Gas-phase chemiluminescent determination of inorganic selenium in water samples following flow injection hydride generation and cryotrapping

We describe a method for the determination of inorganic selenium in water samples via gas-phase chemiluminescence (GPCL). Se(IV) was first derivatized with 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine to form 5-nitropiazselenol. The latter was decomposed by persulfate through photocatalytic oxidation to give Se(VI), which was reduced to Se(IV). Selenium hydride was generated from Se(IV) through reduction with sodium borohydride and then preconcentrated using cryotrapping. The cryotrapped hydride was evaporated and carried to a reaction chamber by a stream of helium, where it produced GPCL as a result of ozonation. The method exhibits a wide linear calibration range (from 0.5?μg?L^?1 to 1.0?mg?L^?1) with a detection limit of 0.12?μg?L^?1 (for n?=?11), and a relative standard deviation of 3.90?% (at n?=?11) at 5.0?μg?L^?1 level of selenium. The method was applied to the determination of inorganic selenium in water samples and gave satisfactory results.

Speciation analysis of selenium in rice samples by using capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

An enzyme-assisted extraction used to extract all species of selenium in rice sample and a sensitive analytical method for the determination of ultratrace Se(VI), Se(IV), SeCys₂ (selenocystine) and SeMet (selenomethionine) with capillary electrophoresis-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry were firstly described in this study. The extraction method is simple, effective and can be used to extract trace selenium compounds in rice with high extraction efficiency and no altering its species. The analytical method has a detection limit of 0.1-0.9 ng Se/mL, and can be used to determine trace Se(VI), Se(IV), SeCys₂ and SeMet in rice directly without any derivatization and pre-concentration. With the help of above methods, we have successfully determined Se(VI), Se(IV), SeCys₂ and SeMet in selenium-enriched rice within 18 min with a recovery of 90-103% and a RSD (relative standard deviation, n = 6) of 3-7%. Our results indicated that selenium-enriched rice contained only one species of selenium, SeMet, and its concentration is in range of 0.136-0.143 μg Se/g dried weight. The proposed method providing a realistic approach for the nutritional and toxical evaluation of different selenium compounds in nutritional supplements.     

Voltammetric determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in saline samples—Studies with seawater, hydrothermal and hemodialysis fluids

Determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in high saline media was investigated by cathodic stripping voltammetry (CSV). The voltammetric method was applied to assay selenium in seawater, hydrothermal and hemodialysis fluids. The influence of ionic strength on selenium determination is discussed. The CSV method was based on the co-electrodeposition of Se(IV) with Cu(II) ions and Se(VI) determined by difference after sample UV-irradiation for photolytic selenium reduction. UV-irradiation was also used as sample pre-treatment for organic matter decomposition. Detection limit of 0.030 μg L⁻¹ (240 s deposition time) and relative standard deviation (RSD) of 6.19% (n = 5) for 5.0 μg L⁻¹ of Se(IV) were calculated. Linear calibration range for selenium was observed from 1.0 to 100.0 μg L⁻¹. Concerning the pre-treatment step, best results were obtained by using 60 min UV-irradiation interval in H₂O₂/HCl medium. Se(VI) was reduced to the Se(IV) electroactive species with recoveries between 91.7% and 112.9%. Interferents were also investigated.     

Differential determination of selenium(IV) and selenium(VI) with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and dithizone by atomic-absorption spectrophotometry with a carbon-tube atomizer

The extraction behaviour of selenium(IV) and selenium(VI) with sodium diethyldithiocarbamate, ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate and dithizone in organic solvents has been investigated by means of flameless atomic-absorption spectrophotometry with a carbon-tube atomizer. The selective extraction of selenium(IV) and differential determination of selenium(IV) and selenium(VI) have been developed. With sodium diethyldithiocarbamate and carbon tetrachloride, when the aqueous phase/organic solvent volume ratio is 5 and the injection volume in the carbon tube is 20 microl, the sensitivity for selenium is 0.4 ng/ml for 1% absorption. The relative standard deviations are ca. 3%. Interference by many metal ions can he prevented by masking with EDTA. The proposed methods have been applied satisfactorily to determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in various types of water.     

Effect of nitric acid for equal stabilization and sensitivity of different selenium species in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Determination of selenium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) is complicated by the presence of different species of this analyte. The presence of different oxidation states (−II, IV and VI) may result in different sensitivities obtained for each species rendering impossible the use of a single species for calibration. These species also exhibit different behaviours regarding thermal stabilities; the temperature program must be provided to conform to this problem. Chemical modifiers are commonly used for thermal stabilization of selenium species. In this study, experiments were carried out to demonstrate the effect of nitric acid in the presence of chemical modifiers. Nickel and palladium + magnesium were selected as the most commonly used chemical modifiers. Using both aqueous and human serum solutions it has been demonstrated that although chemical modifiers provide thermal stabilization of species so that higher ashing temperatures can be used, equal sensitivities cannot be achieved unless nitric acid is also present. Selenite, selenate, selenomethionine and selenocystine were used in experiments. When equal sensitivities for all these species are achieved, determination of total selenium by ETAAS can be performed by using a single species as the standard; selenite was used in this study. Precision was 5.0% or better using peak height signals. There was no significant difference in detection limits (3s) when Ni or Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ was used as chemical modifier; 37 and 35 pg of selenium were found to be the detection limits for Ni and Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ chemical modifiers, respectively. For chemical modifications, either 5 μg of Ni or 0.5 μg of Pd and 5 μg of Mg(NO₃)₂ were used; final solutions contained 2.5% HNO₃. In serum analyses, 10 μg of Ni was used in presence of 2.5% HNO₃.     

Selective photometric determination of low conentrations of selenium(IV) and selenium(VI) in bottled drinking water

A procedure is developed for the selective photometric determination of selenium(IV) in bottled drinking water by the oxidation of Methylene Blue in 1 M HCl to colorless decomposition products and of selenium(VI) by its interaction with the specified reagent at pH 5–6 with the formation of a colored ion pair. The limits of detection are 1 and 0.8 µg/L, respectively. At the concentration of selenium(IV) 2 µg/L, the admissible weight ratios are: SeO₄^2-, Br₃^- (1: 20); Br^– (1: 60); I^–, IO₃^- and IO₄^- (1: 100). At equal concentration of selenium(VI), the following species: SeO₄^2-(1: 20); Br₃^-, Br^–, I^–, IO₃^-, and IO₄^- (1: 100) do not interfere with the determination. Other anions and cations present in highly mineralized waters do not interfere with the determination. The relative error of determination is 8–10% in the concentration range 2–10 µg/L of selenium(IV) and selenium(VI) and does not exceed 5% in their concentration range of 10–100 µg/L.     

Spectrophotometric determination of traces of selenium(IV) in various environmental samples using the flow-injection technique (FIT)

A simple, sensitive, and rapid flow-injection spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of selenium(IV). The method is based on the oxidation reaction of 3-methyl-2-benzothiazolinone hydrazone hydrochloride (MBTH) by selenium(IV) followed by the coupling reaction with chromotropic acid (4.5-dihydroxy naphthalene-2.7-disulphonic acid) in a basic medium (phosphate buffer, pH 10.5) to give a pink derivative with λ_max 530 nm that is stable for more than 7 days at 35°C. The reaction and flow conditions of the full experimental design were optimized. A detection limit (2s) of 0.25 μg/L Se(IV) was obtained at a sampling rate of 10 samples per hour. Beer’s law is obeyed for a Se(IV) concentration range of 0.05–0.5 μg/mL at the wavelength of maximum absorption. The detailed study of various interference ions indicates that the method is highly selective. The method was successfully applied to the determination of traces of selenium(IV) in various water samples. The results obtained were in good agreement with those obtained by the reported methods at the 95% confidence level. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Comparison of no gas and He/H2 cell modes used for reduction of isobaric interferences in selenium speciation by ion chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) used for the detection of most common selenium isotopes ⁷⁸Se (23.8%, abundance) and ⁸⁰Se (49.6%, abundance) is interfered in the presence of ³⁸Ar⁴⁰Ar⁺ and ⁴⁰Ar⁴⁰Ar⁺ in argon (Ar) gas. To address this issue, ICP-MS with an octopole reaction system (ORS) was explored for the detection of selenite and selenate, which was separated by anion-exchange chromatography. Results indicate that it was possible to detect ⁷⁸Se using no collusion gas, while to detect ⁸⁰Se a H₂ as the collusion/reaction gas was recommended since the background and noise were significantly reduced using H₂ as the gas. The selenium speciation interested was separated on a new column (G3154/101A, Agilent technologies) within 5 min using a mobile phase containing 10 mM NH₄H₂PO₄ and 20 mM NH₄NO₃ at pH 6.5. Linear plots were obtained in a concentration range of 1–200 μg/L with detection limits less than of 0.4 μg/L for ⁸⁰Se (IV) and 0.6 μg/L for ⁸⁰Se (VI) using H₂ as the reaction gas. Finally, the proposed method was used in the determination of selenium in water and soil.     

Chemical equilibria and sequential extractive spectrophotometric determination of selenium(IV) and (VI) using the chromogenic reagent 4,4′-dichlorodithizone

The chromogenic reagent 4,4′-dichloro(3-mercapto-1,5-diphenylformazan), Cl₂H₂D _Z , forms a yellow–red-coloured complex with selenium(IV). The produced complex species was extracted quantitatively into n-hexane, and its absorbance was measured at 416?nm. The chemical composition of the extracted selenium(IV)-Cl₂H₂D _Z chelate and the molar absorptivity at 416?nm were found to be [SeO (Cl₂HD _Z )₂] and 9?×?10⁴?L?mol^?1?cm^?1, respectively. The values of the extraction constants (K _D, K _ex, β) enable a convenient application of the proposed system for the liquid–liquid extraction procedure and sequential spectrophotometric determination of traces of inorganic selenium(IV) and/or selenium(VI) after reduction of the later to selenium(IV) with HCl (6?M). Beer's law and Ringbom's plots were obeyed in the concentration range 0.01–20 and 0.5–19?µg?mL^?1 of selenium(IV), respectively, with a relative standard deviation of 2.2%. The proposed method has been successfully applied to the determination of selenium(IV) or (VI) and total inorganic selenium(IV) and (VI) in tap and freshwater samples.     

Cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of selenium(IV) at a thin-film mercury electrode in a thiocyanate-containing electrolyte

The well-known method for the determination of selenium(IV), which is based on the cathodic stripping voltammetry of copper(I) selenide, has been adapted for application at the thin-film mercury electrode on glassy carbon (TFME). Insufficient reproducibility and sensitivity have been overcome by using a 0.1 mol/L HClO₄ electrolyte solution containing 0.02 mol/L thiocyanate ions. Thiocyanate ions have been found to increase the peak height of the selenium response and shift it to more positive potentials. This behaviour is explained by an adsorption of SCN^– at the interface glassy carbon/Cu₂Se and its action as an electron transfer catalyst between glassy carbon and copper(I) selenide. A 3σ-detection limit of 75 ng/L Se^(IV) has been achieved. The relative standard deviation is 5.2% at 5 μg/L selenium(IV). The influence of cadmium(II), arsenic(III), zinc(II), iron(III) and lead(II) ions on the selenium response has been studied. In case of lead ions, a new signal occurred at more negative potentials than the reduction of Cu₂Se. This signal, which is probably due to the reduction of PbSe, can also be used for the determination of selenium(IV).     

Cathodic stripping voltammetric determination of selenium(IV) at a thin-film mercury electrode in a thiocyanate-containing electrolyte

The well-known method for the determination of selenium(IV), which is based on the cathodic stripping voltammetry of copper(I) selenide, has been adapted for application at the thin-film mercury electrode on glassy carbon (TFME). Insufficient reproducibility and sensitivity have been overcome by using a 0.1 mol/L HClO₄ electrolyte solution containing 0.02 mol/L thiocyanate ions. Thiocyanate ions have been found to increase the peak height of the selenium response and shift it to more positive potentials. This behaviour is explained by an adsorption of SCN^– at the interface glassy carbon/Cu₂Se and its action as an electron transfer catalyst between glassy carbon and copper(I) selenide. A 3σ-detection limit of 75 ng/L Se^(IV) has been achieved. The relative standard deviation is 5.2% at 5 μg/L selenium(IV). The influence of cadmium(II), arsenic(III), zinc(II), iron(III) and lead(II) ions on the selenium response has been studied. In case of lead ions, a new signal occurred at more negative potentials than the reduction of Cu₂Se. This signal, which is probably due to the reduction of PbSe, can also be used for the determination of selenium(IV). Received: 13 November 1996 / Revised: 19 December 1996 / Accepted: 24 December 1996     

Preconcentration and in-situ photoreduction of trace selenium using TiO2 nanoparticles, followed by its determination by slurry photochemical vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

We have developed a method for the determination of trace levels of total selenium in water samples. It integrates preconcentration, in-situ photoreduction and slurry photochemical vapor generation using TiO₂ nanoparticles, and the determination of total selenium by AFS. The Se(IV) and Se(VI) species were adsorbed on a slurry of TiO₂ nanoparticles which then were exposed to UV irradiation in the presence of formic acid to form volatile selenium species. The detection limits were improved 17-fold compared to hydride generation and 56-fold compared to photochemical vapor generation, both without any preconcentration. No significant difference was found in the limits of detection (LODs) for Se(IV) and Se(VI). The LOD is as low as 0.8 ng L^?1, the precision is better than 4.5 % (at a level of 0.1 μg L^?1 of selenium). The method gave good recoveries when applied to the determination of total selenium in a certified tissue reference material (DORM-3) and in spiked drinking water and wastewater samples containing high concentrations of transition and noble metal ions. It also excels by very low LODs, a significant enhancement of sample throughput, reduced reagent consumption and sample loss, and minimal interference by transition and noble metal ions.

The spectrophotometric determination of arsenic in sea water,potable water and effluents

Procedures are described for the determination of arsenic in sea water, potable waters and effluents. The sample is treated with sodium borohydride added at a controlled rate. The arsine evolved is absorbed in a solution of iodine and the resultant arsenate ion is determined photometrically by a molybdenum blue method. The time required for a complete analysis is about 90 min, but of this only 15 min is operator time. For sea water the range, standard deviation, and detection limit are 1–4 μgl^-1, 1.4 % and O.14 μg l^-1, respectively; for potable waters they are 0–800 μg l^-1, about 1 % (at 20μg l^-1 level) and 0.5μg l^-1, respectively. Silver and copper cause serious interference at levels of 0.5 mgl^-1, and nickel, cadmium and bismuth interfere at concentrations of a few tens of mg l^-1; however, these elements can be removed either by preliminary extraction with a solution of dithizone in chloroform or by ion exchange. Arsenic present in organo-arsenic compounds is not directly determinable, but can be rendered reactive either by photolysis with ultraviolet radiation or by oxidation with permanganate or nitric—sulphuric acid mixture. Arsenic(V) can be determined separately from total inorganic arsenic after extracting arsenic(III) as its pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate into chloroform.     

Inorganic selenium speciation in environmental samples using selective electrodeposition coupled with electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Speciation analyses are of increasing interest in the environmental, toxicological and analytical fields, because the toxicity and reactivity of trace elements depend strongly on the chemical forms in which they are present. A simple electrodeposition–electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry method for speciation analysis of some organic and inorganic selenium species in typical environmental water and agricultural soil samples has been developed. The method is based on the selective reduction of water-soluble Se(IV) and selenocystine (Se–Cys) species by an uncontrolled applied potential (1.8 V) on a mercury-coated electrode. In acidic media (1.0 M HCl solution) the only inorganic selenium species electrodeposited was Se(IV), and, of the water-soluble organic selenium species Se–Cys and Se–Met only Se–Cys was electrodeposited onto the mercury electrode surface. The proposed methodology was successfully applied to the speciation and determination of selenium in a few environmental samples. The spiked recovery value varied between 91% and 99%. The suggested method has been shown to have a characteristic mass (m₀) of 25 pg, a limit of detection (LOD) of 1.0 μg L^− 1 and a relative standard deviation (RSD%) of 3.5% for 6 measurements at a concentration of 100 μg L^− 1 Se(VI).     

Dithizone immobilized silica gel on-line preconcentration of trace copper with detection by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel adsorbent-silica gel bound dithizone (H₂Dz-SG) was prepared and used as solid-phase extraction of copper from complex matrix. The H₂Dz-SG is investigated by means of FT-IR spectra and the SEM images, demonstrating the bonding of dithizone. The H₂Dz-SG quantitatively adsorb copper ions, and the retained copper is afterwards collected by elution of 10% (v/v) nitric acid. An on-line flow injection solid-phase extraction procedure was developed for trace copper separation and preconcentration with detection by flame atomic spectrometry. By loading 5.4 mL of sample solution, a liner range of 0.5-120 μg L⁻¹, an enrichment factor of 42.6, a detection limit of 0.2 μg L⁻¹ and a precision of 1.7% RSD at the 40 μg L⁻¹ level (n = 11) were obtained, along with a sampling frequency of 47 h⁻¹. The dynamic sorption capacity of H₂Dz-SG to Cu²⁺ was 0.76 mg g⁻¹. The accuracy of the proposed procedure was evaluated by determination of copper in reference water sample. The potential applications of the procedure for extraction of trace copper were successfully accomplished in water samples (tap, rain, snow, sea and river). The spiking recoveries within 91-107% are achieved.     

Ceramic composite electrode for the determination of selenium(IV) by stripping voltammetry

A ceramic composite electrode for the determination of selenium(IV) was manufactured using solgel and screen-printing technologies. This electrode exhibits a higher sensitivity and selectivity in comparison with the other studied carbon-containing electrodes. The effect of the type and amount of graphite powder, modifier, catalyst, and pore-forming agent on the properties of the ceramic composite electrode was investigated. It was found that an increase in the pore size in the electrode reduced the selectivity of selenium(IV) determination. The calibration plot was linear over the range 0.1–20 μg/L at an accumulation time of 10 s. The relative standard deviation for the determination of 1.0 and 0.05 μg/L of selenium(IV) (n = 5) was 3% and 8%, respectively. The detection limit of selenium(IV) was 0.02 μg/L at an accumulation time of 90 s. The results of selenium(IV) determination in natural and mineral waters are presented.     

Ultraviolet Spectrophotometric Determination of Selenium by 1-Pyrrolidinecarbodithioate Method

Abstract

An ultraviolet spectrophotometric method for the determination of selenium has been developed using ammonium 1-pyrrolidinecarbo-dithioate. The selenium(IV)-1-pyrrolidinecarbodithioate complex is extracted with chloroform and the absorbance of the extract measured at 303 mμ. Conformity to Beer's law was found for 0.5 to 9 ppm of selenium.     

Extraction,Spectrophotometric, and Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometric Determination of Selenium With N-Phenylbenzohydroxamic Acid

Abstract

Solvent extraction spectrophotometric and atomic absorption spectrophotometric methods for the determination of selenium(IV) in microgram quantities are described. The selenium(IV) forms yellow colored complex with N-phenylbenzohydroxamic acid (PBHA) extractable into chloroform from 7 M HClO₄. Se-PBHA complex has maximum absorbance at 345 nm with a molar absorptivity 1.5 × 10⁵ 1 mol^?1 cm^?1 and Sandell's sensitivity 0.000526 μg /cm². Effect of molarity, reagent concentration, diverse ions on the extraction of selenium complex were studied. The selenium is determined in presence of tellurium.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric determination of trace amounts of selenium based on the catalytic reduction of maxilon blue-SG by sulfide

A simple and sensitive catalytic spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of trace amounts of selenium. The method is based on the catalytic effect of selenium in form Se(IV) on the reduction of Maxilon Blue-SG by sodium sulfide. Indicator reaction is followed spectrophotometrically by measuring the absorbance change at λ_max=654 nm and constant temperature (30.0±0.1 °C) by fixed time method. Selenium could quantitatively be determined in the range 0.004-0.200 μg ml⁻¹ Se(IV) with a detection limit of 0.205 ng ml⁻¹ Se(IV). All of the variables that affected the reaction rate were investigated and established optimum conditions to give maximum sensitivity. The R.S.D.s of the method (N=12) for the Se(IV) concentrations of 0.004, 0.016, 0.040 and 0.160 μg ml⁻¹ are between 2.27 and 0.32%, respectively, and depended on Se(IV) concentration. The interference effect of various anion and cations on the Se(IV) determination was also fully studied. The selectivity of catalytic reaction was greatly improved with the use of the strong cation exchange resin. The developed kinetic-catalytic reaction was applied to the determination of selenium in real samples as Antioxidant-S, Selsun (which is a healthcare product for the treatment of dandruff) and analytical grade sodium metabisulfite, and in spring water samples without any pre-concentration. The acceptable recoveries were obtained by the method for appropriate standard Se(IV) additions. The method is simple, practical and suitable for using in small laboratories owing to its precision, sensitivity and relative selectivity.     

Determination of selenium in human milk by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry and chemical modification

A method was developed for the determination of selenium in human milk using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The use of chemical modifiers as well as their implications during the pyrolysis step was examined. The chemical modifiers that were studied were Zr, Ir as well as the mixed modifier Zr-Ir. The Ir modifier stabilized selenium at 1000 °C, Zr at 800 °C, while the mixed modifier at 1200 °C. The effect of modifier mass was studied and was found that better results are achieved with addition of 2 μg Zr and 2 μg Ir. The characteristic masses of selenium in the presence of Zr, Ir and the mixed modifier were found to be 73.3, 18.0 and 14.7 pg, respectively, while the corresponding limits of detection were found 2.0, 0.50 and 0.41 μg l⁻¹. Consequently better results were obtained with the mixed modifier. The developed method was applied for the determination of selenium in human milk, which was digested with a HNO₃ + H₂O₂ mixture in a microwave oven. The limit of detection of the method was 1.37 μg l⁻¹, the characteristic mass, m₀, was 48.8 pg and the repeatability was less than 5% as R.S.D.(%). Matrix matched calibration was used. Recoveries were estimated to be 93-105%. The method was applied to breast milk of Greek women (n = 9) and the Se content was found to be in the range 16.7-42.6 μg l⁻¹ with mean value 27.4 ± 5.5 μg l⁻¹.