Simultaneous analysis of selenate and selenite by single-column ion chromatography

Summary A rapid, selective and sensitive method has been developed for the simultaneous determination of selenate [Se(VI)] and selenite [Se(IV)] at trace levels by single-column ion chromatography. p-Hydroxybenzoic acid (4 mM) at pH 8.0 was used as the eluent. A low capacity resin-based anion-exchange column was employed for the separation with conductometric detection for quantification. The method requires minimal sample pretreatment. Resolution (R_s) between Se(VI)/Se(IV) was 6.76. Chloride, nitrate and sulfate did not interfere with selenium separation. The detection limits for Se(VI) and Se(IV) were 0.06 μg/ml and 0.110 μg/ml, respectively. The relative standard deviation using a 500-μl loop was 0.90 to 1.86% for Se(VI) and Se(IV), respectively. The method was applied to analyze seleniferous soil samples.     

Kinetic determination of selenium using the reduction of nile blue with sulfide ions

The catalytic effect of Se(IV) was first observed in the reaction of the reduction of Nile Blue with sulfide ions. Optimal conditions for the determination of selenium by this reaction were found. The dependence of the reaction rate on the concentration of Se(IV) was linear in the concentration range 0.008-0.16 μg/mL. Solvent extraction with dithiophosphoric acids was proposed for the separation of selenium from the interferents. A procedure for the extraction-kinetic determination of selenium with the detection limit 0.006 μg/mL was developed.     

Separation and preconcentration of Se(IV)/Se(VI) speciation on algae and determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry in sediment and water

A novel method for the separation and preconcentration of Se(IV)/ Se(VI) with algae and determination by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) has been developed. The Se(VI) is extracted with algae from the solution containing Se(IV)/Se(VI) at pH 5.0, and the remaining Se(IV) is then preconcentrated pH 1.0. The detection limits (3σ, n = 11) of 0.16 μg L^–1 for Se(IV) and 0.14 μg L^–1 for Se(VI) are obtained using 40 mL of solution. At the 2.0 μg L^–1 level the relative standard deviation is 2.6% for Se(IV) and 2.3% for Se(VI). The method has been applied to the determination of Se(IV)/Se(VI) in sediment and water samples. Analytical recoveries of Se(IV) and Se(VI) added to samples are ?97 ± 5% and 102 ± 6% (95% confidence), respectively. Received: 10 February 1999 / Revised: 21 June 1999 / /Accepted: 22 June 1999     

Separation and determination of selenium in water samples by the combination of APDC coprecipitation: X-ray fluorescence spectrometry

A sensitive and non chromatographic analytical procedure for the separation of inorganic selenium species in natural water has been performed. A combination of APDC coprecipitation and determination by an absolute thin layer Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry method was used. The influence of various analytical parameters such as element concentration, oxidation states and pH on the recoveries of Se (IV) was examined. The presence of organic matter and bicarbonate anions, typical components in Cuban groundwater samples, was also tested. Negligible matrix effects were observed. At pH 4 a 100% recovery was found for Se (IV). The coprecipitation recovery of the oxidized selenium species (Se (VI)) was null for the selected concentration range (5–100 μg L⁻¹). When the Se (VI) was reduced by heating the solution with 4 mol L⁻¹ HCl, quantitative recovery was also obtained. The determination of total selenium was conducted by the application of the oxidation–reduction process and the analytical procedure for Se (IV). Se (VI) content was calculated as the difference between total selenium and Se (IV). The detection limit was 0.13 μg L⁻¹. The relative standard deviation was lower than 3.5% for 5 μg L⁻¹ of Se (IV). The trueness of the method was verified by using standardized hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry technique. The results obtained using the EDXRF technique were in good agreement with the ones determined by HG-AAS. The proposed method was applied to the determination of Se (IV) in surface water and groundwater samples.     

Atomic-absorption spectrophotometric determination of ultramicro amounts of selenium(IV) and total selenium in sulphuric acid

Summary Ultramicro amounts of selenium in sulphuric acid are determined by a new atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. Selenium(IV) is directly determined ater extraction into toluene with an aromatic o-diamine and addition of nickel(II) prior to atomization; the determination of total selenium (0, IV and VI) needs a treatment of the sample with selected oxidizing and reducing agents.In the studied samples, total selenium (0.003–0.022 g of Se in 1 ml sulphuric acid) is present only in the tetravalent state. The detection limit of the method is 0.003 g of selenium.

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Atomabsorptions-spektralphotometrische Bestimmung von Ultramikromengen Selen(IV) und Gesamtselen in Schwefelsäure

Zusammenfassung Selen(IV) kann direkt bestimmt werden nach Toluolextraktion der mit einem aromatischen o-Diamin behandelten Lösung und Zusatz von Nickel(II). Die Bestimmung von Gesamtselen (0, IV, VI) erfordert eine Vorbehandlung mit Perchlor- bzw. Salpetersäure und Wasserstoffperoxid. Die Nachweisgrenze des Verfahrens beträgt 0,003 g Se. In den untersuchten Proben war das Gesamtselen (0,003–0,022 g/ml) nur als Se(IV) vorhanden.

     

Spectrophotometric determination of selenium(IV) with 4-methyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">o</Emphasis>-phenylenediamine based on piazselenol formation

A method has been developed for the spectrophotometric determination of selenium(IV) using 4-methyl-o-phenylenediamine (MOPDA) as a chromogenic reagent. In hydrochloric acid media at about pH 2, MOPDA forms a piazselenol complex with selenium(IV), which gives an absorption maximum at 332 nm. After transfer of the formed piazselenol complex into organic phase with n-hexane, the absorbance of the piazselenol complex was measured by a UV-Vis spectrophotometer. The effective parameters of the experimental conditions such as pH, formation time of the complex, amount of MOPDA, ionic strength, volume of sample and effects of diverse ions, were investigated. The detection limit of the proposed method was found to be 0.95 μg/L Se(IV) (n = 14, 3σ). The method was successfully applied to tap water, sea water and wastewater samples from washings of flue gases with satisfactory results.     

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     

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 trace titanium with titanium(IV)-(DBC-arsenazo)-potassium bromate system by catalytic-kinetic spectrophotometry

In a 0.080 M sulphuric acid medium, trace titanium(IV) catalyzes the discoloring reaction of DBC-arsenazo oxidized by potassium bromate and the discoloring degree is proportional to the concentration of titanium(IV) in the solution. A new catalytic-kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of trace titanium(IV) was developed based on this principle. At a wavelength of 516 nm, the linear range of determination of titanium(IV) is 0–2.2 μg/25 mL. The detection limit for the determination of titanium is 2.04 ng/mL. The present method has been satisfactorily applied to the determination of titanium in fish samples. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Study of the bioavailability of selenium in cows’ milk after a supplementation of cow feed with different forms of selenium

The purpose of the work described in this paper was to develop an easy and quick in-vitro method for comparing the bioavailability of selenium in cows’ milk after different cow feed. The study focuses on bioavailability differences resulting from the use of different selenium species (organic selenium as selenised yeast and sodium selenite) for supplementation of forage. A procedure for determination of selenium in cows’ milk and dialysates, by hydride-generation atomic-fluorescence spectrometry (HG-AFS) after microwave-assisted acid digestion, was optimised. The results show it is possible to obtain cows’ milk enriched with selenium at different concentration without altering the original composition of the milk. The bioavailability was statistically greater for cows’ milk obtained after supplementation of forage with organic selenium at levels of 0.4 and 0.5 μg Se g⁻¹ than for that obtained after supplementation with inorganic and organic selenium at levels of 0.2 and 0.3 μg Se g⁻¹.     

Optimization of the reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) in a microwave oven

 Parameters for the reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV) in HCl medium by heating in a microwave oven have been optimized. The reduction resulted to be quantitative applying 100% power, corresponding to 600 W heating for 2 min in 6 mol/L or for 3 min in 4 mol/L HCl. The behavior of selenomethionine and selenocystine under the optimized reduction conditions was studied in order to evaluate a possible interference of these selenium species in the determination of Se(VI). The final determination of Se(IV), and Se(VI) were done by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry. The analytical merits of the method are reported. The method was applied to the selective determination of Se(IV), and Se(VI) in spiked river and lake water. Received: 6 December 1996/Revised: 1 April 1997/Accepted: 3 April 1997     

Flow injection for the determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave oven on-line prereduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV)

An on-line flow injection system has been developed for the selective determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in citric fruit juices and geothermal waters by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with microwave-aided heating prereduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV). The samples and the prereductant solutions (4 mol l⁻¹ HCl for Se(IV) and 12 mol l⁻¹ HCl for Se(VI)) which circulated in a closed-flow circuit were injected by means of a time-based injector. This mixture was displaced by a carrier solution of 1% v/v of hydrochloric acid through a PTFE coil located inside the focused microwave oven and mixed downstream with a borohydride solution to generate the hydride. The linear ranges were 0–120 and 0–100 μg l⁻¹ of Se(IV) and Se(VI), respectively. The detection limits were 1.0 μg l⁻¹ for Se(IV) and 1.5 μg l⁻¹ for Se(VI). The precision (about 2.0–2.5% RSD) and recoveries (96–98% for Se(IV) and 94–98% for Se(VI)) were good. Total selenium values were also obtained by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry which agreed with the content of both selenium species. The sample throughput was about 50 measurements per hour. The main advantage of the method is that the selective determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) in citric fruit juices and geothermal waters is performed in a closed system with a minimum sample manipulation, exposure to the environment, minimum sample waste and operator attention.     

Simultaneous determination of arsenic, selenium and antimony species using HPLC/ICP-MS

A new method for the simultaneous separation and determination of four arsenic species [As(III), As(V), monomethylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid], three selenium species [Se(IV), Se(VI) and selenomethionine] as well as Sb(III) and Sb(V) is presented. The speciation was achieved by on-line coupling of anion exchange high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Chromatographic parameters such as the composition and pH of the mobile phase were optimised. Limits of detection are below 4.5 μg L^–1 (as element) for Sb(III) and the selenium species and below 0.5 μg L^–1 for the other species. Precisions of retention times were better than 2% RSD and of peak areas better than 8% RSD for all the species investigated. Received: 13 January 1999 / Accepted: 4 March 1999     

Kinetic spectrophotometric method for the determination of selenium(IV) by its catalytic effect on the reduction of spadns by sulphide in micellar media

A simple kinetic spectrophotometric method was developed for the determination of ultratrace amounts of Se(IV). The method is based on the reduction of spadns by sulphide in micellar media. The reaction was monitored spectrophotometrically by measuring the decrease in the absorbance of spadns at 515 nm with a fixed-time method. The decrease in the absorbance of spadns is proportional to the concentration of Se(IV) in the range 0.5–100 ng/mL with a fixed time of 2.5–7.0 min from the initiation of the reaction. The limit of detection is 0.3 ng/mL Se(IV). The relative standard deviation for the determination of 0.02 and 0.10 μg/mL Se(IV) was 2.10 and 1.95%, respectively. The method was applied to the determination of Se(IV) in water. The text was submitted by the authors in English.     

Kinetic spectrophotometric method for simultaneous determination of selenium and tellurium using partial least squares calibration

A kinetic-spectrophotometric method for the simultaneous determination of Se(IV) and Te(IV) is described. The method is based upon the catalytic effect of these cations on the reaction of toluidine blue with sulfide. Partial least squares calibration method was employed for the data manipulation and analysis. The concentrations were varied between 0.02-0.24 and 0.01-0.08 μg/ml for Se(IV) and Te(IV), respectively. Cross-validation method was used to select the optimum number of factors (NF). The root mean square errors of difference for selenium and tellurium were 1.2 and 1.7 μg/ml, respectively. Application of the method to artificial samples and several mixtures of standard solutions of Se(IV) and Te(IV) were performed and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with insitu graphite tube trapping for the determination of Se (IV) and Se (VI) in baltic sea water samples

This paper reports the results of an optimisation study for a procedure to determine the total selenium and its inorganic species, Se(IV) and Se(VI) using atomic absorption spectrometry combined with hydride generation and in-situ trapping of the analyte on the inner walls of the graphite tube. With the use of the proposed modification, a detection limit (3σ) of 0.018 ng/ml is achieved. This paper presents exemplary results, according to the proposed procedure, for selenium determination in samples of marine water. The concentrations of selenium in the samples ranged from <0.02 ng/ml to 0.16ng/ml of Se(IV) and from <0.02 ng/ml to 0.10 ng/ml of Se(VI).     

Speciation of arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) by cathodic stripping voltammetry in fresh water samples

A voltammetric stripping procedure is described for the determination of arsenic(V) in a mannitol-sulphuric acid medium. The arsenic is coprecipitated with copper and selenium and reduced to arsine at the hanging mercury drop electrode. Using an accumulation time of 240 s, the detection limit is 0.52 μg L^–1, the determination limit is 0.9 μg L^–1. The method has been applied to the determination of arsenic in water samples. By varying the composition of the supporting electrolyte it is possible to differentiate between arsenic(III) and arsenic(V). As both oxidation states have different toxicological characteristics, the ability to discriminate between both is an distinct advantage of the proposed method. Received: 25 October 1996 / Revised: 7 February 1997 / Accepted: 12 February 1997     

Sequential determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) by flow injection-hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry with HCl/HBr microwave aided pre-reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV)

In this study a flow injection (FI) system used in conjunction with hydride generation (HG), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and microwave (MW) aided pre-reduction of selenite (Se(IV)) to selenate (Se(IV)) with HCl:HBr has been developed in order to differentiate both inorganic selenium species. As full control of the MW reduction step is possible, the experimental approach allows the use of milder acidic conditions (10% v/v of HCl and HBr) than those conventionally accomplished with hydrochloric acid alone (≥50% v/v). Experimental parameters were optimized by the univariate optimization method. In either case, the linear range was from 1.0 to 30 μg l⁻¹. The detection limits based on 3σ of the blank signal were 0.25 μg l⁻¹ for Se(IV) and 0.30 μg l⁻¹ for Se(VI). The reproducibility, about 3% RSD and recoveries of different amounts of Se(VI) and Se(IV) added to water and orange juice samples (97–103%) were good. The main advantage of the proposed method is that the sequential determination of Se(IV) and Se(VI) is performed at a high sampling frequency (ca. 50 samples per h) in a closed system without Se losses, and with a minimum sample waste, operator attention, and sample manipulation.     

Chemiluminescence system of Ce(IV)-RhB-bismerthiazol

A novel chemiluminescence system for the determination of bismerthiazol is first described in this paper. It is based on the chemiluminescence reaction of bismerthiazol and Ce(IV) in nitric acid solution. The emission intensity could be enhanced greatly by Rhodamine B. The chemiluminescence intensity was proportional to bismerthiazol concentration over the range 30–1000 μg/L. The detection limit was 12 μg/L (3σ) and the relative standard deviation is 2.4% for 500 μg/L of bismerthiazol (n = 11). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of bismerthiazol in water and in rice. The recovery was 96.4%–104.1%. __________ Translated from Chinese Journal of Applied Chemistry, 2007, 24(5): 593–595     

Catalytic Spectrophotometric Determination of Nanogram Amounts of Selenium(IV)

A method is proposed for the catalytic spectrophotometric determination of nanogram amounts of selenium(IV). The method is based on the reduction of nitrate with iron(II) ethylenediaminetetraacetate catalyzed by Se(IV) compounds. The reaction proceeds in several stages and yields iron(III) ethylenediaminetetraacetate, the nitrosyl complex of iron, nitrous acid, and other products. Nitrous acid enters into the diazotization reaction with aromatic amine. The resulting diazo compound is coupled with another aromatic amine to form the azo compound. 4-Nitroaniline is used as the diazo component, and N-diethyl-N-(1-naphthyl)ethylenediamine is used as the azo component. The molar absorptivity of the solution of the azo compound is 4.5 × 10⁴ at 540 nm. A kinetic method was developed for the determination of selenium(IV) in potable and natural waters with the use of the standard addition method. The detection limit of selenium by the proposed method is 0.1 ng/mL. In the determination of 0.2 and 2 ng/mL selenium, the relative standard deviation is 6 and 2%, respectively. The interfering effect of organic compounds dissolved in natural water is eliminated by the ultrasonic treatment of water samples.