automated ultrasonic slurry sampling. Twenty sampling points were established to observe a relationship between metal concentration in plant and traffic density. Screening optimization of variables influencing slurry preparations (sonication time, sonication power, and surfactant concentration) followed a fractional factorial design at 2 levels. No significant effects were observed in the interval of variables studied. Limits of detection of Pb and Cd in the plants were 0.28 and 0.025 microg/g (dry weight), respectively. Metal concentrations in the plants were in the range of 5-51 and 0.05-0.7 microg/g for Pb and Cd, respectively. Factor analysis to data of metal concentration in both plants, extractable metal content in soil, distance to traffic, and traffic density, showed a significant association between features such as concentration of Pb and Cd in leaves of P. occidentalis and traffic density, which accounted for the largest variance. Other features such as extractable metal contents in soil accounted for lesser variance, meaning that soils in the area investigated were less suitable than plants for monitoring metal pollution caused by vehicular traffic.     

Persistence of Metal Residues in Sewage Sludge Treated Soils Over Seventeen Years

Abstract

Results from two long-term sewage sludge experiments conducted on different soil types are presented. Sewage sludges highly contaminated with Cr, Cu, Ni or Zn and a relatively uncontaminated sludge were applied at both sites at the same rates and metal contents in 1968. The Cr-rich sludge also had a high Cd content. Plot soils were sampled in 1972, 1976 or 1977, 1981 and 1985 and total and extractable metal contents determined. Metals added in sewage sludge may change their form but persist in soils in an extractable and plant available form for many years. There is little difference in soil extractable contents or plant uptake of Cu and Zn whether sludge is applied as one single application or as its equivalent in four separate annual applications of one quarter the amount. The percentages of the total chromium contents extractable by both EDTA and acetic acid were small and this was reflected in a low uptake of this element by pasture herbage species (<0.3 mg Cr/kg DM).     

Determination of selenium in marine biological tissues by transverse heated electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with longitudinal Zeeman background correction and automated ultrasonic slurry sampling.

A fast, sensitive, and reliable method for determination of selenium in marine biological tissues by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with slurry sampling was developed. Slurries were prepared from fresh and frozen seafood samples that were previously homogenized, dried, and ground; particle sizes <100 microm were taken for analysis. A 3% (v/v) HNO3 solution containing 0.01% (v/v) Triton X-100 was used as slurry diluent. Slurries were mixed on an automated ultrasonic slurry sampler at 20% amplitude for 30 s just before an aliquot was injected into the furnace. The method was successfully validated against the following certified reference materials: NRCC CRM DORM-2 (Dogfish muscle); NRCC CRM TORT-2 (Lobster hepatopancreas); NRCC CRM DOLT-2 (Dogfish liver); and BCR CRM 278 (Mussel tissue), and was subsequently applied to determination of Se in 10 marine biological samples. The influences of the drying procedure (oven-, microwave-, and freeze-drying), matrix modifier amount, mass of solid material in cup, and pipetting sequence are discussed. The limit of determination of Se was 0.16 microg/g and the repeatability, estimated as between-batch precision, was in the range of 4-8%. Se contents in the samples ranged from 0.6 to 2.8 microg/g. The proposed method should be useful for fast assessment of the daily dietary intake of Se.     

Determination of nickel, chromium and cobalt in wheat flour using slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The slurry technique was applied to the determination of Ni, Cr and Co in wheat flour by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). The influence of the graphite furnace temperature programme was optimized. Optimum sensitivity was obtained by using a mixture of 15% HNO₃–10% H₂O₂ as suspended medium for a 3% w/v slurry in the determination of Ni; lower concentrations of HNO₃ were necessary for the determination of Co and Cr (viz. 5 and 10%). The precision of direct analyses of the slurries was improved by using mechanical agitation between measurements; thus, the RSD of the measurements was ca. 5% for repeatability. The direct slurry sampling (SS) technique is suitable for the determination of Ni and Cr in wheat flour samples at levels of 150–450 and 30–72 ng g⁻¹, respectively, as it provides results similar to those obtained by ashing the sample. However, the typically low level of Co in these samples precluded its determination by the proposed method (the study was made in an SRM spiked wholemeal flour), at least in those samples that were contaminated with elevated concentrations of the metal (viz. more than 90 ng of Co per g of flour). The method provides a relative standard deviation of 6, 8, and 4% for Ni, Cr, and Co, respectively.     

Determination of titanium by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with the use of fluoride modifiers

A method for the determination of titanium in graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with slurry sampling was developed. Titanium forms thermally stable carbides in the graphite tube that leads to decreased sensitivity and severe memory effects. Various fluorinating agents, BaF(2), NH(4)F, and CHF(3) (Freon-23) were therefore examined in order to reduce or eliminate these problems. Ti was determined, at various concentration levels, in certified reference materials (CRMs) using ultrasonic slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (USS-GFAAS). The three CRMs, GBW 07601 (Human Hair Powder), GBW 07602 (Bush Branches and Leaves), and GBW 07411 (Chinese Soil), contained 2.7 microg g(-1), 95 microg g(-1), and 0.41% Ti, respectively. For comparison, determinations of Ti were made with modifiers (BaF(2) and NH(4)F) and without modifier, using 5% CHF(3) (in argon) for cleaning the graphite furnace. Good accuracy was obtained using aqueous Ti standards for calibration. A homogeneity study showed that Ti was evenly distributed in all the samples at the mg-microg level. The relative standard deviations (RSDs) obtained for the three CRMs were 16%, 11%, and 8% ( n=30). In spite of the wide range of Ti concentrations in the present samples, the same wavelength (365.4 nm) could be used for analysis by varying the slurry sample concentration. The precision was best for the material with the highest titanium content in spite of the fact that only 3 microg of sample was introduced into the furnace.     

Preconcentration and determination of trace elements with 2,6-diacetylpyridine functionalized Amberlite XAD-4 by flow injection and atomic spectroscopy

An on-line flow injection method for the direct determination of trace elements in environmental samples is described. A mini-column packed with 2,6-diacetylpyridine functionalized Amberlite XAD-4 was used to preconcentrate and separate 8 trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, U and Zn) from water and extracts from solid samples. The metals were eluted with 0.1 M HNO(3) directly to the detection system (either inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS)). As well as demonstrating that the resin could be used to preconcentrate ultra-trace analytes from natural waters, it was also shown to work well at a pH of 5.5. Therefore, after treatment of sample digests with sodium fluoride, samples that contain extremely large concentrations of iron may be analysed for trace analytes without the excess iron overloading the capacity of the resin. To this end, the analytes Cd, Co, Cu and Ni were preconcentrated from acid extracts of certified soil/sediment samples and then eluted with nitric acid to be determined on-line. Limits of detection (3sigma) of Cd = 0.33 microg l(-1), Co = 0.094 microg l(-1), Cu = 0.34 microg l(-1), Mn = 0.32 microg l(-1), Ni = 0.30 microg l(-1), Pb = 0.43 microg l(-1), U = 0.067 microg l(-1) and Zn = 0.20 microg l(-1) for the FI-ICP-MS system and Cd = 22 microg l(-1), Co = 60 microg l(-1), Cu = 10 microg l(-1) and Ni = 4.8 microg l(-1) for the FI-FAAS system were obtained. Analysis of certified reference materials showed good agreement with the certified values using the two methods.     

New Sediment and Soil CRMs for Extractable Trace Metal Content

Abstract

The lack of uniformity in leaching procedures used to measure broadly defined forms of heavy metals does not allow the results to be compared world-wide nor the methods to be validated since the results obtained are “operationally defined”. An attempt was made to certify several mineral soils CRMs for single extraction by using acetic acid, EDTA and DTPA for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn. Recently, to complete the series of soil CRMs, an organically enriched soil was prepared SO25. For sediments a CRM 601 was produced and certified for metals extractable by using the BCR three step sequential extraction. Not all the trace elements were certified and only indicative values were given for some of them due to poor reproducibility. We performed a systematic study of the effect of the variables identified as potential sources of uncertainty in the use of this scheme. With this study the sources of uncertainty were revealed and an optimised version of the protocol was proposed. With this new version it was possible to certify all the trace elements studied. New sediment material S33 is now proposed for certification and additional data are given for the sediment CRM 601. This modified procedure was also applied to a soil CRM 483 and good results were obtained. This procedure may thus be applied to polluted soils.     

Application of Leaching Tests for the Assessment of Available Heavy Metals from Domestic and Industrial Sludges

Various sludge samples from different domestic and industrial wastewater treatment plants were analyzed by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry to evaluate their total and available contents of heavy metals (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn and Fe). The EDTA and acetic acid single extraction procedures were applied to these samples with the aim to study the leaching behaviour of the metals in the different sludges and also to predict their possible mobility when these wastes are disposed on the environment and landfills. In acidic medium, a higher extraction efficiency was observed for the major part of the elements studied in the industrial sludges, except for Ni and Zn, which were also considerably released from domestic sludges. In contrast, in the presence of the EDTA complexing ligand, a more elevated mobility of metals was found in the domestic sludges and little or no metals were released from the industrial sludges. Moreover, the results of the microwave total digestions were compared, for all metals, with those obtained using a more simplified pseudototal digestion procedure (based on the EPA Method 3051, named microwave assisted acid digestion of sediments, sludges, soils and oils) and a good agreement was found between them, except for Cr and Ni in some particular samples. The between-batch precision (expressed as RSD) of both compared digestion methods was very similar and values lower than 7.7% were obtained in both cases. A certified domestic sludge material (SRM 2781) was employed to validate the two digestion procedures and no significant differences were found between the certified and experimental values for all the elements studied.     

Comparison of single extraction procedures,using either conventional shaking or microwave heating,and the Tessier sequential extraction method for the fractionation of heavy metals from environmental samples

The conventional four-step sequential extraction method and the EDTA and acetic acid single extraction procedures were applied to sewage sludge and sediment samples. The results obtained with these samples for Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn using the Tessier method were compared with those supplied by the two single extraction procedures employed. In addition, the Tessier method was also applied to a reference material, CRM 483, and these results were also compared with the certified EDTA and acetic acid values for this sample. As a result, good agreement was found between the metal contents released in the first three fractions of the Tessier method and those leached by the simpler single extraction procedures for the most of the elements studied. Subsequently, the conventional EDTA and acetic acid extraction methods were accelerated by means of microwave energy, in order to reduce the operating time. The extraction efficiency of the first three fractions of the Tessier method was compared with that obtained using the optimised microwave single extraction procedures and only in sewage sludge and CRM 483 samples were satisfactory results found for all the elements studied, except Cr and Pb. This means that the microwave single extraction procedures optimised in this work could be employed as screening methods to evaluate rapidly the easiest mobilizable heavy metals in these samples, although more samples should be analysed to determine their general applicability. The application of the accelerated single extraction procedures to a reference material, CRM 483, provided satisfactory results for all the elements studied, except for Cr in both methods and for Pb in the acetic acid extracts.     

Certified reference materials for extractable trace metals in soils: effect of the particle size

Homogeneity of a soil reference material was tested at two different stages of production: in the bulk material and after bottling. To increase homogeneity in the bottle, the material may be ground thoroughly, but this may change the material and consequently the extractable trace metal content even the stability of the extractable contents over time may change. These effects were studied for Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn using acetic acid and EDTA as extracting solutions. Hard grinding of the soil increased or decreased the extractability of some heavy metals depending on the metal and the extractant, whereas the stability of the material was not affected by this treatment, except for Cd when using EDTA. As the homogeneity achieved in bottle by a short manual shaking was sufficient for the procedure studied, no hard grinding is recommended.     

Determination of cobalt in sewage sludge using ultrasonic slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Cobalt in sludge of domestic and industrial origin, with high iron contents (> 17 g/kg), was determined by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Slurries prepared by ultrasonic stirring were adequately diluted to cover the variation in cobalt content in the sludge samples. The diluent was 5% HNO3. Standard atomisation conditions for cobalt determination were used and no matrix modifier was applied. Slurry sampling GF-AAS results in the sludge were verified by analysing totally digested samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and by GF-AAS. The procedure was validated by analysing the certified reference material BCR 146 R, a sewage sludge of industrial origin. Recoveries for cobalt in the spiked slurried sludge samples ranged from 92 to 96%, with a relative standard deviation of 10%. Recoveries in the certified sludge using slurry sampling GF-AAS technique were about 103% for a cobalt content of 7.39 mg/kg.     

Simultaneous direct determination of aluminum, calcium and iron in silicon carbide and silicon nitride powders by slurry-sampling graphite furnace AAS.

A fast and accurate analytical method was established for the simultaneous direct determination of aluminum, calcium and iron in silicon carbide and silicon nitride powders by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry using a slurry sampling technique and a Hitachi Model Z-9000 atomic absorption spectrometer. The slurry samples were prepared by the ultrasonication of silicon carbide or silicon nitride powders with 0.1 M nitric acid. Calibration curves were prepared by using a mixed standard solution containing aluminum, calcium, iron and 0.1 M nitric acid. The analytical results of the proposed method for aluminum, calcium and iron in silicon carbide and silicon nitride reference materials were in good agreement with the reference values. The detection limits for aluminum, calcium and iron were 0.6 microg/g, 0.15 microg/g and 2.5 microg/g, respectively, in solid samples, when 200 mg of powdered samples were suspended in 20 ml of 0.1 M nitric acid and a 10 microl portion of the slurry sample was then measured. The relative standard deviation of the determination of aluminum, calcium and iron was 5 - 33%.     

Determination of chromium,manganese and vanadium in sediments and soils by modifier—free slurry sampling electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Slurried sediment and soil samples of the certified reference materials with a highly elevated level of the metals of interest (Mn, Cr and V) were analysed by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) with Zeeman effect background correction. The method of slurry preparation and time-temperature programmes were optimized and, finally, the use of chemical modifiers was not necessary. The effect of alternate spectral lines and gas mini-flows on characteristic masses of analytes was studied. The homogeneity of samples and the influence of short sample grinding were also discussed. The simple, aqueous standard based calibration graphs (except Mn at the concentration > 1000 mg kg⁻¹) were applied for the quantification of results. The results of determinations obtained by slurry sampling agreed well with the cetified values, and the relative standard deviations (RSDs) for the over-all analytical procedure repeatability (at slurries concentration level about 2 mg/2 ml) were less than 9.5%, except manganese (10.4%).     

Direct inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry analysis of trace elements in muscle tissues of hairtail using electrothermal vaporization with slurry sampling

A procedure for direct determination of trace elements in muscle tissue of hairtail was developed using inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry and electrothermal vaporization with slurry sampling. Due to use of polytetrafluoroethylene as the chemical modifier, the vaporization behaviors of analytes from the slurry and the aqueous standard solutions were very similar. In this case, the aqueous standards could be used for the calibration of slurry samples. The main factors influencing this method were studied systematically. The detection limits for Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Pb were 3.1, 10.5, 176, 6.9, and 83 ng/mL, respectively, and the relative standard deviations were less than 10%. The proposed method was applied to the determination of trace Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd, and Pb in hairtail samples with satisfactory accuracy and precision. A certified reference material of mussel (GBW 08571) was analyzed, and good agreement was obtained between the results from the proposed method and certificate values.     

Determination of cobalt in sewage sludge using ultrasonic slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Cobalt in sludge of domestic and industrial origin, with high iron contents (> 17 g/kg), was determined by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF-AAS). Slurries prepared by ultrasonic stirring were adequately diluted to cover the variation in cobalt content in the sludge samples. The diluent was 5% HNO₃. Standard atomisation conditions for cobalt determination were used and no matrix modifier was applied. Slurry sampling GF-AAS results in the sludge were verified by analysing totally digested samples by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and by GF-AAS. The procedure was validated by analysing the certified reference material BCR 146 R, a sewage sludge of industrial origin. Recoveries for cobalt in the spiked slurried sludge samples ranged from 92 to 96%, with a relative standard deviation of 10%. Recoveries in the certified sludge using slurry sampling GF-AAS technique were about 103% for a cobalt content of 7.39 mg/kg.     

Electrothermal vaporization dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the determination of Fe,Co, Ni,Cu, and Zn in biological samples

Slurry sampling electrothermal vaporization dynamic reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-DRC-ICP-MS) has been applied to determine Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn in biological samples. The influences of instrument operating conditions and slurry preparation on the ion signals were reported. Pd was used as the modifier. The effectiveness of the ETV sample introduction technique and dynamic reaction cell in alleviating various spectral interferences in ICP-MS analysis has been demonstrated. This method has been applied to determine Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn in NIST SRM 1573a tomato leaves reference material and NRCC DORM-2 dogfish muscle reference material and also real samples such as a tea and a swordfish sample purchased locally. Since the sensitivities of the elements studied in slurry and aqueous solution were different, an analyte addition technique was used for the determinations. The analytical results of the reference materials agreed with the certified values. The precision between sample replicates was better than 6% for all determinations. The method detection limit estimated from analyte addition curves was 0.01, 0.006, 0.007, 0.004, and 0.006 μg g⁻¹ for Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, and Zn, respectively, in the original biological samples.