Cloud point extraction combined with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry for the determination of chromium species and their distribution in cigarette and cigarette ash

In this article, the contents and distribution of total chromium, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in various cigarettes and cigarette ashes were determined by using a cloud point extraction (CPE) separation/preconcentration combined with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometric (GFAAS) detection. Different extraction reagents, such as tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), Na₂HPO₄, Na₂CO₃/NaOH, NaOH and H₂O, were tested for the extraction of Cr species, and the extraction efficiency was estimated. The experimental results showed that TMAH was the most efficient extraction reagent for the analyte in cigarette samples. By using the established method, the total chromium, Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in various cigarettes and cigarette ashes were determined and their distribution was studied. It was found that Cr(III) is a main species in cigarettes, but that it can be partly oxidized to Cr(VI) during smoking.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental samples by using coprecipitation with praseodymium(III) hydroxide and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A speciation procedure has been established for the flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) based on coprecipitation of Cr(III) by using praseodymium(III) hydroxide (Pr(OH)₃) precipitate. In the presented system, Cr(III) was quantitatively (>95%) recovered at the pH range of 10.0?C12.0 on Pr(III) hydroxide, while the recoveries of Cr(VI) were below 10%. The method was applied to the determination of the total chromium after reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by using hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The concentration of Cr(VI) is calculated by difference of total chromium and Cr(III) levels. The analytical parameters including pH of the aqueous medium, amount of Pr(III), centrifugation speed, sample volume were optimized. The influences of matrix ions were also investigated. The method was validated by the analysis of TMDA 70 fortified lake water certified reference material. The method was applied to the speciation of chromium in water samples.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) by Means of Melamine-Urea-Formaldehyde Resin and FAAS

 A method is described for the quantitative preconcentration and separation of trace chromium in water by adsorption on melamine-urea-formaldehyde resin. Cr(VI) is enriched from aqueous solutions on the resin. After elution the Cr(VI) is determined by FAAS. The capacity of the resin is maximal at ∼ pH 2. Total chromium can be determined by the method after oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by hydrogen peroxide. The relative standard deviations (10 replicate analyses) for 10 mg/L levels of Cr(VI), Cr(III) and total chromium were 1.5, 3.5 and 2.8% respectively. The procedure has been applied to the determination and speciation of chromium in lake water, tap water and chromium-plating baths.     

Speciation of hexavalent chromium in waters by liquid-liquid extraction and GFAAS determination

Diperoxo chromium oxide is produced by reaction of hydrogen peroxide on chromium(VI). Diperoxo chromium creates a complex with ethyl acetate, while chromium(III) remains in an unchanged form in the aqueous phase. By this means chromium(VI) can be extracted into ethyl acetate from the aqueous phase. The optimal conditions of Cr(III)-Cr(VI) separation, as well as the chromium content of the ethyl acetate phase were determined with graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. In the second extraction of Cr(VI) from ethyl acetate back into water phase an additional preconcentration of chromium(VI) can be carried out. The detection limit (3σ) of the developed method found to be 200 ng dm^− 3 for the first extraction and 50 ng dm^− 3 after using the twofold extraction. In consequence of the matrix free ethyl acetate phase after the first extraction, with this separation a really extensive preconcentration of chromium(VI) can be realized.     

Simultaneous speciation of arsenic,selenium, and chromium: species stability,sample preservation,and analysis of ash and soil leachates

An analytical method using high-performance liquid chromatography separation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection previously developed for the determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) has been adapted to allow the determination of As(III), As(V), Se(IV), Se(VI), Cr(III), and Cr(VI) under the same chromatographic conditions. Using this method, all six inorganic species can be determined in less than 3 min. A dynamic reaction cell (DRC)–ICP-MS system was used to detect the species eluted from the chromatographic column in order to reduce interferences. A variety of reaction cell gases and conditions may be utilized with the DRC–ICP-MS, and final selection of conditions is determined by data quality objectives. Results indicated all starting standards, reagents, and sample vials should be thoroughly tested for contamination. Tests on species stability indicated that refrigeration at 10 °C was preferential to freezing for most species, particularly when all species were present, and that sample solutions and extracts should be analyzed as soon as possible to eliminate species instability and interconversion effects. A variety of environmental and geological samples, including waters and deionized water [leachates] and simulated biological leachates from soils and wildfire ashes have been analyzed using this method. Analytical spikes performed on each sample were used to evaluate data quality. Speciation analyses were conducted on deionized water leachates and simulated lung fluid leachates of ash and soils impacted by wildfires. These results show that, for leachates containing high levels of total Cr, the majority of the chromium was present in the hexavalent Cr(VI) form. In general, total and hexavalent chromium levels for samples taken from burned residential areas were higher than those obtained from non-residential forested areas. Arsenic, when found, was generally in the more oxidized As(V) form. Selenium (IV) and (VI) were present, but typically at low levels.     

Speciation of chromium in wastewater and sludge by extraction with liquid anion exchanger Amberlite LA-2 and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple, integrated method for the speciation of chromium in wastewater and sewage sludge was developed, utilising liquid anion exchange by Amberlite LA-2 (LAES) and final determination by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Samples were filtered through a 0.45 μm membrane filter and chromium species were determined in filtered water samples and in sludge on the filters. In the former case (filtrate), total Cr was determined directly by ETAAS, while for the determination of Cr(VI) the filtrate was buffered to pH 6.4, extracted with LAES and Cr(VI) was determined in the organic extract. Cr(III) was determined by the difference. In the latter case (filter), the filters were leached with an alkaline buffer solution (pH 12.7) and the supernatant was subjected to the same extraction procedure. For the determination of total leachable Cr, the filters were subjected to acid leaching with dilute HNO₃ (pH 1) and the supernatant was subjected to ETAAS, after appropriate dilution with water. Then, Cr(III) was determined by the difference. The limits of detection (LOD) were 0.39 and 0.45 μg l⁻¹ for total Cr and Cr(VI), respectively, in the dissolved phase and 2.10 and 0.87 ng g⁻¹ for total Cr and Cr(VI) in the suspended solids. The recoveries of total Cr and Cr(VI) in filtrated wastewater samples and filters were quantitative, ranged from 93 to 106%. The effect of time and temperature of sonication and suspended solids concentration on total Cr and Cr(VI) recovery was studied. No significant difference in recoveries was obtained for sonication temperatures between 30 and 70 °C. However, sonication time equal to or higher than 30 min and concentration of suspended solids equal to or less than 30 mg significantly improved Cr recovery. The ETAAS program for the determination of Cr(VI) in Amberlite/MIBK extract was carefully optimised in the absence of a chemical modifier to avoid memory effects. The developed analytical method was applied for the determination of chromium species in wastewater and suspended solids of a municipal and a lab-scale wastewater treatment plant.     

Speciation of chromium in mineral waters and salinas by solid-phase extraction and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

A simple GF-AAS method for speciation analysis of chromium in mineral waters and salinas was developed. Cr(VI) species were separated from Cr(III) by solid-phase extraction with APDC (ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate). The APDC complexes were formed in the sample solution under proper conditions, adsorbed on Diaion HP-2MG resin and the resin was separated from the sample. After elution with concentrated nitric acid Cr(VI) was determined by GF-AAS. Total chromium was determined by GF-AAS directly in the sample and Cr(III) concentration was calculated as the difference between those results.

The detection limit of the method defined as 3 s of background variation was 0.03 μg l⁻¹ for Cr(VI) and 0.3 μg l⁻¹ for total chromium. RSD for Cr(VI) determination at the concentration of 0.14 μg l⁻¹ was 9%, and for total chromium at the concentration of 5.6 μg l⁻¹ was 5%. The recovery of Cr(VI) was in the range of 94–100%, dependently on type of the sample.

The investigation of recovery of the spiked Cr(VI) showed that at concentration levels near 1 μg l⁻¹ and lower recovery may be reduced significantly even by pure reagents that seem to be free from any reductants.     

Tea-industry waste activated carbon, as a novel adsorbent, for separation, preconcentration and speciation of chromium

Activated carbon was produced from tea-industry wastes (TIWAC) and employed as a low cost and effective solid phase material for the separation, preconcentration and speciation of chromium species without using a complexing agent, prior to determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). The characterization of TIWAC was performed by utilizing several techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), and elemental analysis. The adsorption experiments were conducted in a batch adsorption technique. Under the experimental conditions, Cr(VI) adsorption amount was nearly equal to zero, however the adsorption percentage of Cr(III) was in the range of 95–100%. Therefore total chromium was determined after the reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was calculated by subtracting Cr(III) concentration from total chromium concentration. The suitable conditions for adsorption and speciation processes were evaluated in terms of pH, eluent type and volume, TIWAC concentration, adsorption and desorption contact time, etc. Adsorption capacity of TIWAC was found to be 61.0 mg g⁻¹. The detection limit for Cr(III) was found to be 0.27 μg L⁻¹ and the preconcentration factor was 50 for 200 mL of sample volume. The procedure was applied to the determination and speciation of chromium in stream, tap and sea water. Also, the proposed method was applied to total chromium preconcentration in microwave digested tobacco and dried eggplant samples with satisfactory results. The method was validated by analyzing certified reference materials (CRM-TMDW-500 Drinking Water and CRM-SA-C Sandy Soil C) and the results were in good agreement with the certified values.     

Separation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) using melamine-formaldehyde resin and determination of both species in water by FAAS

A method is described for the determination of Cr(VI) and total chromium by FAAS. Cr(VI) is separated from Cr(III) by adsorption on melamine-formaldehyde resin. After elution of Cr(VI) with 0.1 mol/l NaAc solution, it is analysed by FAAS. Total chromium is determined by FAAS after conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide, total Cr(VI) is concentrated as above. If the total concentration of chromium is sufficient, the determination can be directly made by FAAS. Cr(III) can then be calculated by subtracting Cr(VI) from the total Cr. This method was successfully applied to the determination of chromium in lake water.     

Chromium speciation study in polluted waters using catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry and tangential flow filtration

The catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry (CAdSV) has been applied to physico-chemical chromium speciation study in the upper Dunajec catchment, severely polluted by the tannery wastewater. The method is based on the adsorptive preconcentration of the Cr(III)-diethylenetriammine-N,N,N′,N″,N″-pentaacetic acid (DTPA) complex and the utilization of the catalytic reaction in the presence of nitrate. Under optimized conditions the CAdSV enables the oxidation state speciation study of Cr content by direct determination of Cr(VI) in the presence of the predominant Cr(III) concentration with the detection limit for chromium(VI) of 0.08 nM and the linearity range from 0.1 to 80 nM obtained for 20 s of accumulation, as well as the determination of total Cr after UV oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI). Due to the difference in the chemical properties of different chromium species the CAdSV method makes possible a speciation study of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) oxidation state. The RSD of the determination of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) varies from 0.5 to 5%. It has been proved that in natural water in which strong complexants of Cr(III) such a humid acids are presented, Cr(VI) can be determined accurately in the presence of high excess of Cr(III). Fractionation of selected water samples with tangential flow filtration (TFF, cut-off 10 and/or 1 kDa) provides insight into physical Cr speciation, i.e. partitioning of the Cr(VI) and Cr(III) between the colloidal and the dissolved fractions. It has been shown that the content of the Cr species in the Dunajec river depends on the season, and is significantly higher in autumn and winter during the most intensive tanneries production processes. The concentration of total Cr exceeds occasionally the legally admissible level. A large fraction of total Cr(III) concentration is associated with the colloidal material, while Cr(VI) occurs solely in the truly dissolved form.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water after preconcentration of its 1,5-diphenylcarbazone complex on amberlite XAD-16 resin and determination by FAAS

A simple and sensitive method for the speciation, separation and preconcentration of Cr(VI) and Cr(III) in tap water was developed. Cr(VI) has been separated from Cr(III) and preconcentrated as its 1,5-diphenylcarbazone complex by using a column containing Amberlite XAD-16 resin and determined by FAAS. Total chromium has also been determined by FAAS after conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by oxidation with KMnO₄. Then, Cr(III) has been calculated by subtracting Cr(VI) from the total. The effect of acidity, amount of adsorbent, eluent type and flow rate of the sample solution on to the preconcentration procedure has been investigated. The retained Cr(VI) complex was eluated with 10 ml of 0.05 mol l⁻¹ H₂SO₄ solution in methanol. The recovery of Cr(VI) was 99.7±0.7 at 95% confidence level. The highest preconcentration factor was 25 for a 250 ml sample volume. The detection limit of Cr(VI) was found as 45 μg l⁻¹. The adsorption capacity of the resin was found as 0.4 mg g⁻¹ for Cr (VI). The effect of interfering ions has also been studied. The proposed method was applied to tap water samples and chromium species have been determined with the relative error <3%.     

Speciation Analysis of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) after Solid Phase Extraction Using Modified Magnetite Nanoparticles

A new solid phase extraction (SPE) method has been developed for the speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI). This method is based on the adsorption of Cr(VI) on modified alumina‐coated magnetite nanoparticles (ACMNPs). Total chromium in different samples was determined as Cr(VI) after oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) using H₂O₂. The chromium concentration has been determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) technique and amount of Cr(III) was calculated by substracting the concentration of Cr(VI) from total chromium concentration. The effect of parameters such as pH, amount of adsorbent, contact time, sample volume, eluent type, H₂O₂ concentration and cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) concentration as modifier on the quantitative recovery of Cr(VI) were investigated. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the preconcentration factor, detection limit, linear range and relative standard deviation (RSD) of Cr(VI) were 140 (for 350 mL of sample solution), 0.083 ng mL^?1, 0.1‐10.0 ng mL^?1 and 4.6% (for 5.0 ng mL^?1, n = 7), respectively. This method avoided the time‐consuming column‐passing process of loading large volume samples in traditional SPE through the rapid isolation of CTAB@ACMNPs with an adscititious magnet. The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination and speciation of chromium in different water and wastewater samples and suitable recoveries were obtained.     

On-line preconcentration using dual mini-columns for the speciation of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) and its application to water samples as studied by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry

On-line preconcentration system for the selective, sensitive and simultaneous determination of chromium species was investigated. Dual mini-columns containing chelating resin were utilized for the speciation and preconcentration of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water samples. In this system, Cr(III) was collected on first column packed with iminodiacetate resin. Cr(VI) in the effluent from the first column was reduced to Cr(III), which was collected on the second column packed with iminodiacetate resin. Hydroxyammonium chloride was examined as a potential reducing agent for Cr(VI) to Cr(III).The effects of pH, sample flow rate, column length, and interfering ions on the recoveries of Cr(III) were carefully studied. Five millilitres of a sample solution was introduced into the system. The collected species were then sequentially washed by 1 M ammonium acetate, eluted by 2 M nitric acid and measured by ICP-AES. The detection limit for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) was 0.08 and 0.15 μg l⁻¹, respectively. The total analysis time was about 9.4 min.The developed method was successfully applied to the speciation of chromium in river, tap water and wastewater samples with satisfied results.     

Separation,preconcentration and speciation of chromium by solid phase extraction on immobilised ferron

A sensitive and simple method for determination of chromium species after separation and preconcentration by solid phase extraction (SPE) has been developed. For the determination of the total concentration of chromium in solution, Cr(VI) was efficiently reduced to Cr(III) by addition of hydroxylamine and Cr(III) was preconcentrated on a column of immobilised ferron on alumina. The adsorbed analyte was then eluted with 5?mL of hydrochloric acid and was determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometery. The speciation of chromium was affected by first passing the solution through an acidic alumina column which retained Cr(VI) and then Cr(III) was preconcentrated by immobilised ferron column and determined by FAAS. The concentration of Cr(VI) was determined from the difference of concentration of total chromium and Cr(III). The effect of pH, concentration of eluent, flow rate of sample and eluent solution, and foreign ions on the sorption of chromium (III) by immobilised ferron column was investigated. Under the optimised conditions the calibration curve was linear over the range of 2–400?µg?L^?1 for 1000?mL preconcentration volume. The detection limit was 0.32?µg?L^?1, the preconcentration factor was 400, and the relative standard deviation (%RSD) was 1.9% (at 10?µg?L^?1; n?=?7). The method was successfully applied to the determination of chromium species in water samples and total chromium in standard alloys.     

Determination of extractable chromium from leather

Abstract  People are exposed to chromium ions from leather materials due to everyday contact with different textile objects. The problem is that Cr(VI) is extremely toxic and may cause contact allergic dermatitis on the skin and may also be a trigger for many diseases. Huge amounts of chromium ions are released by waste waters to rivers after chromium-tanning processes in the leather industry; the presence of chromium is not only a problem for human health, but also for the environment. For this reason it is extremely important to monitor the presence of chromium as Cr(VI) and as total chromium. This study aims to present an appropriate analytical method for monitoring Cr(VI) and the total chromium present on leather materials. Applying this method to chromium-tanned leather samples, it was observed that the amounts of total chromium as well as of Cr(VI) are higher than prescribed and recommended by different regulations. Chromium(VI) exceeded the limit of 3 mg/kg in the majority of tested materials, while the total chromium exceeded the limit of 50 mg/kg in all tested samples. For this reason, it is recommended to avoid direct and prolonged contact of those materials with the skin. Graphical abstract        

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.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in Environmental Samples after Solid Phase Extraction on Amberlite XAD–2000

A method for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in real samples has been developed. Cr(VI) has been separated from Cr(III) and preconcentrated as its pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) complex by using a column containing Amberlite XAD–2000 resin and determined by FAAS. Total chromium has also been determined by FAAS after conversion of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by oxidation with KMnO₄. Cr(III) has been calculated by subtracting Cr(VI) from the total. The effect of pH, flow‐rate, adsorption and batch capacity and effect of various metal cations and salt anions on the sorption onto the resin were investigated. The adsorption is quantitative in the pH range of 1.5–2.5, and Cr(VI) ion was desorbed by using H₂SO₄ in acetone. The recovery of Cr(VI) was 97 ± 4 at a 95% confidence level. The highest preconcentration factor was 80 for a 200 mL sample volume. The adsorption and batch capacity of sorbent were 7.4 and 8.0 mg g^?1 Cr(VI), respectively, and loading half time was 5.0 min. The detection limit of Cr(VI) is 0.6 μg/L. The procedure has been applied to the determination and speciation of chromium in stream water, tap water, mineral spring water and spring water. Also, the proposed method was applied to total chromium preconcentration in microwave digested moss and rock samples with satisfactory results. The developed method was validated with CRM‐TMDW‐500 (Certified Reference Material Trace Metals in Drinking Water) and BCR‐CRM 144R s (Certified Reference Material Sewage Sludge, Domestic Origin) and the results obtained were in good agreement with the certified values. The relative standard deviations were below 6%.     

Speciation of chromium in water using crosslinked chitosan-bound FeC nanoparticles as solid-phase extractant, and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Crosslinked chitosan-bound FeC nanoparticles (CCBFeCNP) were prepared, and the adsorptive behavior of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) on CCBFeCNP were assessed. At pH 6.0–10.0, CCBFeCNP is selective towards Cr(III) but hardly selective towards Cr(VI). The retained Cr(III) is subsequently eluted with 0.5 mol L⁻¹ HCl. Total chromium is determined after reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by ascorbic acid. A new method of flow injection using a micro-column packed with CCBFeCNP as solid phase extractant has been developed for speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in water samples, followed by flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The effects of pH, sample flow rate and volume, elution solution and interfering ions on the recoveries of Cr(III) were systematically investigated. Under optimum conditions, the adsorption capacity of CCBFeCNP for Cr(III) is 10.5 mg g⁻¹ at pH 7.5. The procedure presented was applied to chromium speciation in water samples, and the results were satisfactory.     

The effect of Cr(III)-organic complexes on the determination of inorganic chromium species in groundwater by ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate–methylisobutylketone extraction procedure

Groundwater samples collected from a tannery contaminated area were analyzed for chromium species with the objective of investigating the interference of Cr(III)-organic complexes in the determination of Cr(VI) using APDC–MIBK extraction procedure. The contribution of Cr(III), Cr(VI) and Cr(III)-organic complexes towards total chromium ranged between 2 and 61%, 27 and 86%, and, 6 and 23%, respectively. The Cr(III)-organic complexes were not extractable by APDC–MIBK, however, HNO₃ digestion released the organic bound Cr(III). Interference of organic bound Cr(III) in Cr(VI) determination due to MIBK soluble Cr(III) was not observed. Significant difference between total dissolved chromium determined after appropriate digestion procedure, and the sum of dissolved Cr(III) and Cr(VI) determined indicates the presence of the Cr(III)-organic complexes. MIBK extraction of samples without APDC is an useful way to check the extractability of organic bound Cr(III). The presence of soluble Cr(III)-organic complexes thus add complexity to chromium speciation analysis by APDC–MIBK procedure.     

Simultaneous determination of hexavalent and total chromium in water and plating baths by spectrophotometry

A new spectrophotometric determination method of hexavalent chromium in waste water and plating baths is described based on the oxidation of beryllon III by chromium(VI) in 0.02M sulphuric acid medium. The decrease in the absorbance of beryllon III was measured at 482 nm with an apparent molar absorptivity of 5.15 x 10(4)1.mole(-1).cm(-1). Beer's law was obeyed for chromium(VI) over the range 0-25 mug/25 ml. After the oxidation of Cr(III) to Cr(VI) by ammonium persulphate, total chromium can be determined. Therefore, chromium(III) can be calculated by subtracting chromium(VI) from total chromium. The detection limit is 0.015 and 0.020 mug/25 ml for chromium(VI) and total chromium, respectively. A sensitive spectrophotometric method for trace Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in waste water and plating baths was developed with good precision and accuracy. The reaction is also discussed.