Validation of a simplified field-adapted procedure for routine determinations of methyl mercury at trace levels in natural water samples using species-specific isotope dilution mass spectrometry

A field-adapted procedure based on species-specific isotope dilution (SSID) methodology for trace-level determinations of methyl mercury (CH₃Hg⁺) in mire, fresh and sea water samples was developed, validated and applied in a field study. In the field study, mire water samples were filtered, standardised volumetrically with isotopically enriched CH₃²⁰⁰Hg⁺, and frozen on dry ice. The samples were derivatised in the laboratory without further pre-treatment using sodium tetraethyl borate (NaB(C₂H₅)₄) and the ethylated methyl mercury was purge-trapped on Tenax columns. The analyte was thermo-desorbed onto a GC-ICP-MS system for analysis. Investigations preceding field application of the method showed that when using SSID, for all tested matrices, identical results were obtained between samples that were freeze-preserved or analysed unpreserved. For DOC-rich samples (mire water) additional experiments showed no difference in CH₃Hg⁺ concentration between samples that were derivatised without pre-treatment or after liquid extraction. Extractions of samples for matrix–analyte separation prior to derivatisation are therefore not necessary. No formation of CH₃Hg⁺ was observed during sample storage and treatment when spiking samples with ¹⁹⁸Hg²⁺. Total uncertainty budgets for the field application of the method showed that for analyte concentrations higher than 1.5 pg g^–1 (as Hg) the relative expanded uncertainty (REU) was approximately 5% and dominated by the uncertainty in the isotope standard concentration. Below 0.5 pg g^–1 (as Hg), the REU was >10% and dominated by variations in the field blank. The uncertainty of the method is sufficiently low to accurately determine CH₃Hg⁺ concentrations at trace levels. The detection limit was determined to be 4 fg g^–1 (as Hg) based on replicate analyses of laboratory blanks. The described procedure is reliable, considerably faster and simplified compared to non-SSID methods and thereby very suitable for routine applications of CH₃Hg⁺ speciation analysis in a wide range of water samples.     

Comparative study of different techniques for nitrate determination in environmental water samples

Summary Three different methods for nitrate determination in environmental samples were comparatively examined. The influences of Cl^–, NO ₂ ^– , Fe²⁺ and Fe³⁺ in different concentrations were also investigated. From the data obtained it is concluded that the cadmium reduction method is the most suitable for every type of environmental water samples. On the contrary, the electrode screening method suffers from many interferences and is not suitable for any type of sample. The direct spectrophotometric method has been found to be applicable mostly for fresh water samples.

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Vergleichende Untersuchung verschiedener Verfahren zur Nitratbestimmung in Wässern

     

Determination of fluorine in coral skeletons by instrumental neutron activation analysis

Summary A systematic and non-destructive technique is proposed for the determination of fluorine in coral samples by instrumental neutron activation analysis using the ¹⁹F(n,γ)²⁰F reaction. About 50 to 80-mg samples in polypropylene capsules were irradiated for 15 seconds in the pneumatic transfer tube system (PN-3) of JRR-3M reactor. After the irradiation at a thermal neutron flux of 1.5 ^. 10¹³ n ^. cm^{-2 .} s^-1, the coral samples and standards were cooled for 6 seconds and the g-rays emitted were measured for 15 seconds with a Ge detector. The sequence from sample irradiation to g-ray counting was performed under a computer-control mode. The analytical precision was ~5% for the JCp-1 coral standard. The present method was applied to the determination of fluorine in corals from Thailand, Okinawa and the Philippines. The advantage of one method over destructive techniques is discussed by comparing the analytical results obtained for the JCp-1 coral standard using INAA, ion chromatography and spectrophotometry. Factors that may control the levels of fluorine in corals are also discussed.     

Simultaneous multi-species determination of trimethyllead,monomethylmercury and three butyltin compounds by species-specific isotope dilution GC–ICP–MS in biological samples

An accurate and sensitive multi-species species-specific isotope dilution GC–ICP–MS method was developed for the simultaneous determination of trimethyllead (Me₃Pb⁺), monomethylmercury (MeHg⁺) and the three butyltin species Bu₃Sn⁺, Bu₂Sn²⁺, and BuSn³⁺ in biological samples. The method was validated by three biological reference materials (CRM 477, mussel tissue certified for butyltins; CRM 463, tuna fish certified for MeHg⁺; DORM 2, dogfish muscle certified for MeHg⁺). Under certain conditions, and with minor modifications of the sample pretreatment procedure, this method could also be transferred to environmental samples such as sediments, as demonstrated by analyzing sediment reference material BCR 646 (freshwater sediment, certified for butyltins). The detection limits of the multi-species GC–ICP–IDMS method for biological samples were 1.4 ng g⁻¹ for MeHg⁺, 0.06 ng g⁻¹ for Me₃Pb⁺, 0.3 ng g⁻¹ for BuSn³⁺ and Bu₃Sn⁺, and 1.2 ng g⁻¹ for Bu₂Sn²⁺. Because of the high relevance of these heavy metal alkyl species to the quality assurance of seafood, the method was also applied to corresponding samples purchased from a supermarket. The methylated lead fraction in these samples, correlated to total lead, varied over a broad range (from 0.01% to 7.6%). On the other hand, the MeHg⁺ fraction was much higher, normally in the range of 80–100%. Considering that we may expect tighter legislative limitations on MeHg⁺ levels in seafood in the future, we found the highest methylmercury contents (up to 10.6 μg g⁻¹) in two shark samples, an animal which is at the end of the marine food chain, whereas MeHg⁺ contents of less than 0.2 μg g⁻¹ were found in most other seafood samples; these results correlate with the idea that MeHg⁺ is usually of biological origin in the marine environment. The concentration of butyltins and the fraction of the total tin content that is from butyltins strongly depend on possible contamination, due to the exclusively anthropogenic character of these compounds. A broad variation in the butylated tin fraction (in the range of <0.3–49%) was therefore observed in different seafood samples. Corresponding isotope-labeled spike compounds (except for trimethyllead) are commercially available for all of these compounds, and since these can be used in the multi-species species-specific GC-ICP-IDMS method developed here, this technique shows great potential for routine analysis in the future.     

An experimental approach for the development of direct-absorption sampling method for determination of trimethylsilanol and volatile methylsiloxanes by the GC-MS technique in landfill gas

This paper reports on an absorption method used for the determination of six target volatile methylsiloxanes and trimethylsilanol existing in raw biogas samples by means of a special and portable sampling train system. After biogas sampling (no accurate pump needed), the samples obtained were analysed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The optimisation of the used solvent was carried out, and acetone was selected as the preferred liquid medium for trapping the siloxanes. The results clearly showed that using pure acetone and a mixture of acetone and water (97/3% = v/v) ensures very good solvation of silicon-contained molecules; thus the sampling procedure was more accurate. Replicate samples showed that the relative standard deviation of the method was less than 5.7% and 6.3% for methylsiloxanes as well as less than 2.1% and 2.4% for trimethylsilanol analysed 24 and 72 hours after sampling, respectively. Furthermore, limits of detection were determined theoretically and experimentally. The limits of detection for siloxanes and trimethylsilanol were in the range 0.04–0.11 mg/Nm³ and 0.08–0.12 mg/Nm³, respectively. The limit of quantification for trimethylsilanol was 0.1 mg/Nm³, whereas the limit for siloxanes ranged from 0.1 to 0.13 mg/Nm³. Finally, raw biogas samples were successfully analysed by the developed method. Trimethylsilanol and methylsiloxanes were found in the concentrations of 34.5 mg/Nm³ and 1.7–20 mg/Nm³ in the analysed raw biogas, respectively.     

Measurement of 241Pu in Environmental Samples

Concentrations of ²⁴¹Pu in the air and deposition samples in Finland after the 1986 Chernobyl accident were estimated with the aid of ingrowth of ²⁴¹Am. Plutonium-241 was clearly shown to be present in the Chernobyl fallout in Finland. Pu was unevenly distributed and the mean radioactivity ratio of ²⁴¹/^239,240Pu was 70 for air and 71 for deposition samples. Here, a radiochemical method for determination of ²⁴¹Pu in the environmental samples was also developed. The method was based on the liquid scintillation measurement of ²⁴¹Pu with a pulse shape analyser after Pu separation. Efficiency calibration was performed with the aid of ³H standard instead of the ²⁴¹Pu standard. The method was tested by comparing the results with the method of ²⁴¹Am ingrowth and some reference samples. The detection limit for ²⁴¹Pu was 0.007 Bq per sample. The ²⁴¹Pu concentrations in the sediment samples taken from the Baltic Sea varied between <0.5 and 27 Bq·kg^-1. The effect of the Chernobyl accident could be seen both from the ²⁴¹Pu concentrations and from the Pu isotope ratios in vertical distributions of sliced samples.     

Determination of N-Nitroso Compounds in the Environment of a Metal Factory Using Metalworking Fluids

Abstract

By use of GLC-ECD and HPLC-TEA techniques for N-nitroso compounds, N-nitroso-diethanolamine (NDELA) has been found in concentrations of 1.4–6.0 μg/m³ and 1.3–5.0μg/m³ respectively in all four air samples collected in the environment of a metalworking plant during metallurgical operations. NDELA was quantitated in air samples by GLC-ECD after converting it to its trifluoroacetyl derivative by reaction with the appropriate anhydride. NDELA was analyzed without derivatization in air samples using HPLC-TEA method. N-nitrosodimethylamine (NDMA) and N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) were also identified and later determined in two out of four air samples in concentrations of 0.08μg/m³ (for NDMA in both samples) and 0.14–0.16μg/m³ (for NDEA) using GLC-TEA procedure. The described method did not cause artifactual formation of N-nitrosomethyl-N-butylamine (NMBA) when methyl-N-butylamine was used as an internal marker of nitrosation during collection of NDELA in impinger traps.     

A method for the determination of vanadium and iron oxidation states in naturally occurring oxides and silicates

A valence-specific analytical method for determining V³⁺ in ore minerals has been developed that involves two steps: dissolution of a mineral sample without disturbing the V³⁺/V^tot ratio, followed by determination of V³⁺ in the presence of V⁴⁺. The samples are dissolved in a mixture of hydrofluoric and sulphuric acids at 100° in Teflon-lined reaction vessels. Tervalent vanadium is then determined colorimetrically by formation of a V³⁺-thiocyanate complex in aqueous-acetone medium. Fe³⁺ is measured semi-quantitatively in the same solution. The method has been tested with two naturally occurring samples containing vanadium and iron. The results obtained were supported by those obtained by other methods, including electron spin resonance spectroscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, and Mössbauer spectroscopy.     

Determination of low-level99Tc in environmental samples by high resolution ICP-MS

An analytical method has been developed for the determination of low-level⁹⁹Tc in environmental samples by High Resolution ICP-MS. The method consists of leaching of⁹⁹Tc by HNO₃ and separation by three different solvent extractions with 30% TOA-xylene, MEK, and cyclohexanone. Finally, purification of⁹⁹Tc was made by using an anion exchange resin column to reduce dissolved solids content. The final solution was adjusted to 1M HNO₃ for introducing into the HR-ICP-MS. The accuracy and precision of the method was confirmed to be satisfactory by applying this technique to the determination of⁹⁹Tc in IAEA marine algae sample (AG-B-1). Measurements of⁹⁹Tc using 0.5–2.5 g of sediment samples from the Irish Sea, UK, were successfully performed by the present method.     

Determination of β-blockers in pharmaceutical preparations and human urine by high-performance liquid chromatography with tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) electrogenerated chemiluminescence detection

A highly selective and sensitive detection method based on tris(2,2′-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II) [Ru(bpy)₃²⁺] electrogenerated chemiluminescence (ECL) has been developed for the quantitative determination of β-blockers in both pharmaceutical preparations and human urine samples. The ECL emission is based on the reaction between electro-oxidized Ru(bpy)₃³⁺ and the secondary amino groups on the β-blockers. The ECL intensities for the β-blockers were strongly dependent on the pH at which the ECL detections were conducted, with the maximum intensities being obtained at pH 9.0. Under the optimal condition, the detection limit for atenolol and metoprolol were almost 0.5 μM (50 pmol) and 0.08 μM (8 pmol), respectively, with S/N of 3 and a linear working range that extends four orders of magnitude with relative standard deviations below 5% for 10 replicate injected samples. The concentrations of atenolol and metoprolol were determined in pharmaceutical preparations using flow injection analysis with Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL detection based on standard addition method. The determined values by the present method showed acceptable agreement with the stated values by manufacturers. The determination of the five β-blockers in human urine samples was performed using HPLC-Ru(bpy)₃²⁺ ECL detection. The resulting chromatogram was much simpler than that obtained with HPLC-UV absorbance detection.     

Experimental strategy of the spectrophotometric approach using freeze-drying for PO43− determination in frozen and chilled chickens in the Saudi Arabia market

Herein, an efficient analytical method based on an extraction protocol was developed and validated for the spectrophotometric detection of phosphate (PO₄^3?) in chilled and frozen chicken samples. The preparation was a very simple sample that included freeze-drying, extraction with acidified amino acids and filtration of the final extract prior to spectrophotometric analysis. FT-IR spectrum of CS1 was confirmed that the selected solvent has successfully extracted PO₄^3? from the chilled chicken sample. Analytical performances were assessed in chilled of one of the merchant species and showed good recoveries with relative standard deviations (RSD) below 2%. The analytical validation parameters of the method in terms of limit of quantification (LOQ) and detection (LOD) were calculated and found to be 0.10 and 0.032 mg/L, respectively. This protocol has been effectively applied to PO₄^3? determination in chicken samples collected from Saudi supermarkets (Northern KSA), and PO₄^3? in all frozen samples was detected at high mg/kg levels ranging from 2.11 × 10⁴ to 2.90 × 10⁴ mg/kg, while in limit levels of PO₄^3? concentration were detected in the chilled samples except chilled sample 1 (CS1), which was 2.22 × 10⁴ mg/kg. The extraction and determination protocol suggested that this developed method could be validated for routine monitoring of PO₄^3? in food quality control laboratories and safety monitoring.     

Determination of Copper and Zinc Ions by Flame-AAS After Preconcentraction Using Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate Coated Alumina Modified with 3-((1H-Indol-3-yl)-3,4,5-trimethyl)-1H-indole

A sensitive and simple method for the simultaneous preconcentration of trace amount Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ ions in some real samples has been established, which is based on the sorption of Cu²⁺ and Zn²⁺ on 3‐((1H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐3,4,5‐trimethyl)‐1H‐indole (ITMI) loaded on sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) coated alumina. The metal absorbed on the complexes was eluted using 3 mol/L nitric acid. The influences of the analytical parameters including pH and sample volume were investigated. The effects of matrix ions on the retentions of the analytes were also examined. The recoveries of analytes were generally higher than 95% with a low RSD. The method has been successfully applied to content evaluation of these metals in real samples.     

Rapid separation method for emergency water and urine samples

The Savannah River Site Environmental Bioassay Lab participated in the 2008 NRIP Emergency Response program administered by the National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) in May, 2008. A new rapid column separation method was used for analysis of actinides and ⁹⁰Sr in the NRIP 2008 emergency water and urine samples. Significant method improvements were applied to reduce analytical times. As a result, much faster analysis times were achieved, less than 3 hours for determination of ⁹⁰Sr and 3–4 hours for actinides. This represents a 25%–33% improvement in analysis times from NRIP 2007 and a ∼100% improvement compared to NRIP 2006 report times. Column flow rates were increased by a factor of two, with no significant adverse impact on the method performance. Larger sample aliquots, shorter count times, faster cerium fluoride microprecipitation and streamlined calcium phosphate precipitation were also employed. Based on initial feedback from NIST, the SRS Environmental Bioassay Lab had the most rapid analysis times for actinides and ⁹⁰Sr analyses for NRIP 2008 emergency urine samples. High levels of potential matrix interferences may be present in emergency samples and rugged methods are essential. Extremely high levels of ²¹⁰Po were found to have an adverse effect on the uranium results for the NRIP-08 urine samples, while uranium results for NRIP-08 water samples were not affected. This problem, which was not observed for NRIP-06 or NRIP-07 urine samples, was resolved by using an enhanced ²¹⁰Po removal step, which will be described.     

A simple chemiluminescence method for determination of chemical oxygen demand values in water

In this paper, a low cost chemiluminescence detector with a photodiode instead of photo-multiplier tube (PMT) was developed for environmental monitoring of water quality. Based on the chemiluminescent reaction of luminol-H₂O₂-Cr³⁺ system, light emission caused by luminol-H₂O₂-Cr³⁺ system was detected by the photodiode, and its intensity caused by the appearance of Cr³⁺ after samples digestion was proportional to the chemical oxygen demand (COD). Effects for COD determining such as pH, concentrations, interference, and digestion procedures were investigated. The experimental results show that this suggested method uses an instrument that is simpler and cheaper than the previous ones used for the same purpose. The data obtained by the present method were fairly in good agreement with those obtained by the standard reflux titrimetric method. It has been applied to determine real samples with satisfactory results.     

Ion Implantation Standards as a Spark Source Mass Spectrometric Surface Analysis Calibration Technique: The Analysis of B in Irradiated Zircaloy-2

Abstract

Ion implantation standards were used to calibrate a spark source mass spectrometer (SSMS) near surface region analytical method. Standards were prepared by ion implanting ¹¹B⁺ at 100 keV into Zircaloy-2 at doses in the 3 × 10¹⁵ to 3 × 10^{16 11}B atoms/cm² range. The analytical method was predicated on the idea that both standards and samples could be sparked in a SSMS under essentially identical and reproducible conditions. Calibration plots gave linear log-log results for plots of ¹¹B⁺/¹²²Sn⁺ versus B concentration in the standards. Calibration plots were determined on the basis of 5 to 6 replicate determinations for 3 different implant standard concentration levels. A series of irradiated Zircaloy-2 cladding samples were analyzed and shown to contain not more than 0.06 μg/cm² total B in the near surface region.     

A method for bulk hydrogen analysis based on transmission and back scattering of fast neutrons

A method was proposed for bulk hydrogen analysis. It is based on simultaneous detection of transmitted fast neutrons and back scattered thermal neutrons from the investigated samples by ³He detectors. The fast neutron beams were obtained from ²⁵²Cf and Pu–Be neutron sources. The experimental set-up as well as samples preparation were described. Incident thermal neutrons beams obtained from either ²⁵²Cf or Pu–Be sources, were used to investigate the samples by neutron backscattering. The results obtained from transmission and backscattering of fast neutrons were compared and discussed. The advantage and capabilities of the proposed method were presented. The results obtained using fast neutron beams are more sensitive than those obtained using thermal neutron beams. Validation procedures were proposed to credit the results.     

Determination of inorganic anions in mushrooms by ion chromatography with potentiometric detection

A simple method for determination of common inorganic anions in mushroom samples has been developed by using suppressed ion chromatography with a pH detection unit. The detection unit which was constructed in such a way that practically no additional dispersion occurred consisted of a flow-through quinhydrone pH sensor and a small reference electrode. Chromatographic separation was performed in the order F⁻, Cl⁻, NO₂⁻, Br⁻, PO₄³⁻, ClO₃⁻, NO₃⁻, and SO₄²⁻, at room temperature by using Ion Pac AS 9-HC anion exchange column. Anion extracts from dried mushroom samples at room temperature were homogenized and filtered before injection. Under optimized analytical conditions, the detection limits of the method were between 2 × 10⁻⁶ and 3 × 10⁻⁴ M, depending on the anion studied. The results showed that the concentrations of fluoride and bromide in all mushroom samples were below their limit of detection. Nitrite was found to be the lowest abundant ion, while the most abundant ion was sulfate in all the mushroom samples studied.     

Pretreatment of plant samples for the determination of Re by ICP-MS

In order to determine trace levels of rhenium in plant samples by ICP-MS, a pretreatment method was developed. Ten radish samples (Raphanus sativus L.) grown in solution culture containing ¹⁸⁴ReO₄ ^- were used. The samples were separated into three parts (leaves, fleshy root and fine roots), then each sample was oven-dried at 60 °C. The Re loss ratios in the samples after incineration at 450 °C for 3 hours and acid leaching at 90 °C for 3 hours were compared. There was no difference of recoveries among the sample parts, and throughout the procedure, almost 100% Re was recovered from the samples.     

CaWO4:xEu3+,ySm3+,zLi+红色荧光粉的制备及光学性能

采用微波固相法制备了CaWO₄：xEu³⁺,ySm³⁺,zLi⁺红色荧光粉。测量样品的XRD图、激发谱、发射谱及发光衰减曲线,研究并分析了Eu³⁺、Sm³⁺、Li⁺的掺杂浓度,对样品微结构、光致发光特性、能量传递及能级寿命的影响。结果表明,Eu³⁺、Sm³⁺、Li⁺掺杂并未引起合成粉体改变晶相,仍为CaWO₄单一四方晶系结构。Eu³⁺、Sm³⁺共掺样品中,Sm³⁺掺杂为3%时,Sm³⁺对Eu³⁺的能量传递最有效。Li⁺掺杂起到了助熔剂和敏化剂的作用,使样品发光更强。在394 nm激发下,与CaWO₄：3%Eu³⁺样品比较,3%Eu³⁺、3%Sm³⁺共掺CaWO₄及3%Eu³⁺、3%Sm³⁺、1%Li⁺共掺CaWO₄样品的发光分别增强2倍及2.4倍。同一激发波长下,单掺Eu³⁺样品寿命最短,Sm³⁺、Eu³⁺共掺样品随Sm³⁺浓度增加,寿命先减小后增加,且掺杂了Li⁺的样品比不掺Li⁺的样品⁵D₀能级寿命有所增加。     

Development of an Efficient Procedure for Determination of Copper,Zinc and Iron after Solid Phase Extraction on 3‐(1‐(1‐H‐Indol‐3‐yl)‐3‐Phenylallyl)‐1H‐Indole Loaded on Duolite XAD 761

A method for the simultaneous preconcentration of Cu²⁺,Zn²⁺ and Fe³⁺ ions, in some food samples has been reported. The method is based on the adsorption of 3‐(1‐(1‐H‐indol‐3‐yl)‐3‐phenylallyl)‐1H‐indole (IPAI) loaded on Duolite XAD 761. The metal ions adsorbed on the modified solid phase resin are eluted using 6 mL of 4 mol L^?1 nitric acid. The influences of the analytical parameters including pH and amount of ligand and solid phase and type and amount of surfactant and sample volume on the metal ions recoveries were investigated. The effects of matrix ions on the retentions of the analytes were also examined. The recoveries of analytes were generally higher than 95% with a RSD lower than 5%. The method has been successfully applied for these metals content evaluation in some real samples.