Investigation of 2-[2-(4-Methoxy-phenylamino)-vinyl]-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indolium Chloride as a New Reagent for the Determination of Chromium(VI)

 The complex formation and extraction of chromium(VI) with 2-[2-(4-methoxy-phenylamino)-vinyl]-1,3,3-trimethyl-3H-indolium chloride reagent was studied by means of spectrophotometry. The influence of medium acidity, the concentration of chloride ions and dye reagent, the nature of the extractant and some other factors (time of extraction, stability of color, interference, etc.) on the absorbance of colored extracts were studied. The optimum conditions were found to be 0.02–0.1 M H₂SO₄, 1.0–1.5 M NaCl, (2.0–2.5) × 10⁻⁴ M of reagent. The absorbance of the colored extracts obeys Beer’s Law in the range of 0.26–7.28 mg L⁻¹. The procedure of Cr(VI) extraction and spectrophotometric determination was examined. Author for correspondence. E-mail: andruch@kosice.upjs.sk Received November 19, 2002; accepted March 10, 2003 Published online June 13, 2003     

Speciation,separation and enrichment of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental samples by ion-pair solvent extraction using a β-diketone ligand

A simple speciation, separation and enrichment method has been developed for the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) ions in different samples by ion-pair solvent extraction with a β-diketone ligand, 2-(4-methoxybenzoyl)-N′-benzylidene-3-(4-methoxyphenyl)-3-oxo-N-phenyl-propono hydrazide (MBMP). Cr(III) was separated from Cr(VI) as Cr(III)-(MBMP)-perchlorate ternary ion-pair complex. The influences of various analytical parameters including pH, amount of reagent, shaking time, sample volume and ionic strength on the recovery of Cr(III) and/or Cr(VI) were investigated. Total chromium was obtained after reducing Cr(VI) to Cr(III) with NH₂OH?·?HCl. Recoveries were found to be higher than 95% and the relative standard deviation (RSD) was less than 2%. The method detection limit based on 3σ criterion for Cr(III) was found to be 0.32?µg?L^?1. The formed ternary ion-pair complex, Cr(III)?:?MBMP?:?2ClO₄, has a molar ratio of 1?:?1?:?2. The developed method has been applied successfully to the speciation of chromium in various natural water, soil, sediment and hair samples with satisfactory results.     

Flow injection fluorimetric determination of chromium(VI) in electroplating baths by luminescence quenching of tris(2,2'-bipyridyl) ruthenium(II)

A sensitive and selective luminescence quenching method is developed and used for manual and flow injection analysis (FIA) of chromium(VI) by reaction with [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺. The emission peak of ruthenium(II) at 595 nm is linearly decreased as a function of Cr(VI) concentration. This permits determination of chromium(VI) ion over the concentration range 0.1-20 μg ml⁻¹ with a detection limit of 33 ng ml⁻¹. The quenching process is due to an electron transfer from the luminescent [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ complex ion to Cr(VI) resulting in the formation of the non-luminescent [Ru(bpy)₃]³⁺ complex ion. Selectivity for Cr(VI) over many anions and transition, alkali and alkaline earth metal cations is demonstrated. High concentration levels of sulphate, chloride, borate, acetate, phosphate, nitrate, cyanide, Pb²⁺, Zn²⁺, Hg²⁺, Cu²⁺, Cd²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Mn²⁺ ions are tolerated. The effects of solution pH and [Ru(bpy)₃]²⁺ reagent concentration are examined and the reaction conditions are optimized. Validation of the method according to the quality assurance standards show suitability of the proposed method for use in the quality control assessment of Cr(VI) in complex matrices without prior treatment. The method is successfully applied to determine chromium(VI) in electroplating baths using flow injection analysis. Results with a mean standard deviation of ±0.6% are obtained which compare fairly well with data obtained using atomic absorption spectrometry.     

Preconcentration of total chromium on Dowex 50W-X8 resin loaded with 2-amino-benzenethiol

Application of Dowex 50W-X8 loaded with 2-amino-benzenethiol for preconcentration of total chromium (Cr(VI) and Cr(III)) in water samples and subsequent determination by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry was studied. The reagent 2-amino-benzenethiol loaded onto the resin effectively reduced Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and total chromium (both Cr(VI) and Cr(III)) formed chelate complex with the reagent in the Cr(III) valence state. Experimental parameters such as preconcentration time, solution flow rates, pH, and concentration of the eluent were optimized. The method has been applied for the determination of total chromium in seawater samples in the range of 0.1–200?µg?L^?1. A detection limit of 0.3?µg?L^?1 was achieved, and the relative standard deviation was about 5%.     

Extraction of chromium(VI) with blue tetrazolium chloride and tetranitrotetrazolium blue chloride

The optimum conditions for extraction of microquantities of chromium(VI) as an ion-association complex with blue tetrazolium chloride (BTC) and tetranitrotetrazolium blue chloride (TNBT) has been determined. The extracted species was a 1: 2 of the BTC and TNBT cation and the chlorochromate anion. Beer’s law was obeyed in the range of 0.04–0.8 μg/mL Cr(VI) for BTC and 0.1–1.6 μg/mL Cr(VI) for TNBT. The molar absorptivities were ?₂₅₅ = 7.77 × 10⁴ L/(mol cm) (for BTC) and ?₂₇₅ = 2.04 × 10⁴ L/(mol cm) (for TNBT). Sandell’s sensitivity of the systems were found to be 6.69 × 10^?4 μg/cm² (for BTC) and 2.55 × 10^?3 μg/cm² (for TNBT). Limit of detection (LOD) is 8.55 ng/mL and limit of quantitation (LOQ) is 0.028 μg/mL Cr(VI) for BTC. For TNBT, LOD is 0.031 μg/mL and LOQ is 0.103 μg/mL. The characteristic values for the extraction equilibrium and the equilibrium in the aqueous phase have been determined. A sensitive method for determination of trace of chromium(VI) in plants has been developed.     

Study of Cr(VI)-2-oximinodimedone dithiosemicarbazone reaction and simultaneous determination of Cr(VI) and Fe(III)

Summary 2-Oximinodimedone dithiosemicarbazone reacts with Cr(VI) in strongly acid medium. The orange colour obtained has been used to propose a spectrophotometric method of Cr(VI) determination in the concentration range 0.40–9.5g ml^–1 (=5600 mole^–1-cm^–1 at 485 nm). The stoichiometry of the reaction is 32 (reagentCr(VI)) which is in accordance with the oxidation reaction of the reagent by Cr(VI). The method has been applied to the determination of Cr(VI) and Fe(III) in ceramic materials.

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Eine Studie zur Cr(VI)-2-oximinodimedondithiosemicarbazon-Reaktion und die simultane Bestimmung von Cr(VI) und Fe(III)

Zusammenfassung 2-Oximinodimedonedithiosemicarbazon reagiert in stark saurem Milieu mit Cr(VI). Die orange Farbe kann im Konzentrationsbereich von 0.4–9,5g/ml zur spektrophotometrischen Cr(VI)-Bestimmung verwendet werden (=5600 1 mol^–1cm^–1bei 485 nm). Die Stöchiometrie der Reaktion ist 32 (Reagens: Cr(VI)) und entspricht der Oxidation des Reagens durch Cr(VI). Die Methode wurde zur Bestimmung von Cr(VI) und Fe(III) in keramischen Materialien eingesetzt.

     

Determination of Cr(VI) in the presence of Cr(III) and humic acid by cathodic stripping voltammetry

A voltammetric procedure in the flow system for determination of traces of Cr(VI) in the presence of Cr(III) and humic acid is presented. The calibration graph is linear from 5×10⁻¹⁰ to 1×10⁻⁷ mol l⁻¹ for an accumulation time of 120 s. The R.S.D. for 1×10⁻⁸ mol l⁻¹ Cr(VI) is 5.3% (n=5). The detection limit estimated from 3σ for a low concentration of Cr(VI) and accumulation time of 120 s is 2×10⁻¹⁰ mol l⁻¹. The method can be used for Cr(VI) determination in the presence of up to 50 mg l⁻¹ of humic acid. The validation of the method was carried out by studying the recovery of Cr(VI) from spiked river water and by the comparison of the results of determination of Cr(VI) in a soil sample. The method cannot be used for analysis of samples containing high concentrations of chloride ions such as seawater and estuarine water.     

Simultaneous, sensitive and selective on-line chemiluminescence determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) by capillary electrophoresis

A novel in-capillary reduction and capillary electrophoretic (CE)-chemiluminescence (CL) method was developed for the sensitive and selective determination of chromium(III) and chromium(VI). The proposed method was based on the in-capillary reduction of Cr(VI) with acidic H₂O₂ to form Cr(III) using the zone-passing technique and chemiluminescence detection of Cr(III). The sample [Cr³⁺ and CrO₄²⁻], hydrochloric acid, and H₂O₂ (reductant) solution segments were injected for specified periods of time in this order from the anodic end of a capillary, followed by application of an appropriate running voltage between both ends. As both chromium species have opposite charges, Cr³⁺ migrates to the cathode while CrO₄²⁻ ion, moving oppositely to the anode, reacts with acidic H₂O_2, resulted in formation of Cr³⁺. Based on the migration time difference of both Cr³⁺ ions, they were separated by zone electrophoresis. Running buffer was composed of 0.02 mol l⁻¹ HAc-NaAc (pH 4.7) with 1×10⁻³ mol l⁻¹ EDTA. Parameters affecting CE-CL separation and detection, such as reductant concentration, mixing mode of the analytes with CL reagent, CL reaction reagent pH and concentration, stability of luminol-hydrogen peroxide mixed solution were optimized. The limits of detection for chromium(III) and chromium(VI) (3σ) were 6×10⁻¹³ mol l⁻¹ (mass concentration 12 zmol) and 8×10⁻¹² mol l⁻¹ (160 zmol), respectively. This method offered potential advantages of simplicity, sensitivity, selectivity and applicability to the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental water.     

Stability of fluoroquinolone antibiotics in river water samples and in octadecyl silica solid-phase extraction cartridges

Airborne particulate matter has been sampled at a location close to a metallurgical plant in North-Rhine-Westphalia, Germany, and first results on the chromium(VI) content in the collected dust are presented. A special procedure using a scrubber as sampling device was used to preserve Cr(VI) during the sampling procedure. The scrubber solution which consisted of 0.1 mol L^–1 TRIS-buffer solution was adjusted to a slightly alkaline pH of 8.6 to reduce the oxidation potential of Cr(VI) and to avoid possible oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI), for example by oxygen (or ozone at ambient concentrations). After sampling Cr(VI) was pre-concentrated on an anion-exchange material and eluted with aqueous 0.6 mol L^–1 sodium perchlorate solution. After elution, a species-selective complex of Cr(VI) with diphenylcarbazide (DPC) was prepared; this was extracted into n-hexanol and quantified by UV–visible spectrophotometry. A detection limit of 0.9 ng m^–3 for Cr(VI) in ambient aerosols can be achieved with this method.     

A novel flow injection chemiluminescence determination of Cr(VI) with Dichlorotris(1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II)

A selective novel reverse flow injection system with chemiluminescence detection (rFI-CL) for the determination of Cr(VI) in presence of Cr(III) with Dichlorotris (1,10-phenanthroline)ruthenium(II), (Ru(phen)₃Cl₂), is described in this work. This new method is based on the oxidation capacity of Cr(VI) in H₂SO₄ media. First, the Ruthenium(II) complex is oxidized to Ruthenium(III) complex by Cr(VI) and afterwards it is reduced to the excited state of the Ruthenium(II) complex by a sodium oxalate solution, emitting light inside the detector. The intensity of chemiluminescence (CL) is proportional to the concentration of Cr(VI) and, under optimum conditions, it can be determined over the range of 3-300 μg L⁻¹ with a detection limit of 0.9 μg L⁻¹. The RSD was 8.4% and 1.5% at 5 and 50 μg L⁻¹, respectively. For the rFI-CL method various analytical parameters were optimized: flow rate (1 mL min⁻¹), H₂SO₄ carrier concentration (20% w/V), Ru(phen)₃Cl₂ concentration (5 mM) and sodium oxalate concentration (0.1 M). The effect of Cr(III), Fe(III), Al(III), Cd(II), Zn(II), Hg(II), Pb(II), Ca(II) and Mg(II), was studied. The method is highly sensitive and selective, allowing a fast, on-line determination of Cr(VI) in the presence of Cr(III). Finally, the method was tested in four different water samples (tap, reservoir, well and mineral), with good recovery percentage.     

Simultaneous determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) with prechelation of Cr(III) using phthalate by ion interaction chromatography with a C-18 column

Ion interaction chromatography has been successfully used for the simultaneous determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in waste water. A C-18 column which had been dynamically coated with octylamine was used for the separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) based on anionic interaction. Cr(III) was chelated with potassium hydrogen phthalate (KHP) before injecting into the column since the Cr(III) did not exist in an anionic form like the Cr(VI) (Cr₂O₇²⁻) presented at the optimum condition. The analytes were detected at 200 nm and linear relationship between absorption with the concentration of Cr(III) or Cr(VI) was 0.1-50 mg/L. Most of the interested interferences including alkali metals, heavy metals and organic materials have no significant effect on Cr(III)-KHP complexation and Cr(VI) stability, only NH₄⁺ and ascorbic acid yielded the serious effect on the Cr(VI) stability. The relative standard deviations calculated from both of peak area and retention time were 0.75-2.20%. The sensitivity of the method at the level concentration of sub mg/L enabled the simultaneous determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) contents in waste water samples without any special sample preparation step.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in waters using immobilized moss and determination by ICP-MS and FAAS

The possibility of using moss (Funaria hygrometrica), immobilized in a polysilicate matrix as substrate for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in various water samples has been investigated. Experiments were performed to optimize conditions such as pH, amount of sorbent and flow rate, to achieve the quantitative separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI). During all the steps of the separation process, Cr(III) was selectively sorbed on the column of immobilized moss in the pH range of 4-8 while, Cr(VI) was found to remain in solution. The retained Cr(III) was subsequently eluted with 10 ml of 2 mol l⁻¹ HNO₃. A pre-concentration factor of about 20 was achieved for Cr(III) when, 200 ml of water was passed. The immobilized moss was packed in a home made mini-column and incorporated in flow injection system for obtaining calibration plots for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) at low ppb levels that were compared with the plots obtained without column. After separation, the chromium (Cr) species were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The sorption capacity of the immobilized moss was found to be ∼11.5 mg g⁻¹ for Cr(III). The effect of various interfering ions has also been studied. The proposed method was applied successfully for the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in spiked and real wastewater samples and recoveries were found to be >95%.     

Preconcentration and separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) using sawdust as a sorbent

A simple, inexpensive method based on solid-phase extraction (SPE) on sawdust from Cedrus deodera has been developed for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental water samples. Because different exchange capacities were observed for the two forms of chromium at different pH—Cr(III) was selectively retained at pH 3 to 4 whereas Cr(VI) was retained at pH 1—complete separation of the two forms of chromium is possible. Retained species were eluted with 2.5 mL 0.1 mol L⁻¹ HCl and 0.1 mol L⁻¹ NaOH. Detection limits of 0.05 and 0.04 μg mL⁻¹ were achieved for Cr(III) and Cr(VI), respectively, with enrichment factors of 100 and 80. Recovery was quantitative using 250 mL sample volume for Cr(III) and 200 mL for Cr(VI). Different kinetic and thermodynamic properties that affect sorption of the chromium species on the sawdust were also determined. Metal ion concentration was measured as the Cr(VI)–diphenylcarbazide complex by UV–visible spectroscopy. The method was successfully applied for speciation of chromium in environmental and industrial water samples.     

Flow injection direct spectrophotometric assay for the speciation of trace chromium(III) and chromium(VI) using chromotropic acid as chromogenic reagent

A new rapid and sensitive FI assay is reported for the simultaneous direct spectrophotometric determination of trace Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in real samples. The method is based upon the reaction of Cr(VI) with chromotropic acid (CA) in highly acidic medium to form a water-soluble complex (λ_max = 370 nm). Cr(III) reacts with CA only after its on-line oxidation to Cr(VI) by alkaline KIO₄. The determination of each chromium species in the sample was achieved by absorbance differences. The calibration curves were linear over the range 3-4000 μg l⁻¹ and 30-1200 μg l⁻¹ for Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively, while the precision close to the quantitation limit was satisfactory in both cases (s_r = 3.0% for Cr(VI) and 4.0% for Cr(III) (n = 10) at 10 and 50 μg l⁻¹ level, respectively). The method developed proved to be adequately selective and sensitive (c_L = 1 and 10 μg l⁻¹ for Cr(VI) and Cr(III), respectively). The application of the method to the analysis of water samples (tap and mineral water) gave accurate results based on recovery studies (93-106%). Analytical results of real sample analysis were in good agreement with certified values.     

Synthesis, characterization, X-ray structural analysis and study of oxidative properties of a chlorochromate(VI) complex with benzyltriphenylphosphonium cation

Benzyltriphenylphosphonium chlorochromate(VI), [(PhCH₂)Ph₃P][CrO₃Cl], BTriPPCC, is easily synthesized in a nearly quantitative yield by direct reaction of Cr(VI) oxide and benzyltriphenylphosphonium chloride. The complex was characterized by physico-chemical and spectroscopic methods. The use of phosphonium counter ion, improves the quality of the BTriPPCC crystals. The compound was indeed crystallized and structurally characterized by X-ray diffraction at 170(2) K. This compound is a versatile reagent for the efficient and selective oxidation of organic substrates, in particular of alcohols to the corresponding aldehydes or ketones, in mild conditions. Due to the stability and solubility of BTriPPCC, the reactions can be performed at room temperature and the separation of the products is easy.     

Facile preparation of glutathione-stabilized gold nanoclusters for selective determination of chromium (III) and chromium (VI) in environmental water samples

A novel method for selective determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental water samples was developed based on target-induced fluorescence quenching of glutathione-stabilized gold nanoclusters (GSH-Au NCs). Fluorescent GSH-Au NCs were synthesized by a one-step approach employing GSH as reducing/protecting reagent. It was found that Cr(III) and Cr(VI) showed pH-dependent fluorescence quenching capabilities for GSH-Au NCs, and thus selective determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) could be achieved at different pHs. Addition of EDTA was able to effectively eliminate the interferences from other metal ions, leading to a good selectivity for this method. Under optimized conditions, Cr(III) showed a linear range of 25–3800 μg L⁻¹ and a limit of detection (LOD) of 2.5 μg L⁻¹. The Cr(VI) ion demonstrated a linear range of 5–500 μg L⁻¹ and LOD of 0.5 μg L⁻¹. The run-to-run relative standard deviations (n = 5) for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) were 3.9% and 2.8%, respectively. The recoveries of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental water samples were also satisfactory (76.3–116%). This method, with its simplicity, low cost, high selectivity and sensitivity, could be used as a promising tool for chromium analysis in environmental water samples.     

Separation and spectrophotometric determination of very low levels of Cr(VI) in water samples by novel pyridine-functionalized mesoporous silica

A modified SBA-15 mesoporous silica was developed, as an adsorbent, for the removal of Cr(VI) ions from natural-water samples. The effects of experimental parameters, including pH of solution, sample and eluent flow rate, the eluent composition, the eluent volume, and the effect of coexisting ions on the separation and determination of Cr(VI), were investigated. It was shown that Cr(VI) was selectively adsorbed from aqueous solution at pH 3, but Cr(III) could be adsorbed from solution at alkaline pH range. The retained Cr(VI) was eluted with 0.5?mol?L^?1 KCl solution in 0.1?mol?L^?1 Na₂CO₃ subsequently. Under the optimum conditions, the modified mesoporous silica (py-SBA-15) with a high pore diameter exhibited an adsorption capacity of 136?mg?g^?1 and a lower limit of detection than 2.3?µg?L^?1 by using diphenylcarbazide as a chromophorous reagent for the determination of Cr(VI) ions. A preconcentration factor as high as 200 was calculated for Cr(VI). The loaded py-SBA-15 can be reactivated with recovery of more than 98.5% over at least eight cycles. The relative standard deviation (RSD) for Cr(VI) ion recovery was less than 1.8%. Validation of the outlined method was performed by analysing a certified reference material (BCR 544). The proposed method was applied to determine Cr(VI) value in natural and waste water samples successfully.     

Triphenyltetrazolium chloride as a new analytical reagent for molybdenum(VI): Application to plant analysis

Solvent extraction of molybdenum(VI) ion associate with triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) has been studied. TTC was proposed as reagent for the spectrophotometric determination of micro amounts of molybdenum(VI) at λ_max 250 nm. The optimum conditions for extraction of molybdenum(VI) as an ionassociation complex with TTC has been determined. Beer’s law is obeyed in the range of 0.5–10 μg/mL molybdenum(VI). The molar absorptivity of the ion-pair is 1 × 10⁶ L/mol cm. The sensitivity of the method is 9.6 × 10⁻⁵ μg/cm². The characteristic values for the extraction equilibrium and the equilibrium in the aqueous phase are: distribution constant K _D = 32.64, extraction constant K _ex = 2.19 × 10¹⁰ association constant β = 6.71 × 10⁸. The interferences of different cations, anions on molybdenum(VI) determination were also investigated. A sensitive and selective method for the determination of microquantities of molybdenum(VI) has been developed. The determination was carried out without preliminary separation of molybdenum. A novel procedure of molybdenum(VI) extraction and spectrophotometric determination in different plant samples was examined.     

Chemical speciation of chromium(III,VI) employing extractive spectrophotometry and tetraphenylarsonium chloride or tetraphenylphosphonium bromide as ion-pair reagent

A simple and accurate extractive spectrophotometric procedure for the chemical speciation of chromium(III,VI) species in aqueous media has been developed. The method is based upon the extraction of the complex ion-associate formed between the chloro chromate (CrO₃Cl⁻) anion and the ion-pair reagent tetraphenylarsonium chloride (TPAs⁺Cl⁻) or tetraphenylphosphonium bromide (TPP⁺Br⁻) at pH ≤ 0 in chloroform followed by direct spectrophotometric measurement at 355 nm. The optimum concentration range evaluated by Beer-Lambert's law, Ringbom's plot, the molar absorptivity, the Sandell's sensitivity, the extraction and stability constants (K_D, K_ex and β), the stoichiometry and the extraction equilibria of the produced complex ion-associates have been determined and gave a convenient applications of the investigated system for analytical purposes. Chromium(III) was also determined by the proposed procedure after prior oxidation to chromate with H₂O₂ in alkaline solution. The method has been applied successfully for the analysis of chromium(VI) and total chromium(III,VI) in industrial wastewater of electroplating plant.     

Flow injection solid phase extraction electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of Cr(VI) by selective separation and preconcentration on a lab-made hybrid mesoporous solid microcolumn

A lab-made hybrid mesoporous solid was employed in a flow injection solid phase extraction electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometric (FI–SPE–ETAAS) system for the selective retention of Cr(VI). The solid was prepared by co-condensation of sodium tetraethylortosilicate and 3-aminopropyltriethoxysilane by sol–gel methodology and one-pot synthesis and characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X ray diffraction spectroscopy, and scanning electronic microscopy. Adsorption capacities at different pH values of both, Cr(VI) and Cr(III), were also measured in order to obtain the optimum retention for Cr(VI) with no interference of Cr(III). The maximum capacity of adsorption (4.35 mmol g^− 1) was observed for pH values between 2–3, whilst Cr(III) was found to remain in solution (adsorption capacity = 0.007 mmol g^− 1). Then, a microcolumn (bed volume: 7.9 µL) was filled with the solid and inserted in the FI–ETAAS system for analytical purposes. Since the analyte was strongly retained by the filling in the anionic form, 0.1 mol L^− 1 hydroxylammonium chloride in 1 mol L^− 1 hydrochloric acid was selected as eluent due to its redox characteristics. In this way, the sorbed Cr(VI) was easily released in the cationic form. The enrichment factor (EF) was found as a compromise between sensitivity and sample throughput and a value of 27 was obtained under optimized conditions: pH 2, sample loading 2 mL min^− 1 (60 s), elution flow rate 0.5 ml min^− 1 (eluent volume: 75 μL).