Uncommon multivariate statistical methods for environmental studies: A review

In this paper we describe the characteristics and the applications of the multivariate methods for spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques independent component analysis (ICA) and two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2DCOS) focused to their use in environmental studies. In our opinion, these methods are important because they allow to characterize environmental samples with different aims and scopes from those generally obtained by means of more common multivariate methods such as principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS). The new insights of these methods in recent environmental studies are reviewed and debated.     

Applications of single-drop microextraction in analytical chemistry: A review

Single-drop microextraction (SDME) has been recognized as one of the simple miniaturized sample preparation tools for the isolation and preconcentration of several analytes from a complex sample matrix. In this review, we explored the applications of SDME coupled with various analytical techniques (spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectrometry) for the analysis of organic molecules, inorganic ions, and biomolecules from various sample matrices including food, environmental, clinical, pharmaceutical, and industrial samples. Also, it summarizes the use of nanoparticles in SDME combined with various analytical tools for the rapid analysis of several trace-level target analytes. An overview of ionic liquids, deep eutectic solvents, and SUPRAS, which improved the selectivity and sensitivity of various analytical techniques toward several analytes, as promising extracting solvent systems in SDME is also included. Finally, discussed the impressive analytical features and future perspectives of SDME in this review article.     

State of the art of environmentally friendly sample preparation approaches for determination of PBDEs and metabolites in environmental and biological samples: A critical review

Green chemistry principles for developing methodologies have gained attention in analytical chemistry in recent decades. A growing number of analytical techniques have been proposed for determination of organic persistent pollutants in environmental and biological samples. In this light, the current review aims to present state-of-the-art sample preparation approaches based on green analytical principles proposed for the determination of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) and metabolites (OH-PBDEs and MeO-PBDEs) in environmental and biological samples. Approaches to lower the solvent consumption and accelerate the extraction, such as pressurized liquid extraction, microwave-assisted extraction, and ultrasound-assisted extraction, are discussed in this review. Special attention is paid to miniaturized sample preparation methodologies and strategies proposed to reduce organic solvent consumption. Additionally, extraction techniques based on alternative solvents (surfactants, supercritical fluids, or ionic liquids) are also commented in this work, even though these are scarcely used for determination of PBDEs. In addition to liquid-based extraction techniques, solid-based analytical techniques are also addressed. The development of greener, faster and simpler sample preparation approaches has increased in recent years (2003–2013). Among green extraction techniques, those based on the liquid phase predominate over those based on the solid phase (71% vs. 29%, respectively). For solid samples, solvent assisted extraction techniques are preferred for leaching of PBDEs, and liquid phase microextraction techniques are mostly used for liquid samples. Likewise, green characteristics of the instrumental analysis used after the extraction and clean-up steps are briefly discussed.     

Spectral and computational chemistry studies for the optimization of geometry of dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of some unsymmetrical Schiff bases as antimicrobial agent

Abstract

This analysis highlights the design, spectroscopic characterization and quantum mechanical calculation of some new dioxomolybdenum(VI) complexes of some dibasic tetradentate Schiff bases. Ligands were derived from mono 5-bromosalicylaldehyde-orthophenylenediamine (^BrSal-OPD) and different 2-hydroxyketone derivatives. The characterization was performed by elemental analysis, FTIR, electronic, ¹H NMR and mass spectra, magnetic and molar conductance studies. Structure of the ligands and complexes were designed depending on experimental data and computational studies. According to all data, distorted octahedral geometry was proposed where oxygen atoms are in cis position. Prepared complexes exhibit moderate antimicrobial properties when evaluated against some pathogenic bacteria and fungi. Pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated to search their biological action, for example, absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity.     

Analytical methods for determination of free metal ion concentration, labile species fraction and metal complexation capacity of environmental waters: A review

Different experimental approaches have been suggested in the last few decades to determine metal species in complex matrices of unknown composition as environmental waters. The methods are mainly focused on the determination of single species or groups of species.The more recent developments in trace elements speciation are reviewed focusing on methods for labile and free metal determination.Electrochemical procedures with low detection limit as anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) and the competing ligand exchange with adsorption cathodic stripping voltammetry (CLE-AdCSV) have been widely employed in metal distribution studies in natural waters. Other electrochemical methods such as stripping chronopotentiometry and AGNES seem to be promising to evaluate the free metal concentration at the low levels of environmental samples. Separation techniques based on ion exchange (IE) and complexing resins (CR), and micro separation methods as the Donnan membrane technique (DMT), diffusive gradients in thin-film gels (DGT) and the permeation liquid membrane (PLM), are among the non-electrochemical methods largely used in this field and reviewed in the text. Under appropriate conditions such techniques make possible the evaluation of free metal ion concentration.     

Environmental monitoring approaches for the detection of organic contaminants in marine environments: A critical review

This review reports different approaches for monitoring the presence of organic contaminants in marine environments. From the traditional standard chromatographic methodologies coupled to different detectors to the recent advances in sensor technology, different strategies have been adopted by researchers aiming to provide more comprehensive, realistic and accurate environmental monitoring data sets. Reports on chemical analysis by different techniques of marine water and sediments, using grab and passive sampling techniques, are the most abundant in literature, showing relevant developments. Analysis of the marine biota (biomonitoring) has also been widely used as a proxy for the detection of organic chemicals in seawater, with bivalves being the most used as sentinel specie. Such biomonitoring can provide insights on bioavailability and bioaccumulation of organic pollutants, which is not possible to obtain by water and sediment analysis solely. Furthermore, effect-based methods are also presented as an important approach when it comes to obtain environmental meaningful data, such as potential toxicity and hazards posed by the complex chemical mixtures to local biota. This approach is reported to be a useful tool for screening areas without any previous knowledge on chemical composition, with subsequential qualitative and quantitative characterization being performed by chemical analysis. Finally, some of the most recent developments in sensor and biosensor technology for environmental purposes are also discussed, with some proof-of-concept studies showing promising results. However, further development and validations work is strongly advised prior to the use of those sensing platforms in real field trials.     

Ultra-sensitive fully automated immunoassay for detection of propanil in aqueous samples: steps of progress toward sub-nanogram per liter detection

The widely-used pesticide propanil is a selective post-emergent general-use acetanilide herbicide registered for control of broadleaf and grass weeds in rice, small grain, and turf. Because broad application and quite heavy use of this herbicide lead to contaminated sites and, consequently, contaminated water, immunoanalytical methods with very low limits of detection (LOD) and low limits of quantification (LOQ) are becoming increasingly important for environmental analysis and, especially, for monitoring drinking-water quality. Environmental monitoring of pesticides, hormones, endocrine-disrupting chemicals, and antibiotics in aqueous samples (e.g. surface, ground, waste, or drinking water) with quite difficult matrices places large demands on chemical analysis. Biosensors have suitable characteristics such as efficiency in enabling very fast, sensitive, and cost-effective detection. Here we describe the steps of progress toward sub-nanogram per liter detection of propanil with a fully automated immunoassay. In contrast with common analytical methods such as GC–MS or HPLC–MS the biosensor used requires no sample pre-treatment and pre-concentration. The basis of our sensitive assay is an antibody with a high affinity constant toward propanil. During the optimization process, we compared different surface modifications (four different immobilized derivatives) and reduced the amount of antibody per sample. In fact, optimization of the assay resulted in an LOD of 0.6 ng L^–1 and an LOQ of 4.5 ng L^–1 without any sample pre-treatment and without pre-concentration. These results for propanil with the RIANA instrument, and its improved sensitivity for detection of a single pesticide at the low nanogram per liter range, show that biosensors can compete with common analytical methods in the field of water analysis.