Trace analysis of heavy metal ions by ion chromatography

Summary An ion chromatographic separation technique for heavy metal ions is described. Using pressure-stable, silica-based, ion-exchange supports and standard HPLC equipment with post-column reaction detector high resolution is achieved as well as extremely high sensitivity in the parts per trillion (ppt)-range.     

Behaviour of selenium and tellurium species and their determination by ion chromatography

Summary An ion chromatographic method has been developed for the separation of Te (IV) and Se(IV) in hydrochloric acid mobile phases; the method has been used to determine tellurium in a high-purity non-stoichiometric semiconducting ZnCdTe-based material. Different cation-exchange columns (IonPac CS2, CS3, CS10), a mixed bed ion-exchange column (IonPac CS5), a multi-mode cation-exchange column (OmniPac PCX-500), anion-exchange columns (IonPac AS4, AS4A, AS5, AS5A, AS10, AS11) and a multi-mode anion-exchange column (OmniPac PAX-500) were evaluated for ion chromatographic separation of Se and Te and to study the chemical forms in which the analytes were eluted. The chromatographic data obtained enabled the calculation of both the sign and the chaarge of the eluting species.     

Simultaneous determination of trace level bromate and chlorinated haloacetic acids in bottled drinking water by ion chromatography

A convenient and sensitive method for the simultaneous determination of trace level of bromate and chlorinated haloacetic acids in bottled drinking water with ion chromatography is presented. With a high capacity anion-exchange column and 11.5 mmol/l Na₂CO₃ eluent, all the 16 analytes could be separated in one injection within 31 min. By employing a microwave based evaporation technique, the bottled drinking water sample could be concentrated tenfold in 10 min. The recoveries of the compounds ranged from 90.6 to 107.2%. With a 500 μl large volume injection and high performance anion Atlas electrolytic suppressor, the detection limits were 0.06, 0.08, 0.06, 0.14 and 0.85 μg/l for BrO₃⁻, ClO₃⁻, monoacetic acid, dichloroacetic acid and trichloroacetic acid, respectively.     

On-line preconcentration,ion chromatographic separation and spectrophotometric determination of palladium at trace level

A new method for the determination of Pd by ion chromatography and spectrophotometric detection has been developed. The technique is based on the separation of palladium as PdCl4(2-) by anion exchange and on the detection, at a wavelength of 407 nm, of metal as PdI4(2-) after a post-column reaction with KI. The column used was an IonPac AS4 with HCl and HClO4 eluents. The eluent concentration and composition of post-column reagent were optimised in order to obtain the best separation and sensitivity for Pd. In order to reduce the detection limit, an on-line preconcentration step, has been optimised. The method, as developed, was suitable for palladium determination within a 300 ng/l D.L. value. The method applied to a BCR reference material (CRM 277, estuarine sediment) gave satisfactory results in agreement with the certified value within a D.L. value of 1.3 microg/l for the real sample.     

A computer program for the optimal ion chromatographic determination of anions in waters

Summary A general form of computer program which can assist in method development for any natural water has been developed. Necessary input data, sequence of main operations, necessary mathematical relationships and the output data are specified. The development of the structure of the computer program was based on experiences with real samples.     

Matrix removal for the ion chromatographic determination of some trace elements in milk

An ion chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of some microelements in different types of milk. It involves oxidative photodegradation of the organic matrix with H₂O₂ in a UV digester, equipped with a high-pressure mercury lamp. The temperature of the sample is maintained at 85±5 °C by a combined air/water cooling system. This procedure provides an efficient alternative to traditional dry ashing and wet digestion methods. Milk degrades in less than 2 h, while inorganic constituents, except for iodide, nitrate, nitrite, sulfite and manganese (II), are unaffected by UV radiation. Depending upon the type of milk (whole, skimmed, powdered, evaporated, etc.) to be analysed, the amount of sample and the UV photolysis time can be adjusted as per requirements. The clear solution resulting from the UV digestion is diluted, filtered and injected onto an ion chromatograph equipped with both conductivity and variable-wavelength UV-Vis detectors. The method has been tested with standards and real milk samples and has been found to be satisfactory for the determination of total chloride, bromide, phosphorus (as phosphate) and sulfur (as sulfate), and of copper, nickel, zinc, cobalt, iron and lead.     

络合吸附伏安法同时测定多种重金属离子

在络合剂亚硝基苯胲 乙醇 乙酸铵体系中,Cr(Ⅵ)、Cd2 、Cu2 、Pb2 、Ni2 等离子都能在汞电极上产生灵敏的阴极络合吸附波,其二次导数伏安峰电流均与离子质量浓度有良好的线性关系,可用于这些离子的定量检测,测定线性范围为Cr(Ⅵ)0.0017～0.67μg mL、Cd2 0.0017～0.117μg mL、Cu2 0.0083～5 8μg mL、Pb2 0.083～1.25μg mL、Ni2 0.17～150μg mL,RSD分别为5.7%、1 3%、1.4%、2 5%和1.6%。方法为工业废水、地表水及生活用水等样品中重金属离子的同时测定提供了可靠、灵敏的检测方法。     

Studies on the origin and transformation of selenium and its chemical species along the process of petroleum refining

Inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry and mass spectrometry (ICPMS), the latter hyphenated to flow injection hydride generation, electrothermal vaporization or ion chromatography, have been applied to the chemical characterization of crude oil, aqueous process stream samples and wastewaters from a petroleum refinery, in order to get information on the behavior of selenium and its chemical species along effluent generation and treatment. Multielemental characterization of these effluents by ICPMS revealed a complex composition of most of them, with high salinity and potential spectral and non-spectral interferents present. For this reason, a critical re-assessment of the analytical techniques for the determination of total selenium and its species was performed. Methane was employed as gas in dynamic reaction cell ICPMS and cell parameters were optimized for a simulated brine matrix and for diluted aqueous solutions to match the expected process and treated wastewaters samples. The signal-to-background ratios for ⁷⁸Se and ⁸⁰Se were used as criteria in optimization, the first isotope resulting in better detection limits for the simulated brine matrix (⁷⁸Se: 0.07 μg L^− 1, ⁸⁰Se: 0.31 μg L^− 1). A large variability in the concentration of selenium (from < 10 μg kg^− 1 up to 960 μg kg^− 1) was observed in 16 of the most frequently processed crude oil samples in the refinery here investigated, which may explain the pronounced concentrations changes of this element measured in aqueous process stream and wastewater samples. Highest concentrations of total selenium were analyzed in samples from the hydrotreater (up to about 1800 μg L^− 1). The predominance of selenocyanate (SeCN⁻) was observed in most of the wastewaters so far investigated, but also other species were detected with retention times different from Se(IV), Se(VI) and SeCN⁻. Colloidal selenium (Se⁰) was the only Se-species observed in samples from the atmospheric distillation unit, but was also identified in other samples, most probably formed by the decomposition of SeCN⁻ or other unstable species.     

Speciation analysis of arsenic and selenium compounds in environmental and biological samples by ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma dynamic reaction cell mass spectrometer

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) was used as an ion chromatographic (IC) detector for the speciation analysis of arsenic and selenium. The arsenic and selenium species studied included arsenite [As(III)], arsenate [As(V)], monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenobetaine (AsB), selenite [Se(IV)] and selenate [Se(VI)]. Gradient elution using (NH₄)₂CO₃ and methanol at pH 9 allowed the chromatographic separation of all species in less than 12 min. Effluents from the IC column were delivered to the nebulization system of ICP-DRC-MS for the determination of arsenic and selenium. The potentially interfering ³⁸Ar⁴⁰Ar⁺ and ⁴⁰Ar⁴⁰Ar⁺ at the selenium masses m/z 78 and 80 were reduced in intensity by approximately 3 orders of magnitude by using 0.6 mL min⁻¹ CH₄ as reactive cell gas in the DRC while an Rpq value of 0.3 was used. Meanwhile, arsenic was determined as the adduct ion ⁷⁵As¹²CHH⁺ at m/z 89, which is more sensitive than ⁷⁵As. The limits of detection for arsenic and selenium were in the range of 0.002–0.01 ng mL⁻¹ and 0.01–0.02 ng mL⁻¹, respectively, based on peak height. The relative standard deviation of the peak areas for five injections of 5 ng mL⁻¹ As and Se mixture was in the range of 2–4%. The concentrations of arsenic and selenium species have been determined in urine samples collected locally. The major As and Se species in urines were AsB, DMA and probably selenosugar at concentration of 20–40, 15–19 and 17–31 ng mL⁻¹, respectively. The recoveries were in the range of 94–105% for all the determinations. This method has also been applied to determine various arsenic compounds in two fish samples. In this study, a simple and rapid microwave-assisted extraction method was used for the extraction of arsenic compounds from fish. The arsenic species were quantitatively leached with an 80% v/v methanol solution in a focused microwave field during a period of 5 min.     

Simultaneous determination of alkali, alkaline earths and ammonium in natural waters by ion chromatography

An ion chromatographic method has been developed for the determination of alkali (Li(+), Na(+), K(+)), alkaline earths (Ca(2+), Mg(2+), Ba(2+), Sr(2+)) and ammonium ion in waters. The usual difficulties encountered during traditional cation-exchange separations (incomplete resolution for Na(+) and NH(4) (+) present in disproportionate concentration ratios) have been overcome tuning the selectivity of the separation by the introduction of 18-crown-6 ether in the mobile phase using an IonPac CS12A (150x3 mm id) column. After a detailed study of the effect of mobile phase components on separation, a gradient elution from 26 mM methanesulphonic acid (MSA) with a step change at 9 min to 60 mM MSA (0.5 mM 18-crown-6) provided the required baseline separation for the eight selected analytes. The method developed provides the advantage of the determination, in the same analytical run, also of strontium and barium, which is usually performed by spectroscopic techniques. Within-day and between-day repeatability have been assessed, observing between-day RSD included between 0.3 and 1.8% for retention times and 0.6 and 7.2% for peak areas. The method has been finally tested for the analysis of water samples of different provenience (well, tanks, water system) and results compared with those obtained by the laboratory in charge of the control of drinking water for the city of Torino (Italy).     

溶剂浮选缔合物光度法测定痕量硒

根据亚硒酸 ( H2 Se O3)氧化 I-生成 I2 ,I2 与 I-配阴离子 ,I-3 ,配阴离子I-3 与孔雀绿阳离子 ( MG+ )发生离子缔合反应 ,用 N2 气将此缔合物浮选的三元缔合物用光度法测定硒。方法的 ε为 2 .2× 1 0 6L· mol-1· cm-1,RSD为2 .7% ,检出限为 4.7× 1 0 -10 g· m L-1     

Simultaneous determination of bromide and nitrate in contaminated waters by ion chromatography using amperometry and absorbance detectors

This study describes a new ion chromatography method using a low-capacity anion exchange column with amperometric and absorbance detection for rapid and simultaneous determination of Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ in contaminated waters where one of these ions is present in excess compared to other. The use of two detectors overcomes the problem of baseline separation for Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ for accurate quantification, which was commonly encountered when using a low-capacity anion exchange column and suppressed conductivity detection mode. The method achieved accurate quantification of these two ions without requirement of baseline separation. The accuracy of 2.8% for NO₃⁻ was determined using a quality control sample obtained from UN GEMS/Water PE Study No. 6. The detection limits for Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ were 20 and 6 μg l⁻¹ (25 μl sample), respectively. Linearity of these two ions was over three orders of magnitude with a correlation coefficient >0.998. The influence of potential interfering ions was also studied followed by the determination of Br⁻ and NO₃⁻ in seawater, unsaturated zone water, soil extract and groundwater.     

火焰原子吸收光谱法分析沉积物中重金属元素的形态

采用原子吸收光谱法研究了金沙江攀枝花段水系沉积物中重金属的形态及分布特征。研究发现,各重金属的形态以残渣态为主,离子交换态含量很少。同时说明原子吸收光谱法完全可以用来研究重金属形态特征,在环境研究中具有重要意义。     

Simultaneous determination of trace oxyhalides and haloacetic acids using suppressed ion chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry

A new analytical procedure for the simultaneous determination of trace oxyhalides and haloacetic acids (HAs) in drinking water and aqueous soil extracts is described. The method uses micro-bore ion chromatography (IC) coupled with suppressed conductivity (SC) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometric detection (ESI-MS). The IC-SC-ESI-MS system included a secondary flow of 100% MeOH, which was added to the column eluate (post-suppressor) and resulted in a significant increase in sensitivity for all analytes. All ESI-MS parameters were optimized for HA analysis and sensitivity quantitatively compared to suppressed conductivity. Full analytical performance characteristics for the developed method are presented for monochloro-, monobromo-, dichloro-, dibromo-, trichloro-, bromochloro, chlorodifluoro-, trifluoro-, dichlorobromo- and dibromochloroacetic acid, as well as the oxyhalides iodate, bromate, chlorate and perchlorate. In the case of the HAs, an optimised 25-fold SPE preconcentration method meant all analytes could be readily detected well below the USEPA 60 μg/L regulatory limit using conductivity and/or ESI-MS. The IC-ESI-MS method was applied to the determination of oxyhalides and HAs in both soil extracts and drinking water samples. Soil samples were extracted using ultra pure water with subsequent determination of perchlorate at 1.68 μg/g of soil. A drinking water sample containing HAs was preconcentrated using LiChrolut EN solid phase extraction cartridges with subsequent sulphate and chloride removal. Total HAs were determined at 13 μg/L.     

Effect of eluent composition and pH and chemiluminescent reagent pH on ion chromatographic selectivity and luminol-based chemiluminescence detection of Co, Mn and Fe at trace levels

The alkaline-luminol/H₂O₂-based chemiluminescent (CL) detection of Fe²⁺, Co²⁺, and Mn²⁺, separated with a Dionex CS5A ion chromatographic phase was studied by means of a multi-pump flow system allowing the variation of the post-column solution composition. A perchlorate gradient at pH 1.9 (with HCl) was used to separate cations partially complexed with 5.6 mM oxalate present in the eluent and necessary for the chosen separation phase. A 0.91 mM luminol, 3.3 mM H₂O₂ in 0.25 M carbonate buffer at pH 10.5 composition was chosen as CL reagent solution. The chosen pH value warrants signal repeatability and wider linearity range although absolute signal is not maximum. The CL signal was related to the pH of the two post-column mixing solutions. Calibration plots of Co²⁺ and Fe²⁺ were linear in the chosen concentration range whilst a parabolic model was the best fit for Mn²⁺. Detection limits were 0.24, 0.50 and 375 nM for Co²⁺, Fe²⁺ and Mn²⁺, respectively. The method was used to determine Co²⁺ at trace level in commercial copper chelates used for animal feeding. A comparison with a chromatographic method with spectrophotometric detection was made giving results comparable both in absolute values and accuracy.     

Simultaneous determination of arsenic and selenium in biological samples by HG-AFS

A new method is proposed for simultaneous determination of traces of arsenic (As) and selenium (Se) in biological samples by hydride-generation double-channel non-dispersive atomic-fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) from tartaric acid media. The effects of analytical conditions on fluorescence signal intensity were investigated and optimized. Interferences from coexisting ions were evaluated. Under optimum conditions linear response ranges above 20 g L^–1 for As and 32 g L^–1 for Se were obtained with detection limits of 0.13 and 0.12 g L^–1, respectively. The precision for elevenfold determination of As at the 4 g L^–1 level and of Se at the 8 g L^–1 level were 2.7 and 1.9% (RSD), respectively. Recoveries of 92.5–95.5% for As and 101.2–108.4% for Se were obtained for four biological samples and two certified biological reference materials. The proposed method has the advantages of simple operation, high sensitivity, and high efficiency; it was successfully used for simultaneous determination of As and Se in biological samples.     

石墨炉原子吸收光谱法测定大鼠血清中硒

通过考察不同基体改进剂效果,提出了以硝酸锶和硝酸钯做为混合基体改进剂。建立了用石墨炉原子吸收法测定牛血清和大鼠血清中痕量硒的分析方法。线性范围为0-120ng/mL,硒的检出限为0．095ng／mL,方法用于标准牛血清测定。结果与标准值基本吻合,大鼠血清测定标准加入回收率为102％。     

微波辅助萃取-液质联用技术测底泥砷、硒的化学形态

建立了用反相离子对色谱和电感耦合等离子体质谱的联用技术同时测定As（Ⅲ）、 As（Ⅴ）、 MMA、 DMA、 Se（Ⅳ）、 Se（Ⅵ）、 SeMet和SeCys的砷、硒化学形态分析方法. 分别从流动相pH值、离子对试剂的浓度、甲醇量和流速4个方面进行了分离测定条件的优化. 利用碰撞池技术（CCT）较好地解决了^40Ar^35Cl^＋复合离子对^75As的干扰, 并使^80Se的测定成为可能, 有效地提高了灵敏度. 将该方法应用于上海市苏州河底泥样品的微波辅助萃取液的形态分析中, 砷和硒的检出限分别达到0.4～1.3 和0.5～1.9 μg/L.     

Highly selective ion chromatographic determination of ammonium ions in waters with a suppressor as postcolumn reactor

A highly selective ion chromatographic method for the determination of ammonium ions using an anion-exchange separation column with a bipolar ion exchanger was developed. The method is based on the reaction in a suppressor column between ammonium ions and nitrous acid formed from the eluent components followed by the negative conductimetric signal. The determination of more than 0.1 ppm of NH₄⁺ in water is possible in the presence of 100-fold amounts of alkali metals and inorganic anions.     

Simple optical fibre biosensor based on immobilised enzyme for monitoring of trace heavy metal ions

A simple optical fibre biosensor based on immobilised enzyme for monitoring of trace heavy metal ions has been developed. The biosensor recognition system was designed based on the inhibition of urease activity, where the urease is immobilised on ultrabind membrane. The studies of inhibition by the heavy metal ions Hg(II), Ag(I), Cu(II), Ni(II), Zn(II), Co(II) and Pb(II) were performed using a fibre-optic biosensor configuration, where the pH change resulting from the bio-catalytic hydrolysis of urea was monitored at the wavelength 615 nm spectroscopically, using commercial pH indicator strip before and after the exposure to the heavy metal ions. The immobilised urease was regenerated by l-cysteine. The linear response range between 1×10^-9–1×10^-5 M and the limit of detection 1×10^-9 M (0.2 g/L) for Hg(II) ions was achieved by employing the flow method. The optimisation of experimental parameters, including flow method, is also discussed.