Elemental composition of drinking water supplies in three states in Southeastern Nigeria

The levels of some trace elements; Co, Mn, Cu, Zn, Cr, Cd, Pb, Fe, Hg, Se, As, Ni and minor elements; Na, K, Ca and Mg were determined in public drinking water supplies (public taps and groundwaters) in three states in Southeastern Nigeria using energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) and flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The mean levels of most of the trace elements in the groundwater samples were below the World Health Organization (WHO) drinking water quality limits, the only exception being Hg whose mean value of 3.69 μg/l exceeded the WHO limit of 1.0 μg/l. Violations of the WHO limits were also observed for Fe, Zn, Se and Pb in some of the groundwater samples. In the public tap samples only Hg violated the WHO limit.     

Determination of trace metals in natural waters at nanogram per liter levesls by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after extraction with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate

The determination of trace metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Ni and Pb) at concentrations found in fresh and sea waters is described. The metals are extracted as diethyldithiocarbamates from 500-ml samples into carbon tetrachloride, the extracts are evaporated to dryness and the residues are mineralized with 0.1 ml of concentrated nitric acid. This solution is used for graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometry after appropriate dilution. The detection limits are 10 pg Cd, 150 pg Co, 125 pg Cu, 100 pg Fe, 250 pg Ni and 100 pg Pb. The extraction/mineralization method is almost free from interferences, e.g., from trace elements at 500-fold and Na, K, Ca and Mg at million-fold amounts. The procedure is successfully applied to the determination of the above metals in deionized water, and river and sea waters.     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱(ICP-AES)法测定胡蜂酒中无机元素

采用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法测定胡蜂酒中20种无机元素,建立无机元素对照指纹图谱,对重金属元素进行风险评估。结果表明,胡蜂酒中无机元素种类丰富,其中P、K、Na元素占测定总元素的96.14%。有害元素Pb、Cd、As、Hg、Cu含量符合国家药典标准要求,Cu的靶标危险系数(THQ)为1.00×10^-2,THQ<1说明摄入的重金属对人体健康造成的影响不明显。不同产区胡蜂酒金属元素含量存在差异,根据金属元素图谱得出元素含量按原子序数顺序出现相似的分布态势。结果表明,胡蜂酒中含有丰富的金属元素,很多为营养微量元素,有害元素(Pb、Cd、As、Hg、Cu)含量符合药典要求,从金属元素方面单一来看,饮用胡蜂酒没有明显的健康风险。胡蜂酒无机元素指纹图谱可为胡蜂酒的鉴别提供一定的的参考依据。     

Matrix interferences in the determination of trace elements in waste waters by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization

The use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization (USN-ICP-AES) for determining Ag, Al, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, V and Zn in complex matrices of Ca, Na, K and P in waste waters is described. Generally, depressions in the analyte emission intensity occur in the presence of concomitants. Matrix interferences can be minimized by increasing the operating power and lowering the carrier gas flow rate. However, the enhancement of the signal-to-background ratios (SBRs) shows an opposite trend. Therefore, routine analyses were performed at a compromise power setting of 1,350 W, a carrier gas flow rate of 0.8 L min(-1) and an observation height of 14 mm above the load coil and using a matrix matched calibration procedure. Limits of detection (LODs) at chosen operating conditions were at microg L(-1) levels for most of the elements studied, including mercury when KBr is added to the analyte solution to enhance sensitivity. LODs were not significantly changed in the presence of matrix elements. Recoveries for the majority of added elements from spiked waste water samples are between 93 and 105% using a matrix matched calibration.     

羊红膻中微量元素含量的测定

采用高分辨全谱直读电感耦合等离子体发射光谱仪测定了羊红膻(Pimpinella thellungianaWolff)药材地上与地下不同部位中含Cu、K、Na、Fe、Se、Mg、As、Ca、Cd、Cr、Mn、Ni、P、Pb和Zn等15种微量元素含量,并进行了比较。结果表明,重金属As和Pb几乎检测不到,K含量均高;同时也为羊红膻药理作用及临床用药提供科学依据。     

Senio river ecosystem: characterization and distribution of inorganic species in water and sediments

Analytical results are reported for the determination of inorganic species in water and sediments sampled in the Senio river ecosystem. The species determined are Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, Hg, F-, Cl-, Br, NO3-, SO4-, Na+, K+, Ca++, Mg++, NH4+ in integrated water, and Cu, Pb, Cd, Zn, Co, Cr, Ni, Fe, Mn, Hg in sediments. For all the elements, in addition to detection limits, precision and accuracy are given: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (sr), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), were good, being in all cases lower than 6%. Limitedly to Cu, Pb, Cd and Zn a critical comparison with voltammetric measurements is also discussed.     

电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法(ICP-AES)测定不同品种山药中矿物质元素与对比研究

采用微波消解样品,运用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法同时测定山药中K,Na,Ca,Mg,Zn,Fe,Cu,Mn,Se,Pb,Cd和Cr 12种元素。结果表明:方法简便、快速、准确;山药富含对人体有益的K,Ca,Fe,Mg,Zn,Mn,Se等矿物质元素,其肉质中重金属元素Pb,Cd,Cr含量均未超过国家食品卫生标准。     

Inorganic species in water and sediments of the Lamone and Marzeno rivers ecosystem

Analytical results are reported for the determination of inorganic species in water and sediments sampled in the Lamone and Marzeno rivers ecosystem. The species determined are Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg, F-, Cl- Br-, NO3-, SO4--, Na+, K+, Mg++, Ca++, NH4+ in superficial water, and Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, Pb, Zn, Hg in sediments. For all the elements, in addition to detection limits, precision and accuracy are given: the former, expressed as relative standard deviation (s(r)), and the latter, expressed as relative error (e), were good, being in all cases lower than 6%.     

Determination of heavy metals and their speciation in waters and bottom sediments of water reservoirs using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry in combination with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and autoclave sample preparation essentially improved performance characteristics of the determination of heavy metals and simplified analytical procedures for determining their speciation. Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry can give information about the concentrations of a wide range of elements in water and bottom deposits at a level of MPC and, thus, is useful for revealing sources of pollution of water reservoirs. More sensitive electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry was used for determining background concentrations of Pb, Cd, Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, Mo, and As and assessing the speciation of Pb, Cd, Co, Cu, and Zn in waters and bottom sediments. Based on the results of analyses of surface, bottom, and void waters; bottom sediments and their step-by-step extracts; and KMC and DEAE cellulose adsorbents containing charge-separated heavy metals, the ecological status of Kuibyshev, Ivan’kovo, and Rybinsk water reservoirs was assessed.     

A Multi‐Element Flow Injection System for Heavy Metals Determination

Abstract

A multi‐element flow injection (FI) system with spectrophotometric detection was developed for sequential determination of Zn(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II). Dithizone reagent was used for the previously mentioned analytes and it was prepared on line by using a solid reagent column (SRC). Bear in mind that the most hazardous elements for environmental contamination are lead, cadmium, and mercury; a multi‐element FI system with preconcentration steps is proposed to determine their trace levels in natural waters. Results obtained for different samples agreed satisfactorily with those obtained by the reference method inductively coupled plasma‐atomic emission spectrometry (ICP‐AES). Detection limits were 5.4, 5.0 and 14 µg L^?1 for Cd(II), Pb(II), and Hg(II), respectively. The percent of relative standard deviation (RSD) was better than 4.5% for each one.     

微波消解/ICP—AES法测定不同品种山药中矿物质元素与对比研究

采用微波消解样品,运用电感耦合等离子体原子发射光谱法同时测定山药中K、Na、Ca、Mg、Zn、Fe、Cu、Mn、Se、Pb、Cd和Cr等12种元素。结果表明：方法简便、快速、准确度高;四种山药均富含对人体有益的K、Ca、Fe、Mg、Zn、Mn、Se等矿物质元素,其肉质中Pb、Cd、Cr含量均未超过国家食品卫生标准。     

Thiodiethanethiol Modified Silica Coated Magnetic Nanoparticles for Preconcentration and Determination of Ultratrace Amounts of Mercury,Lead, and Cadmium in Environmental and Food Samples

A new magnetic adsorbent, 2,2′-thiodiethanethiol grafted with tetraethyl orthosilicate modified Fe₃O₄ nanoparticles, was developed for the separation and preconcentration of Hg, Pb, and Cd in environmental and food samples. The concentrations of Pb and Cd were determined by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry; Hg was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. A comprehensive study on the factors affecting the extraction and desorption efficiencies was performed. Under the optimized conditions, the method was linear in the 0.01–750 ng mL^?1 range (before preconcentration) with detection limits of 4, 8, and 2 ng L^?1 for Hg, Pb, and Cd, respectively. Relative standard deviations of 2.3, 2.9, and 2.4% (concentration 50 ng mL^?1, n = 7) and high preconcentration factors of 291, 285, and 288 were also obtained for Hg, Pb, and Cd. The accuracy of the proposed method was validated by analyzing a water certified reference material with satisfactory recoveries. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the analytes in tap and mineral waters and canned tuna fish samples.     

Matrix interferences in the determination of trace elements in waste waters by inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization

The use of inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry with ultrasonic nebulization (USN-ICP-AES) for determining Ag, Al, As, Ba, Bi, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, Mg, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sb, Sr, V and Zn in complex matrices of Ca, Na, K and P in waste waters is described. Generally, depressions in the analyte emission intensity occur in the presence of concomitants. Matrix interferences can be minimized by increasing the operating power and lowering the carrier gas flow rate. However, the enhancement of the signal-to-background ratios (SBRs) shows an opposite trend. Therefore, routine analyses were performed at a compromise power setting of 1350 W, a carrier gas flow rate of 0.8 L min^–1 and an observation height of 14 mm above the load coil and using a matrix matched calibration procedure. Limits of detection (LODs) at chosen operating conditions were at μg L^–1 levels for most of the elements studied, including mercury when KBr is added to the analyte solution to enhance sensitivity. LODs were not significantly changed in the presence of matrix elements. Recoveries for the majority of added elements from spiked waste water samples are between 93 and 105% using a matrix matched calibration. Received: 13 January 2000 / Revised: 10 April 2000 / Accepted: 18 April 2000     

Continuous measurement of metals in flue gas using ICP-OES

A system capable of continuously measuring a range of metallic elements in the effluent gas from incinerators and other similar industrial processes, and providing on-line results has been developed. With a state-of-the-art mobile laboratory measurements were taken from a UK municipal solid waste incinerator. The detection system used was an ICP-OES, with a modified torch to allow the introduction of flue gas directly into the plasma. Metals that were investigated were Ni, Hg, V, Al, Na, Ca, Cu, Sn, Pb, Sb, As, Cd and Tl, with limits of detection in the range 0.0004 mg m^–3 to 0.1 mg m^–3 being calculated. Emission measurements produced data that showed that the MSWI plants emission were significantly lower than the emission limits specified in EC 2000/76/EC.     

On the possibilities of ICP-AES for analysis of archaeological bones

The possibility of using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) to determine the elemental composition of archaeological bones elements was evaluated and discussed. The interferences of the major elements (Ca, P, K, Na, Al and Fe) on the microelements (Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Mn, Ni, Pb, Sr, Zn) were investigated and the appropriate analytical lines were selected. The role of different nebulizers (cross-flow, Babington and Meinhard) on detection limits were investigated. The applicability of the proposed procedure was demonstrated analyzing IAEA-SRM-H-5 (Animal bone); and authentic bone sample dating back to the 4^th century BC. These results were compared to ETAAS and ICP-MS.     

Voltammetric Quantification of Zn and Cu,Together with Hg and Pb,Based on a Gold Microwire Electrode,in a Wider Spectrum of Surface Waters

The simultaneous determination of Zn and Cu by anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) is prone to errors due to the formation of Cu‐Zn intermetallic compounds. The main aim of this work was to study the possibility of simultaneous determination of Zn and Cu, together with Hg and Pb, using a mercury‐free solid gold microwire electrode. The multi‐element detection was carried out by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry (DPASV), in a chloride medium (0.5 M NaCl) under moderate acid conditions (HCl 1.0 mM) in the presence of oxygen, where the gold microwire electrode was used as stationary or vibrating working electrode during the deposition step. Under these conditions, no formation of Cu‐Zn intermetallic compounds were found for concentrations usually determined in surface waters. In addition, quantification of Zn and Cu, together with Hg and Pb, can be performed in a wide range of concentrations (about two orders of magnitude) using the same sample, in a very short period of time. The detection limits for Cu, Hg, Pb and Zn, using a vibrating electrode and 30 s of deposition time, were 0.2 µg L^?1 for Hg, 0.3 µg L^?1 for Pb and 0.4 µg L^?1 for Zn and Cu, respectively. The proposed DPASV methods were successfully applied to the determination of Cu, Hg, Pb, and Zn in a certified reference fresh water, river, tap and coastal sea waters. These results proved the applicability and versatility of the proposed methods for the analysis of different water matrices and showed that a gold microwire electrode is a suitable choice to determine simultaneously Zn and Cu.     

Comparison of analytical methods: ICP-QMS,ICP-SFMS and FF-ET-AAS for the determination of V,Mn, Ni,Cu, As,Sr, Mo,Cd and Pb in ground natural waters

Three analytical methods, namely, inductively coupled plasma sector field mass spectrometry (ICP-SFMS); inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-QMS) and filter-furnace electrothermal atomic-absorption spectroscopy (FF-ET-AAS) for the determination of V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb in ground natural water samples were compared and evaluated for their capacity to provide reliable and precise results. Two certified reference materials (SLEW-3 Estuarine Water; SLRS-4 River Water) were analysed to prove that accurate results could be obtained by using all the listed methods with properly optimised parameters. The limit of detection (LOD) for V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb provided by the ICP-MS methods ranged from 0.001 to 0.05 µg L^?1. Such LOD proved sufficient for the reliable determination of the listed elements in ground natural waters. However, the LOD of the FF-ET-AAS was approximately two orders of magnitude higher than that of ICP-MS, which made it impossible to quantify V, Mn, Ni, Mo and Pb. The effects of the usage of the collision cell mode in ICP-QMS and of the desolvation system Apex for ICP-SFMS to eliminate oxide ions levels were investigated. For all three analytical methods, the influence of the matrix effect on the results of the determination of the investigated elements using matrix model solution, external calibration and standard addition methods was evaluated. A comparison using a paired Student’s t-test between the results obtained by both ICP-MS methods for V, Mn, Ni, Cu, As, Sr, Mo, Cd and Pb concentrations in ground natural waters showed that there was no significant difference on a 95% confidence level. The precision of the results for ICP-SFMS, ICP-QMS and FF-ET-AAS varied between ~0.5 and 11; 2.5 and 12.5; 3 and 13.5%, respectively. Moreover, ICP-SFMS equipped with the desolvation system APEX proved a better choice for As, Cu and Mn analysis due to its better LOD (0.008, 0.03 and 0.02 µg L^?1, respectively) and precision (S_r ≤ 5.0; 7.5; 9.0%, respectively) compared to ICP-QMS and FF-ET-AAS.     

Summary of preparation and homogeneity characterization of ten agricultural food reference materials for elemental composition

Summary Preparation and development has been completed of ten agricultural/food reference materials (RMs): bovine muscle powder, corn starch, hard red spring wheat flour, soft winter wheat flour, whole milk powder, wheat gluten, corn bran, durum wheat flour, whole egg powder and microcrystalline cellulose. Homogeneity tests for 14 elements, Al, Ca, Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, K, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, Pb, Sr and Zn were performed by the initiating laboratories by application of precise and reliable analytical methods based on flame atomic absorption spectrometry and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. An extensive set of analytical results obtained from the interlaboratory cooperative characterization campaign was assessed to provide homogeneity estimates for other elements. Estimates of homogeneity from within-laboratory precision indicated that all materials exhibited acceptable homogeneity for virtually all 29 elements (Al, As, B, Ba, Br, Ca, Cd, Cl, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Hg, I, K, Mg, Mn, Mo, N, Na, Ni, P, Pb, Rb, S, Se, Sr, V, Zn) for which best estimate concentration values are available. Two thirds of all homogeneity coefficients of variation were below 5%.     

Comparative instrumental multi-element analysis I: Comparison of ICP source mass spectrometry with ICP atomic emission spectrometry, ICP atomic fluorescence spectrometry and atomic absorption spectrometry for the analysis of natural waters from a granite region

Summary Multi-element analysis by ICP source mass spectrometry for practically matrix-free natural waters, coming from a granitic area and, therefore, rich in trace elements, has been compared with ICP-atomic emission, ICP atomic fluorescence and atomic absorption spectrometry. The following elements have been investigated and their concentrations are in the decreasing order: Ca, Si, Na, Mg, K, Al; Sr, Mn, Ba, Fe, Rb, Zn, B, U, Y, Li, La, Be, Cs, Co, Cr, V, Sb, Bi, Th, Cu, Cd, Ni, Se, Pb, As, Hg, Mo, Tl, Sn. The concentration ranges were between 10 ppm and <0.01 ppb.As a measure of agreement between the different methods under investigation, two criteria have been used (a) the relative variation coefficient VK (%) of the mean element concentration of an element, determined by different methods in all the 98 water samples and (b) the linear, logarithmic and Spearman rank correlation coefficients between ICP-MS and each of the other methods. Detection limits are given from literature for about 32 elements using different methods.The elements Ca, Na, Mg, K, Mn, Sr, Zn, Fe, Li, Cu have been determined with ICP-MS, ICP-AES and AAS; Al, Ba with ICP-MS and ICP-AES; Si only with ICP-AES, whereas B, Be, Bi, Co, Cr, Cs, Hg, La, Mo, Ni, Pb, Rb, Sb, Sn, Th, Tl, U, V, Y only with ICP-MS. In all 34 of the investigated 36 elements could be analysed by ICP-MS, 14 (from about 20 possible) by AAS, 13 by ICP-AES and 12 by ICP-AFS.The agreement between ICP-MS and ICP-AES as well as between ICP-MS and AAS in most cases is remarkably good according to (a). VK (%) for each element in 98 water samples is in the range from ±2.6 to 10% for Na, Mg, Ca, K, Fe, Sr, Ba, Cu, Li (increasing order). Cd and Zn have unexpectedly higher values (±17.3 and ±20.5%); Cd concentrations are, however, near the detection limit.Comparing the different methods on the basis of correlation coefficients according to (b), gives for the Spearman rank correlation coefficient over the whole range of concentrations, respectively for ICP-MS/ICP-AES, AAS, ICP-AFS in case of Ca: 0.998; 0.984; 0.899; Na: 0.993; 0.991; 0.978; Mg: 0.997; 0.993; 0.959; K: 0.986; 0.942; 0.677; Al: 0.987; -; -; Fe: 0.864; 0.974; 0.701; Mn: 0.989; 0.990; 0.198; Sr: 0.988; 0.992; -; Zn: 0.894; 0.819; 0.300; Cu: -; 0.977; 0.202; Li: -; 0.907; 0.586.It is evident from these trace element concentrations as well as the electrical conductivities, that only about three fourths of the investigated samples are typical granitic waters and the remaining ones are associated with different geological background. The samples have been mainly radon waters with more than 18 nCi/l of Rn-222.

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Vergleichende Instrumentelle Multielementanalyse I: Vergleich von ICP-Massenspektrometrie mit ICP-Atomemissionsspektrometrie, ICP-Atomfluorescenzspektrometrie und Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie zur Analyse natürlicher Wässer aus einem Granitgebiet

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6th Contribution to the principles of trace analysis of elements and radionuclides

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Dedicated to Professor Dr. H. Kelker, Frankfurt, on the occasion of his 65th birthday     

Comparison of sample preparation methods for the ICP-AES determination of minor and major elements in clarified apple juices

Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) was used for the determination of minor and major elements present in apple juices. Prior to ICP-AES measurement, samples were diluted with nitric acid or digested in a microwave assisted digestion system. The differences in the measured element concentrations after application of different types of sample preparation procedures are discussed. The direct measurement compared to closed microwave dissolution was found to be the best sample preparation procedure. Prior to the measurements the ICP-AES method was validated and optimized for the determination of elements in apple juices. For diluted apple juice samples the lowest limits of detection (LOD) were obtained for Ba and Cd (< 20 μg L^{− 1}), moderate ones for Cu, Mn, Ni, Fe, Ag, Ca, Cr, Zn, Mg, and Sr (20–100 μg L^{− 1}), and the highest LODs for K, Pb, Na, and Al (> 110 μg L^{− 1}). The results obtained for the repeatability (< 0.9%), the intermediate precision (< 4.5%), the day-to-day reproducibility (< 5.2%), and the overall uncertainty of measurement (approx. 4–7%) for all elements analyzed demonstrated the good applicability of the proposed method. Differences in major element content in fresh and commercial apple juice are discussed.