Comparison of recoveries of inogranic and organic incorporated75Se by four mineralization methods of biological material

The recovery of selenium⁷⁵Se added as selenite to human blood and to mixed food, and the recovery of biologically incorporated⁷⁵Se from different rat tissues were determined by using four mineralization methods. The recoveries of⁷⁵Se after dry ashing /HNO₃, Mg/NO₃/₂/ and after three wet digestion methods — 1. HNO₃, HClO₄ 2. HNO₃, HClO₄, H₂SO₄ 3. HNO₃, HClO₄, MgCl₂ were as follows: 50–106%, 96–99%, 92–99% and 97–100%, resp. Losses of⁷⁵Se in wet digestion /HNO₃, HClO₄/ were observed at the end of the procedure, when an excess of acids was evaporated. The addition of MgCl₂ to the digestion mixture prevented the escape of⁷⁵Se and thus permitted the total evaporation of the digest without any loss of selenium.     

Application of ICP-AES to the determination of rare earth elements in phosphate samples

Summary ICP-AES has been used for the determination of rare earth elements (REE) in samples of phosphorite deposits collected from the Western Desert, Egypt. Complete dissolution of the samples was achieved by using acid digestion with HF/HNO₃/HCl in a PTFE closed vessel and subsequent treatment with HClO₄, with the same procedure but with fuming HCl replacing HClO₄ and with HNO₃ and fuming HCl in a quartz vessel and subsequent treatment with HF/HClO₄/HNO₃. Analysis lines for La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Sm, Gd, Dy and Y were selected after study of the spectral interferences for the sample types concerned. Results revealed that the average total content of the REE, which could be directly determined in the present samples, varies between 1.08 and 1.53 mg/g, whereas individual element concentrations range from 40 to 300 g/g. Analysis results obtained with the different dissolution techniques were found to be in good agreement. On leave from the National Research Centre, Physics Department — Spectroscopy Laboratory, Cairo, Egypt     

The effect of sample preparation on metal determination in soil by FAAS

Different methods for the determination of several metals in soils by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) were investigated. Different procedures for total dissolution of soil: I – HF+HClO₄, H₃BO₃, HCl digestion (conventional heating), II – HF+HClO₄, H₃BO₃ digestion followed by fusion with LiBO₂ (conventional heating) and III – HF+HCl+HNO₃, H₃BO₃ digestion (microwave heating), as well as a leaching procedure with HNO₃+HClO₄, HCl were tested and compared. For quality assessment, the certified reference material S-1 soil was used. For most of the investigated metals, the best accuracy and precision were achieved when the procedure I or III were used. The developed procedure was applied to the analysis of soil samples from crude oil refinery and dump of petroleum origin wastes regions. Received: 22 Dezember 1997 / Revised: 9 February 1998 / Accepted: 12 February 1998     

The effect of sample preparation on metal determination in soil by FAAS

Different methods for the determination of several metals in soils by flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS) were investigated. Different procedures for total dissolution of soil: I – HF+HClO₄, H₃BO₃, HCl digestion (conventional heating), II – HF+HClO₄, H₃BO₃ digestion followed by fusion with LiBO₂ (conventional heating) and III – HF+HCl+HNO₃, H₃BO₃ digestion (microwave heating), as well as a leaching procedure with HNO₃+HClO₄, HCl were tested and compared. For quality assessment, the certified reference material S-1 soil was used. For most of the investigated metals, the best accuracy and precision were achieved when the procedure I or III were used. The developed procedure was applied to the analysis of soil samples from crude oil refinery and dump of petroleum origin wastes regions.     

Assessment of three digestion procedures for Zn contents in Pakistani soil by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

Evaluation of three different digestion procedures for accurate determination of elemental concentration in soils was undertaken. The digestion procedures, two leaching and a total dissolution processes were compared for twenty-one soil samples. The soil standard reference materials (SRMs), IAEA Soil-5 and IAEA Soil-7 were analysed for quality control purposes. Zinc (Zn) was analysed using flame atomic absorption spectrometry (FAAS). Precise analysis was accomplished in the SRM and soil samples, which was better than 4.7% for leaching and total dissolution procedure. Compared with the elemental concentration in soil samples, HF–HClO₄ procedure achieved greater accuracy, where as HNO₃–H₂O₂ and HNO₃–H₂SO₄–HCl procedures were comparable with slight variation in a few samples.     

Comparative study of bulk and partial digestion methods for airborne PM10-bound elements in a high mineral dust urban site in Constantine,Algeria

When high mineral loads in atmospheric particulate matter (PM) are present, particular attention should be paid to the selection of appropriate acidic digestion protocols for wet chemical analysis. We report on a comparative study of elemental recovery yields from five different pre-analytical acid digestion procedures for mineral-rich urban background PM₁₀ samples collected in the city of Constantine (Northeastern Algeria). Five reference materials (NIST 1633b, UPM 1648, NAT-7, SO-2 and SO-4) were also digested according to the same protocols. The selected acidic digestion/extraction procedures are widely used for PM chemical analysis and comprise P1 (HNO₃/HF/HCl), P2 (HCl/HNO₃), P3 (HCl/H₂O₂/HNO₃), P4 (HNO₃/HF/HClO₄) and P5 (HNO₃/H₂O₂); the latter assisted with microwave digestion. Elemental recovery yields were compared for major and trace elements typically determined in PM for source apportionment analysis and the results evidenced large differences. For most elements, the bulk extraction procedures (requiring the use of HF) allowed a full elemental recovery, particularly for elements that are associated with aluminium silicate species and oxides that are resistant to mild acid attack. In contrast, in the extraction protocols without HF low recovery yields were obtained for elements such as Al, Ti, Zr, Sc and other aluminium silicate-related elements in PM₁₀ samples with high mineral dust load. We highlight that the European standard digestion method EN-14902:2005 should be applied specifically for the metals for which this method was developed, but caution should be taken when the analysis of other elements in PM is required, especially in urban areas where road and vehicle wear dust is likely to be a major component of ambient PM. When using wet chemistry analysis for PM source apportionment studies, we strongly recommend HF bulk dissolution of samples to ensure the reliability of the geochemical information when coupled with an appropriate analytical tool.     

Determination of total chromium in terrestrial and marine samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after pressure digestion

A comparison between two commonly used sample digestion procedures was performed for the determination of total chromium in biological matrices. Ten reference materials (terrestrial and marine matrices) have been digested in HNO₃, HNO₃ + HClO₄ and HNO₃ + HF, respectively, under pressure in quartz vessels of a high pressure asher (HPA) or in PTFE bombs with external heating. Much lower chromium values than expected were obtained in most of the reference materials by using quartz vessels with nitric acid because of adsorption of chromium at quartz surfaces. Determinations after sample digestion in PTFE vessels with external heating showed expected results, except in some reference materials which precipitated more silica. An improvement of the results was observed by using a mixture of nitric acid and perchloric acid, but only the combination of nitric acid and a small amount of HF provided the desired results in all the reference materials studied. Received: 29 January 1997 / Revised: 20 May 1997 / Accepted: 22 May 1997     

Determination of total chromium in terrestrial and marine samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after pressure digestion

A comparison between two commonly used sample digestion procedures was performed for the determination of total chromium in biological matrices. Ten reference materials (terrestrial and marine matrices) have been digested in HNO₃, HNO₃ + HClO₄ and HNO₃ + HF, respectively, under pressure in quartz vessels of a high pressure asher (HPA) or in PTFE bombs with external heating. Much lower chromium values than expected were obtained in most of the reference materials by using quartz vessels with nitric acid because of adsorption of chromium at quartz surfaces. Determinations after sample digestion in PTFE vessels with external heating showed expected results, except in some reference materials which precipitated more silica. An improvement of the results was observed by using a mixture of nitric acid and perchloric acid, but only the combination of nitric acid and a small amount of HF provided the desired results in all the reference materials studied. Received: 29 January 1997 / Revised: 20 May 1997 / Accepted: 22 May 1997     

Comparative study of different digestion procedures using supplementary analytical methods for multielement-screening of more than 50 elements in sediments of the river Elbe

The suitability of four different digestion procedures, i.e. i.) an aqua regia digestion according to DIN 38 414-S7, ii.) a pressure digestion using HNO₃/HF in PTFE-vessels, iii.) a HNO₃/HF + HCl-pressure digestion in PTFE-vessels and iv.) a HNO₃/HF + HCl-pressure digestion using microwave induction, has been evaluated with regard to the quantitative determination of about 50 elements in environmental samples. Three sediments of the river Elbe and two standard reference materials (MESS-1 and NIST 1645) have been employed. The analytical results from the dissolved samples, obtained using inductively coupled plasma mass- and optical emission spectrometry as well as total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry, have been compared with those obtained by instrumental neutron activation analysis. Only digestion procedures using HNO₃/HF with a subsequent evaporation to dryness and dissolution in HCl have led to appropriate results for a wide range of elements (more than 50 elements in total). Because of its low contamination risk and its time saving, the microwave digestion is preferred. For this digestion procedure the accordance among the different instrumental methods used is high (better than 15% deviation) in general. A few elements (16) could be determined quantitatively only by a single method.     

Total arsenic content of nine species of Antarctic macro algae as determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Total arsenic in nine species Antarctic macro algae has been measured, by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry using a Pd/Mg(NO₃)₂ matrix modifier, to determine their capacity to accumulate the element. Macro algae were collected in February during the 2000 austral summer season at Jubany Station (Argentinean scientific station) around Potter Cove, King George Island. An optimized two-step microwave (MW) program was used to digest the samples. Dried samples were treated with HNO₃, H₂O₂, and HF, left overnight, then subjected to the first MW cycle. After cooling HNO₃ and HClO₄ were added and samples were subjected to the second MW cycle of digestion treatment. The effect of power and time on As recovery was examined. The analytical features of the method were: detection limit, 0.24 g g^–1 (dry mass); precision (RSD), 4.2–5.7%; recovery 91–105%. A wide range of As-retention capacity (41.0–447 g g^–1 dry mass) was observed among the different species. The highest levels of As were found in Phaeurus antarcticus (447 g g^–1 dry mass). This organism satisfies several prerequisites to be considered for consideration as a biomonitor in future studies.     

Determination of trace element concentrations in meteorites by inductively coupled plasma — Mass spectromety

Determination of 25 trace elements in the meteorites Allende and Murchison by ICP-MS is described. Samples are digested using HF, HNO₃, and HClO₄ at 140°C and diluted into HNO₃. Element concentrations were determined using USGS terrestrial rocks as standards for calibration. Precision and accuracy of the technique, evaluated based on measurements of samples of known composition, are for 16 elements better than 10%.     

Spectrofluorimetric determination of aluminium in silicon and in electronic grade reagents

Summary A sensitive spectrofluorimetric method is based on the complexation of Al with the dye Mordant Black 17 or Calcon (CI 15705). The complex solution in n-propyl alcohol (1.5×10^–4 mol/l) is mixed (5:20) with 1 mol/l acetic acid — sodium acetate buffer (pH 4.8) and maintained at 40°C for 60 min. The fluorescence intensity is measured at Ex=565 nm, Em=610 nm: The calibration curve for Al was found to be linear in the range 0 to 60 ng×ml^–1 with a standard deviation of =1.5 and an Al detection limit of 3 ng×ml^–1. The interferences due to more than 40 ions were investigated; the presence of Fe³⁺, Cr³⁺, Co²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ti⁴⁺, VO²⁺, ZrO²⁺, WO ₄ ^2– , MoO ₄ ^2– , CrO ₄ ^2– and particularly F^–, must be avoided or masked during the determination of Al. The sample of silicon/silicon dioxide was treated with a mixture of conc. HF and HNO₃ (2:1), followed by digestion and distillation at 90°C to eliminate the matrix as fluorosilicic acid. A small residue of AlF₃ was decomposed with HClO₄. In SiO₂ anodized layers (25–250 g) the minimum detection of Al was estimated to be 10¹⁸ At×cm^–3, in monocrystalline silicon (25–250 mg) 10¹⁶ At×cm^–3. The method can also be employed to determine the presence of Al in the residues by distillation of a small quantity (5–10g) of many solvents or reagent solutions. Presented at: IX. Congresso Nazionale — Div Chim Anal (S.C.I.) Ferrara 1990     

Determination of trace elements in fly ash samples by FAAS after applying different digestion procedure

The fly ash samples obtained from Kangal Power Plant were prepared for FAAS analysis by a new approach. The trace elements of the fly ash samples were leached with appropriate solvents under suitable conditions. The leaching method is known as an effective technique for substances dissolving very hard and refractory materials. The leaching effects of solvents and their mixtures were investigated on fly ash samples that are used largely in analysis of soil and sediment samples.The fly ashes mainly consist of glassy aluminosilicates. The major components of the samples are SiO₂, Al₂O₃, CaO and Fe₂O₃. Therefore, decomposition of the silicate lattice of the fly ash is required for liberation of trace elements. The dissolution process can be completed by using a mineral acid such as concentrated HCl. This technique has an advantage that the fly ash can be dissolved without any oxidation at room temperature.Maximum element recoveries were obtained by the procedure of 37% HCl leaching after the samples were treated with 2.0 ml of concentrated HF. It was also observed that maximum mass loss occurred in this procedure. The effect of the four leaching reagents, which are HCl, HNO₃, HClO₄ and HNO₃ + HClO_4, were investigated on fly ash samples that were treated with concentrated HF. An optimum leaching method was determined based on the confidence of analytical results and element recovery rates.     

不同消解方式对土壤中锑的原子荧光法检测影响

氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱法是土壤环境中锑检测所广泛使用的方法．土壤的消解前处理分别采用王水微波消解（半消解）、混酸全消解（硝酸＋高氯酸＋氢氟酸）方式．研究结果表明王水微波消解对锑的检测效果较好,标准土壤9次测定值的相对标准偏差为3．6％,实际样品的回收率为96％-102％．而采用混酸全消解的方式测定值偏低,实际样品的回收率为78％～86％,而且精密度超过5％,这是由于在赶酸过程中样品易被蒸干而造成痕量锑元素的损失．     

Evaluation of high-pressure microwave digestion methods for hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometric determination of total selenium and arsenic in sediment

Five closed-vessel microwave digestion methods were compared for the accurate determination of arsenic and selenium in NIST SRM 1645 River Sediment by flow-injection hydride-generation atomic absorption spectrometric methods. The digestion methods using five different acid mixtures (HNO₃/ H₂SO₄, HNO₃/HCl0₄, HNO₃/HCl, HNO₃/HCl/HF, HNO₃/H₂SO₄/HClO₄) were all found to be reliable for the determination of the analytes. Taking into consideration the safety and suitability for the analysis of other metals, the methods based on the use ofaqua regia are recommended for closed vessel microwave digestion with pressure control. Using the quick digestion program, the presence of up to 10% organic content in soil samples did not adversely affect the closed vessel digestion and did not cause the loss of volatile analytes. After digestion, opening the vessel under an inner pressure of below 345 kPa (50 psi) had no effect on the accuracy of the results. The recommended digestion methods (HNO₃/HCl and HNO₃/ HCl/HF) for the reliable determination of arsenic and selenium in different sediment samples were demonstrated. The calculated detection limits (3 _b ) were less than 0.030 g/g and 0.033 g/g for arsenic and selenium, respectively. All analytical results for arsenic and selenium in SRM 1645 River sediment, NRCC BCSS-1 Marine Sediment and NIES CRM Pond Sediment were within or near the certified and reported ranges, with the exception of selenium in NIES CRM No. 2 Pond Sediment.     

Comparitive study of the sample decomposition procedures in the determination of trace and rare earth elements in anorthosites and related rocks by ICP-MS

ICP-MS has been used for the determination of over 30 geochemically significant trace elements (Sc, V, Cr, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, Rb, Sr, Y, Zr, Nb, Cs, Ba, Hf, Ta, Pb, Th, U and REEs) in anorthosites and related rock reference samples. Open acid digestion, pressure decomposition using HF, HNO₃ and HClO₄, and a fusion method using lithium metaborate and subsequent dissolution in dil. HNO₃ were adopted for the decomposition of these rock samples before analysis. The dissolution problems and interference effects are discussed. Rh and Bi were used as internal standards. The first set of data on several rare earths and other trace elements in the Russian anorthosite reference sample, MO-6 are presented along with data on other samples. The data are compared with the available data. The results obtained with different dissolution methods were found to be in good agreement for the majority of the trace elements. The accuracy and precision achieved (better than 6% RSD in most cases) suggested that the data obtained by ICP-MS for such samples are best suited for geochemical interpretations.     

New effective and selective extractants for separation and determination of silver

Summary Isopropyl-N-alkylthiocarbamates have been studied as extractants for preconcentration of silver trace amounts and for separation of silver macroquantities. It has been shown that the 0.05M reagents in chloroform extract trace amounts of silver with high distribution coefficients from HNO₃, H₂SO₄, HClO₄ and HCl solutions in wide range of their concentrations. The highest selectivity is obtained when HNO₃, H₂SO₄ or HClO₄ solutions are used. Besides silver only mercury and palladium are extracted. When HC1 solutions are used, gold is also transferred into organic phase. Isopropyl-N-alkylthiocarbamates are effective for extraction of silver from its concentrated (up to 1M) solutions, particularly from HNO₃ solutions: more than 99.9% of silver is extracted even at 2-fold reagent excess. Some characteristics of reagents themselfes have been investigated, such as dissociation, protonation, distribution between organic and aqueous phases and association in organic solvents. The thion forms are found to be predominant. Silver is extracted as coordination solvated compounds Ag(HL) _n X, where X=Cl, Br, J, NO₃. Sulfur serves as a donor atom for their formation.The procedures for silver determination in geological samples by flame atomic absorption (3×10^–7%) and atomic emission (1×10^–7%) have been developed. The procedures for atomic emission determination of 23 trace elements (5×10^–8–1×10^–5%) and for electrothermal atomic absorption determination of 17 trace elements (4×10^–9–8×10^–6%) in high purity silver have also been developed.

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Neue wirksame und selektive Extraktionsmittel für die Trennung und Bestimmung von Silber

Zusammenfassung Isopropyl-N-alkylthiocarbamate wurden als Extraktionsmittel für die Anreicherung von Silberspuren und für die Abtrennung von Makromengen Silber geprüft. Es ergab sich, daß solche 0,05M, in Chloroform gelöste Reagenzien Silberspuren mit hohen Verteilungskoeffizienten aus HNO₃, H₂SO₄, HClO₄ und HCl extrahieren. Die beste Selektivität wurde mit HNO₃, H₂SO₄ oder HClO₄erzielt. Neben Silber werden nur Quecksilber und Palladium extrahiert. Verwendet man HCl, so geht auch Gold in die organische Phase. Isopropyl-N-alkylthiocarbamate eignen sich für die Extraktion von Silber aus konzentrierten (bis zu 1M) Lösungen, besonders aus HNO₃: mehr als 99,9% Silber werden mit zweifachem Reagensüberschuß extrahiert. Einige charakteristische Eigenschaften der in Rede stehenden Reagenzien wurden untersucht: z. B. die Dissoziation, die Protonation, die Verteilung zwischen organischer und wäßriger Phase und die Assoziation in organischen Lösungsmitteln. Hauptsächlich liegen diese Reagenzien in Thionform vor. Silber wird als Ag(HL) _n X extrahiert, worin X für Cl, Br, J oder NO₃ steht. Schwefel fungiert als Donatoratom für deren Bildung.Verfahren zur Silberbestimmung in geologischen Proben mit Hilfe der Flammen-Atomabsorption (3×10^–7%) bzw. der atomaren Emission (l×10^–7) wurden ausgearbeitet. Außerdem wurden auch Verfahren zur Bestimmung von 23 Spurenelementen mittels atomarer Emission (5×10^–8 bis 1×10^–5%) und von 17 Spurenelementen mittels elektrothermaler Atomabsorption (4×10^–9 bis 8×10^–6%) in hochgereinigtem Silber entwickelt.

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The paper has been presented at the Fifth European Conference on Analytical Chemistry (Euroanalysis V), Cracow, August 26–31, 1984.     

Determination of total chromium in Marine Sediment Reference Material BCSS-1

The determination of Cr in National Research Council of Canada Marine Sediment Reference Material BCSS-1 is addressed. Mixed acid digestions utilizing HF, HClO₄ and HNO₃ were investigated. Single microwave assisted digestions in closed vessels at medium pressures (8 bar) were inappropriate (80% recovery). Double digestion at moderate pressure and digestions at high pressure (70 bar) or lengthy open-beaker hot plate dissolutions resulted in 93±5% recovery of certified Cr content. Flame atomic absorption and inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry were used for quantitation. In all cases, the method of standard additions was necessary to eliminate the approximately 10% enhancement in re- sponce relative to unmatched standards. Compared to a certified content of 123±7 g/g (mean and standard deviation), values of 116±6 were obtained using an open beaker digestion; 114±5 using a double microwave digestion at 8 bar; 113±2 for microwave digestion at high pressure and 111±4 at high pressure (81 bar) with triple microwave digestion in a Parr bomb. No acid dissolution procedure is adequate for Cr in this sample although recovery of total Cr is complete from National Institute of Standards and Technology Buffalo River Sediment (SRM 2704).     

Determination of selenium at ng/g- and pg/g-levels by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry in biotic materials

Summary For the determination of Se in environmentally relevant materials in the ng/g- and pg/g-range by hydride generation-AAS, H₂Se was preconcentrated on Chromosorb W at –150° C prior to its atomization in a silica tube. The individual steps of the procedure — decomposition, reduction of Se(VI) to Se(IV), generation, preconcentration and atomization of H₂Se — were optimized, partly using the radioisotope Se-75. Se was determined directly in some water samples, in human hair, finger nails and human serum after decomposition in HNO₃/ HClO₄ and combustion in oxygen, and in proteins of human serum after isotachophoretic separation and decomposition in HNO₃/HClO₄. The detection limit of the overall procedure was found to be 6 pg absolute and the linear dynamic range extends to 6 ng.

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Bestimmung von Selen im ng/g- und pg/g-Bereich durch Hydrid-Atomabsorptionsspektrometrie in biotischen Matrices

Zusammenfassung Zur Bestimmung von Selen in umweltrelevanten Matrices im ng/g- und pg/g-Bereich durch Hydrid-AAS wurde H₂Se auf Chromosorb W bei –150° C vor der Atomisierung in der Quarzküvette angereichert. Die einzelnen Verfahrensschritte — Aufschluß, Reduktion von Se(VI) zu Se(IV), H₂Se-Entwicklung, H₂Se-Anreicherung und Atomisierung — wurden, teilweise mit dem Radioisotop Se-75, optimiert. Se wurde in einigen Wässern direkt, in Humanhaar, Fingernägeln und Humanserum nach Aufschluß in HNO₃/HClO₄ und nach Verbrennung im Sauerstoffstrom und in Proteinen von Humanserum nach isotachophoretischer Trennung und Aufschluß in HNO₃/ HClO₄ bestimmt. Die Nachweisgrenze des gesamten Verfahrens liegt bei 6 pg absolut und der lineare Bereich erstreckt sich bis 6 ng.

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Dedicated to Prof. Dr. R. Bock on the occasion of his 70th birthday     

Comparison of Sample Digestion Procedures for the Determination of Arsenic in Bottom Sediment Using Hydride Generation AAS

Certified reference materials (JMS-2 and JMS-1 – Marine sediment, LKSD-1 Lake Sediment, and STSD-1 Stream Sediment) and bottom sediment were analysed for arsenic by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS) after digestion by different methods (microwave digestion, digestion in aluminium block, dry digestion) and different combinations of acids (HNO₃, HCl, HClO₄, H₂SO₄). The study revealed that both wet and dry digestion can be used to digest the reference materials and bottom sediment. Exceptionally satisfactory results were produced by the application of aqua regia, HNO₃ + HCl + HClO₄, and HNO₃ + HCl mixtures. Addition of Mg(NO₃)₂ during dry digestion caused an increase in arsenic recovery in the reference materials and improved the accuracy of arsenic determination in the bottom sediments.