Separation and determination of arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) in sea-water by solvent extraction and atomic-absorption spectrophotometry by the hydride-generation technique

Arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) in sea-water have been separated by complexing the arsenic(III) with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) in the range 4.0-4.5 and extracting the complex with chloroform. The organic phase is then wet-ashed with a 1:1 mixture of concentrated nitric acid and perchloric acid to get rid of all organics, and the arsenic(III) is determined by hydride generation and atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. Total arsenic is determined by first reducing arsenic(V) to arsenic(III) with potassium iodide and then applying the method used for arsenic(III). The arsenic(V) content is determined by difference. The low detection limit of 0.031 ng ml and the high sensitivity and precision make the method suitable for analysis of open ocean waters.     

Differential preconcentration of arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) with thionalide loaded on silica gel

2-Mercapto-N-2-naphtylacetamide (thionalide) on silica gel is used for differential preconcentration of μg l^?1 levels of arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) from aqueous solution. In batch experiments, arsenic(III) was quantitatively retained on the gel from solutions of pH 6.5–8.5, but arsenic(V) and organic arsenic compounds were not retained. The chelating capacity of the gel was 5.6 μmol g^?1 As(III) at pH 7.0. Arsenic retained on teh column was completely eluted with 25 ml of 0.01 M sodium borate in 0.01 M sodium hydroxide containing 10 mg l^?1 iodine (pH 10). The arsenic was determined by silver diethyldithiocarbamate spectrophotometry. Arsenic(V) was subsequently determined after reduction to arsenic(III) with sulphite and iodide. Arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) in sea water are shown to be < 0.12 and 1.6 μg l^?1, respectively.     

Flow potentiometric and constant-current stripping analysis for arsenic(V) without prior chemical reduction to arsenic(III): Application to the Determination of Total Arsenic in Seawater and Urine

Arsenic(V) is reduced to elemental arsenic on a gold-coated platinum-fibre electrode at electrolysis potentials below ?1.60 V vs. Ag/AgCl and subsequently re-oxidized, either by means of a constant current, or chemically, with gold(III) as oxidant. Total arsenic in acidified seawater can be determined by means of electrolysis for 60 s at ?1.80 V vs. Ag/AgCl and subsequent stripping in 4 M hydrochloric acid containing 2.5 M calcium chloride. The detection limit obtained after 60 s of electrolysis (ca. 0.1 μg1^?1) is about ten times lower than that obtained by the electrochemical stripping methods for arsenic(III) reported hitherto. Total arsenic in urine is determined after digestion with nitric acid and hydrogen peroxide.     

Determination of inorganic arsenic species in aqueous samples by ion-exclusion chromatography with electro-chemical detection

Arsenic(III) and -(V) were separated by ion-exclusion chromatography, using 0.01 M orthophosphoric acid eluent. Both forms of arsenic can be monitored by UV detection at 200 nm, but sensitivity is poor. Amperometric detection with a platinum-wire electrode at an applied potential of + 1.00 V allows arsenic(III) to be determined down to 0.012 μM. Detector response was shown to be linear to 1.00 μM, at which concentration, ten replicate injections of arsenic(III) gave a relative standard deviation of 1.3%.In an application of the chromatographic procedure with amperometric detection to analysis of bottled mineral waters, arsenic(III) was measured by direct injection, and total inorganic arsenic was determined as arsenic(III) after reduction of arsenic(V) by sulphur dioxide     

Determination of trace arsenic in hydrofluoric acid by hydride generation and atomic absorption spectrometry

Practical procedures are given for determination of arsenic(III) and (V) in hydrofluoric acid by means of hydride generation and atomic absorption spectrometry. Arsenic(III) can be determined by direct generation of arsine with sodium borohydride in hydrochloric/hydrofluoric acid medium, arsenic(V) being only slightly reduced under the conditions used. For its determination, arsenic(V) has to be prereduced with potassium iodide, and even then its reduction to arsenic(III) and then arsine is far from complete. It is possible to determine it in presence of arsenic(III) by a difference method, but this is recommended only if the As(V)/As(III) ratio is greater than 1. Total arsenic can be determined after oxidation of As(III) and evaporation of most of the hydrofluoric acid. The limit of determination is 5 g/l for arsenic(III) and 0.25 g/l for total arsenic; the relative standard deviation is about 10%.     

Solvent extraction procedures for the differential determination of arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) species by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Arsenic(III) can be extracted quantitatively from acidic media with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate (APDC) and with diethyldithiophosphoric acid (HDEDTP). Arsenic-(V) can only be extracted after preliminary reduction to the trivalent state. Potassium iodide or a mixture of hydrogensulphite/thiosulphate is recommended. When the extraction is done once with and once without addition of reducing agent, the arsenic(III) and the arsenic(V) contents can be differentiated. Some bottled mineral waters were analyzed. All the arsenic present appears to be in the pentavalent state.     

Extraction and speciation of arsenic in lacustrine sediments

Arsenic was partially extracted with 4.OM hydrochloric acid, from samples collected at 25-cm intervals in a 350-cm column of sediment at Milltown Reservoir, Montana and from a 60-cm core of sediment collected at the Cheyenne River Embayment of Lake Oahe, South Dakota. The sediment in both reservoirs is highly contaminated with arsenic. The extracted arsenic was separated into As(III) and As(V) on acetate form Dowex 1-X8 ion-exchange resin with 0.12M HCl eluent. Residual arsenic was sequentially extracted with KClO(3) and HCl. Arsenic was determined by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrometry. The analytical results define oxidized and reduced zones in the sediment columns.     

Optimization of a flow injection system with amperometric detection for arsenic determination.

A selective and sensitive analytical procedure for rapid arsenic determination by gas-diffusion flow injection analysis with amperometric detection was developed. The method is based on the arsenite reduction by NaBH(4). Derived arsine diffuses through a PTF membrane into the acceptor flow stream and is amperometrically determined on a platinum working electrode. The limit of detection (3 sigma) at room temperature was 5 microg/dm(3) of As(III). The relative standard deviation for a 1 mg/dm(3) As(III) standard was 1.96% for six repetitive injections. Arsenic(V) was determined after its prereduction with potassium iodide. Arsenic determination was not interferred with by 1 mg/dm(3) Sb(III), 5 mg/dm(3) Sn(II), 10 mg/dm(3) Se(IV), 1 mg/dm(3) As(V), 1 mg/dm(3) hydrasine, 1 mg/dm(3) Fe(II) or 0.5 mg/dm(3) Fe(III) solution. The throughput of this method was 60 analyses per hour. This method was successfully applied to arsenic determination in some power plant waste water samples.     

Differential determination of arsenic(III) and total arsenic using flow injection on-line separation and preconcentration for graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Arsenic(III) can be quantitatively extracted using sodium diethyldithiocarbamate (NaDDTC) as the complexing agent and C18 reversed phase packing as the column material for solid phase extraction. Arsenic(V) must be reduced to its trivalent oxidation state prior to extraction. A mixture of sodium sulphite, hydrochloric acid, sodium thiosulphate and potassium iodide was found to be optimum for on-line reduction. When the sorbent extraction is carried out without and with the addition of the reduction mixture, arsenic(III) and total arsenic can be determined sequentially by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry with detection limits (3 σ) of 0.32 ng for As(III) and 0.43 ng for total arsenic. A 7.6-fold enhancement in peak area compared to direct injection of 40 μl samples was obtained after 60 s preconcentration. Results obtained for sea water standard reference materials, using aqueous standards for calibration, agree well with certified values. A precision of 5.5% RSD was obtained for total arsenic in a sea water sample (1.65 As). Results obtained for synthetic mixtures of trivalent and pentavalent arsenic agreed well with expected values.     

Separation of arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) in ground waters by ion-exchange

The predominant species of arsenic in ground water are probably arsenite and arsenate. These can be separated with a strong anion-exchange resin (Dowex 1 x 8; 100-200 mesh, acetate form) in a 10 cm x 7 mm column. Samples are filtered and acidified with concentrated hydrochloric acid (1 ml per 100 ml of sample) at the sample site. Five ml of the acidified sample are used for the separation. At this acidity, As(III) passes through the acetate-form resin, and As(V) is retained. As(V) is eluted by passage of 0.12M hydrochloric acid through the column (resulting in conversion of the resin back into the chloride form). Samples are collected in 5-ml portions up to a total of 20 ml. The arsenic concentration in each portion is determined by graphite-furnace atomic-absorption spectrophotometry. The first two fractions give the As(III) concentration and the last two the As(V) concentration. The detection limit for the concentration of each species is 1 mug l .     

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.     

Spectrophotometric determination of arsenic in concentrates and copper-base alloys by the molybdenum blue method after separations by iron collection and xanthate extraction

A method for determining 0.0001-1% of arsenic in copper, nickel, molybdenum, lead and zinc concentrates is described. After sample decomposition, arsenic is separated from most of the matrix elements by co-precipitation with hydrous ferric oxide from an ammoniacal medium. Following reprecipitation of arsenic and iron, the precipitate is dissolved in approximately 2 M hydrochloric acid and the solution is evaporated to a small volume to remove water. Arsenic(V) is reduced to the tervalent state with iron(II) and separated from iron, lead and other co-precipitated elements by chloroform extraction of its xanthate from an 11M hydrochloric acid medium. After oxidation of arsenic(III) in the extract to arsenic(V) with bromine-carbon tetrachloride solution, it is back-extracted into water and determined by the molybdenum blue method. Small amounts of iron, copper and molybdenum, which are co-extracted as xanthates, and antimony, which is co-extracted to a slight extent as the chloro-complex under the proposed conditions, do not interfere. The proposed method is also applicable to copper-base alloys.     

Speciation of organotin and organoarsenic in water samples

Determination of tributyltin concentrations in water at low levels (0.1–1 ppt) is possible with the hydride generation/gas chromatographic separation/atomic absorption spectrophotometric method. This technique can easily be adapted for the determination of arsenic and methylated arsenic species. Arsenic (III) and arsenic (V) can be separated by selective coprecipitation with dibenzyldithiocarbamate.     

Total arsenic determination and speciation in infant food products by ion chromatography-inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry

Health risk associated with dietary arsenic intake may be different for infants and adults. Seafood is the main contributor to arsenic intake for adults while terrestrial-based food is the primary source for infants. Processed infant food products such as rice-based cereals, mixed rice/formula cereals, milk-based infant formula, applesauce and puree of peaches, pears, carrots, sweet potatoes, green beans, and squash were evaluated for total and speciated arsenic content. Arsenic concentrations found in rice-based cereals (63-320 ng/g dry weight) were similar to those reported for raw rice. Results for the analysis of powdered infant formula by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) indicated a narrow and low arsenic concentration range (12 to 17 ng/g). Arsenic content in puree infant food products, including rice cereals, fruits, and vegetables, varies from <1 to 24 ng/g wet weight. Sample treatment with trifluoroacetic acid at 100 degrees C were an efficient and mild method for extraction of arsenic species present in different food matrixes as compared to alternative methods that included sonication and accelerated solvent extraction. Extraction recoveries from 94 to 128% were obtained when the summation of species was compared to total arsenic. The ion chromatography (IC)-ICP-MS method selected for arsenic speciation allowed for the quantitative determination of inorganic arsenic [As(III) + As(V)], dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and methylarsonic acid (MMA). Inorganic arsenic and DMA are the main species found in rice-based and mixed rice/formula cereals, although traces of MMA were also detected. Inorganic arsenic was present in freeze-dried sweet potatoes, carrots, green beans, and peaches. MMA and DMA were not detected in these samples. Arsenic species in squash, pears, and applesauce were not detected above the method detection limit [5 ng/g dry weight for As(III), MMA, and DMA and 10 ng/g dry weight for As(V)].     

Speciation of arsenic in a contaminated soil by solvent extraction

Soil collected from a disused cattle dip in northern New South Wales was studied with the aim of developing an inexpensive, yet effective method for quantitative determination of arsenic(III), arsenic(V) and total organic arsenic in a contaminated soil. Hydrochloric acid extractions were used as a method for removal of the arsenic from the soil in a form suitable for speciation. It was found that the extraction efficiency varied with the ratio of soil to acid, and the concentration of the acid. Arsenic(III), as arsenic trichloride, was selectively extracted into chloroform from a solution highly concentrated in hydrochloric acid. This was followed by back-extraction of the arsenic into water. Total inorganic arsenic was determined in a similar manner after the reduction of arsenic(V) to the trivalent state with potassium iodide. Arsenic(V) was determined by the difference between the results for arsenic(III) and total inorganic arsenic. All analyses for the various arsenic species were performed by hydride generation-atomic absorption spectroscopy; concentrations of total arsenic in the soil were confirmed using X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. It was found that all the arsenic in the soil was present as inorganic arsenic in the pentavalent state. This reflects the ability of arsenic to interchange between species, since the original species in cattle dipping solution is arsenic(III).     

Comparison of mild extraction procedures for determination of arsenic compounds in different parts of pepper plants (Capsicum annum,L.)

Eight extraction agents (water, methanol–water mixtures in various ratios, methanol, a 20 mmol l^?1 ammonium phosphate buffer, and a methanol–phosphate buffer) were tested for the extraction of arsenic compounds from fruits, stems + leaves, and roots of pepper plants grown on soil containing 17.2 mg kg^?1 of total arsenic. The arsenic compounds in the extracts were determined using high‐performance liquid chromatography–hydride generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Whereas pure water was the most effective extraction agent for fruits (87 ± 3.3% extraction yield) and roots (96 ± 0.6% extraction yield), the 20 mM ammonium phosphate buffer at pH 6 extracted about 50% of the arsenic from stems + leaves. Decreasing extractability of the arsenic compounds was observed with increasing methanol concentrations for all parts of the pepper plant. In pepper fruits, arsenic(III), arsenic(V), and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) were present (25%, 37%, and 39% respectively of the extractable arsenic). Arsenic(V) was the major compound in stems + leaves and roots (63% and 53% respectively), followed by arsenic(III) representing 33% and 42% respectively, and small amounts (not exceeding 5%) of DMA and methylarsonic acid were also detected. Hence, for a quantitative extraction of arsenic compounds from different plant tissues the extractant has to be optimized individually. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Determination of arsenic by galvanostatic stripping analysis and its application to steels

Arsenic can be determined by galvanostatic stripping analysis with a modified gold-film electrode, prepared by simultaneous electro-deposition of gold and arsenic on a glassy-carbon support. This initially deposited arsenic is stripped from the film before the electrode is used for the analysis, but its presence during the formation of the film apparently leads to uniformly distributed crystallization sites for the subsequent determination of arsenic, so that the precision of the determination is better than that obtained with an unmodified gold-film electrode. The pre-electrolysis is performed potentiostatically in a stirred solution of 7M hydrochloric acid, at a potential from -0.10 to -0.35 V (vs. Ag/AgCl). If the galvanostatic stripping step is performed in quiescent solution after a 6-sec rest-period, at a current of 2-12 muA, then for a 100-sec pre-electrolysis time the calibration curve is linear up to an arsenic concentration of about 2mug ml and the limit of determination is 8 ng ml . In the analysis of steel, the arsenic must first be separated by selective extraction of arsenic(III) bromide into toluene and back-extraction into the supporting electrolyte. A single extraction is virtually 100% quantitative. The relative error of the determination in steels is a few per cent and the results are in good agreement with the certified values for reference materials and with the results obtained by X-ray fluorescence analysis.     

Uptake and excretion of total inorganic arsenic by the freshwater alga Chlorella vulgaris

Arsenic-tolerant freshwater alga Chlorella vulgaris which had been collected from an arsenicpolluted environment were tested for uptake and excretion of inorganic arsenic. Approximately half the quantity of arsenic taken up by C. vulgaris was estimated to be adhered to the extraneous coat (10 wt %) of the cell. The remainder was bioaccumulated by the cell. Both adhered and accumulated arsenic concentrations increased with an increase in arsenic(V) concentration of the aqueous phase. Arsenic(V) accumulation was affected by the growth phse: arsenic was most actively accumulated when the cell was exposed to arsenic during the early exponential phase and then accumulation decreased with an increase in culture time exposed to arsenic. The alga grew well in the modified Detmer (MD) medium containing 1 mg As(III) dm^?3 and the growth curve was approximated by a ‘logistic equation’. Arsenic(III) was accumulated up to the second day of the culture time and arsenic(III) accumulation decreased with an increase in the culture time after that. Arsenic accumulation was also largely affected by various nutrients, especially by managanese, iron and phosphorus compounds. A modified MD medium with the three nutrients was proposed for the purpose of effective removal of arsenic from the aqueous phase. Using radioactive arsenate (Na₂H⁷⁴AsO₄), the arsenic accumulated was found to be readily excreted under conditions which were unfavourable for the multiplication of C. vulgaris.     

Determination of arsenic(III) and arsenic(V) by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry after complexation and sorption on a C-18 bonded silica column

A flow injection procedure for the separation and pre-concentration of inorganic arsenic based on the complexation with ammonium diethyl dithiophosphate (DDTP) and sorption on a C-18 bonded silica gel minicolumn is proposed. During the sample injection by a time-based fashion, the As³⁺-DDTP complex is stripped from the solution and retained in the column. Arsenic(V) and other ions that do not form complexes are discarded. After reduction to the trivalent state by using potassium iodide plus ascorbic acid, total arsenic is determined by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS). Arsenic(V) concentration can be calculated by difference. After processing 6 ml sample volume, the As³⁺-DDTP complexes were eluted directly into the autosampler cup (120 μl). Ethanol was used for column rinsing. Influence of pH, reagent concentration, pre-concentration and elution time and column size were investigated. When 30 μl of eluate plus 10 μl of 0.1% (w/v) Pd(NO₃)₂ were dispensed into the graphite tube, analytical curve in the 0.3–3 μg As l⁻¹ range was obtained (r=0.9991). The accuracy was checked for arsenic determination in a certified water, spiked tap water and synthetic mixtures of arsenite and arsenate. Good recoveries (97–108%) of spiked samples were found. Results are precise (RSD 7.5 and 6% for 0.5 and 2.5 μg l⁻¹, n=10) and in agreement with the certified value of reference material at 95% confidence level.     

Determination of arsenic compounds in beverages by high-performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Arsenic compounds including arsenous acid (As(III)), arsenic acid (As(V)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA) were separated by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and detected by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A Hamilton PRX-100 anionic-exchange column and a pH 8.5 K₂HPO₄/KH₂PO₄ 5.0 × 10⁻³ mol L⁻¹ mobile phase were used to achieve arsenic speciation. The separation of arsenic species provided peaks of As(III) at 2.75 min, DMA at 3.33 min, MMA at 5.17 min and As(V) at 12.5 min. The detection limits, defined as three times the standard deviation of the lowest standard measurements, were found to be 0.2, 0.2, 0.3 and 0.5 ng mL⁻¹ for As(III), DMA, MMA and As(V), respectively. The relative standard deviation values for a solution containing 5.0 μg L⁻¹ of As(III), DMA, MMA and As(V) were 1.2, 2.1, 2.5 and 3.0%, respectively. This analytical procedure was applied to the speciation of arsenic compounds in drinking (soft drink, beer, juice) samples. The validation of the procedure was achieved through the analysis of arsenic compounds in water and sediment certified reference materials.