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)].     

大气颗粒物中砷及其形态的研究进展

大气颗粒物中毒性准金属元素砷及其形态含量变化引起的环境健康问题受到了广泛关注。由于工业生产和煤燃烧等人类活动,砷普遍存在于多种环境介质中。排放到大气中的砷能够随气流进行长距离迁移,致使一些偏远区域大气中的砷含量明显超出欧盟的限制标准(6 ng/m3)。砷的毒性表达很大程度依赖其存在种态,无机砷毒性大于有机砷,且砷(Ⅲ)的毒性明显强于砷(Ⅴ)。本文概述了大气中砷的来源,并选取自2000年来的代表性成果比较了不同国家及不同功能区大气砷的含量变化,同时对1975年来多数关于大气颗粒物中砷形态变化特征的研究进行了评述。     

The speciation of arsenic(V) and arsenic(III), by ion-exclusion chromatography, in solutions containing iron and sulphuric acid

Arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) can be separated, by ion-exclusion chromatography, in solutions containing iron and sulphuric acid. Iron is removed by ion-exchange before the speciation of arsenic, with phosphoric acid as the eluent. The separated arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) are measured spectrophotometrically in the ultraviolet region at a wavelength of 195 mn. Arsenic(V) and arsenic(III) can be determined at concentrations > or = 3 mg/1. The relative standard deviations are 1.3% for arsenic(V) and 0.9% for arsenic(III), at the 10 mg/1. level. The time required for the separation of the inorganic arsenic species is 11 min.     

Combination of HPLC with organic and inorganic mass spectrometry to study the metabolic response of the clam Scrobicularia plana to arsenic exposure

Arsenic is a toxic element extensively studied in the marine environment due to differential toxicological effects of inorganic and organic species. In the present work, the bivalve Scrobicularia plana was exposed to As^V (10 and 100 μg/L) for 14 days to evaluate the metabolic perturbations caused by this element. Arsenic speciation and metabolomic analysis were performed in the digestive gland of the bivalve using two complementary analytical platforms based on inorganic and organic mass spectrometry. It has been observed the greater presence of the innocuous specie arsenobetaine produced in this organism as defense mechanism against arsenic toxicity, although significant concentrations of methylated and inorganic arsenic were also present, depending on the level of arsenic in aqueous media. Complementarily, a metabolomic study based on mass spectrometry and statistical discriminant analysis allows a good classification of samples associated to low and high As(V) exposure in relation to controls. About 15 metabolites suffer significant changes of expression by the presence of As(V): amino acids, nucleotides, energy‐related metabolites, free fatty acids, phospholipids and triacylglycerides, which can be related to membrane structural and functional damage. In addition, perturbation of the methylation cycle, associated with the increase of homocysteine and methionine was observed, which enhance the methylation of toxic inorganic arsenic to less toxic dimethylarsenic.     

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).     

Speciation of arsenic in water,sediment, and plants of the Moira watershed,Canada, using HPLC coupled to high resolution ICP-MS

High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled with high-resolution sector field ICP-MS was applied to the speciation of arsenic in environmental samples collected from the Moira watershed, Ontario, Canada. Arsenic contamination in Moira River and Moira Lake from historic gold mine operations is of increasing environmental concern to the local community. In this study, the current arsenic contamination status in water, sediment, and plants was investigated. Elevated levels of arsenic in the surface water of up to 75 ng mL(-1) in Moira River and 50 ng mL(-1) in Moira Lake were detected, 98% of which was present as arsenate. High concentrations of arsenic (>300 ng mL(-1)), mainly present as arsenite, were detected in sediment porewaters. A sediment profile of As from the West basin of Moira Lake showed lower As concentrations compared with data from the 1990s. An optimized extraction procedure using a phosphoric acid-ascorbic acid mixture demonstrated that an unknown "As-complex" which may consist of As, sulfide and organic matter is potentially responsible for the release of arsenite from the sediment to the overlying water column. Arsenic concentrations in plant samples ranged from 2.6 to 117 mg kg(-1), dry weight. Accumulation of arsenic was observed in submerged plants collected from Moira River and Moira Lake. Only a small part of the arsenic (6.3-16.1%) in the plants was extractable with methanol-water (9:1), and most of this arsenic (70-93%) was inorganic arsenic. A variety of organic arsenic compounds, including simple methylated compounds (methylarsonic acid and dimethylarsinic acid), trimethylarsine oxide, and tetramethylarsonium cation were detected at trace levels. No arsenobetaine and arsenocholine was found in any plant sample. An unknown compound, most probably an arsenosugar was detected in the two submerged plants, coontail ( Ceratophyllum demersum) and long-stemmed waterwort ( Elatine triandra). These submerged plants are constantly exposed to high arsenic concentrations in the surrounding water. Apparently, they are able to grow in this environment without invoking the same biochemical defence known from marine algae to detoxify inorganic arsenic. The detoxification mechanism of these plants remains unknown.     

Speciation of major arsenic species in seawater by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Arsenic present at 1 microg L(-1) concentrations in seawater can exist as the following species: As(III), As(V), monomethylarsenic, dimethylarsenic and unknown organic compounds. The potential of the continuous flow injection hydride generation technique coupled to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was investigated for the speciation of these major arsenic species in seawater. Two different techniques were used. After hydride generation and collection in a graphite tube coated with iridium, arsenic was determined by AAS. By selecting different experimental hydride generation conditions, it was possible to determine As(III), total arsenic, hydride reactive arsenic and by difference non-hydride reactive arsenic. On the other hand, by cryogenically trapping hydride reactive species on a chromatographic phase, followed by their sequential release and AAS in a heated quartz cell, inorganic As, MMA and DMA could be determined. By combining these two techniques, an experimental protocol for the speciation of As(III), As(V), MMA, DMA and nonhydride reactive arsenic species in seawater was proposed. The method was applied to seawater sampled at a Mediterranean site and at an Atlantic coastal site. Evidence for the biotransformation of arsenic in seawater was clearly shown.     

Arsenic round the world: a review

This review deals with environmental origin, occurrence, episodes, and impact on human health of arsenic. Arsenic, a metalloid occurs naturally, being the 20th most abundant element in the earth's crust, and is a component of more than 245 minerals. These are mostly ores containing sulfide, along with copper, nickel, lead, cobalt, or other metals. Arsenic and its compounds are mobile in the environment. Weathering of rocks converts arsenic sulfides to arsenic trioxide, which enters the arsenic cycle as dust or by dissolution in rain, rivers, or groundwater. So, groundwater contamination by arsenic is a serious threat to mankind all over the world. It can also enter food chain causing wide spread distribution throughout the plant and animal kingdoms. However, fish, fruits, and vegetables primarily contain organic arsenic, less than 10% of the arsenic in these foods exists in the inorganic form, although the arsenic content of many foods (i.e. milk and dairy products, beef and pork, poultry, and cereals) is mainly inorganic, typically 65-75%. A few recent studies report 85-95% inorganic arsenic in rice and vegetables, which suggest more studies for standardisation. Humans are exposed to this toxic arsenic primarily from air, food, and water. Thousands and thousands of people are suffering from the toxic effects of arsenicals in many countries all over the world due to natural groundwater contamination as well as industrial effluent and drainage problems. Arsenic, being a normal component of human body is transported by the blood to different organs in the body, mainly in the form of MMA after ingestion. It causes a variety of adverse health effects to humans after acute and chronic exposures such as dermal changes (pigmentation, hyperkeratoses, and ulceration), respiratory, pulmonary, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, hematological, hepatic, renal, neurological, developmental, reproductive, immunologic, genotoxic, mutagenetic, and carcinogenic effects. Key research studies are needed for improving arsenic risk assessment at low exposure levels urgently among all the arsenic research groups.     

Factors affecting arsenic speciation in environmental samples: sample drying and storage

Arsenic is a ubiquitous element. Its toxicity, mobility, and bioaccumulation depend usually on its chemical form, and therefore, arsenic speciation is indispensable for the assessment of environmental risk and human hazard. Little is known about the effect of sample preparation procedures, such as drying and storage, on the resulting arsenic speciation. In this study, we investigated the influence of different drying methods and storage conditions on the arsenic speciation in mineral soils, organic soils, and plants. Drying soils and plants using different methods may change the concentrations of the total methanol–water (20%,?v/v) extractable arsenic, the proportion of organic arsenic and the ratio of arsenite-to-arsenate. Loss of methanol–water extractable arsenic compounds (up to 63%) was observed particularly in the samples rich in water. Following drying, the speciation of organic arsenic changed less than that of inorganic arsenic. Drying showed little influence on the total arsenic determination. None of the storage methods tested could preserve the arsenic speciation in organic soils and plants, although arsenic speciation after one-month storage varied less in freeze-dried samples than wet samples. Storage of the samples at low temperatures (2 or??20°C) had the largest impact on the samples rich in organic matters, leading to less arsenic being extractable by methanol–water. Both drying and storage of the soil and plant samples changed apparently the arsenic speciation. Therefore, we recommend conducting the arsenic speciation possibly with fresh and wet samples, so that the results of arsenic speciation may be more approaching the original states.     

Speciation of major arsenic species in seawater by flow injection hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry

Arsenic present at 1 μg L^–1 concentrations in seawater can exist as the following species: As(III), As(V), monomethylarsenic, dimethylarsenic and unknown organic compounds. The potential of the continuous flow injection hydride generation technique coupled to atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was investigated for the speciation of these major arsenic species in seawater. Two different techniques were used. After hydride generation and collection in a graphite tube coated with iridium, arsenic was determined by AAS. By selecting different experimental hydride generation conditions, it was possible to determine As(III), total arsenic, hydride reactive arsenic and by difference non-hydride reactive arsenic. On the other hand, by cryogenically trapping hydride reactive species on a chromatographic phase, followed by their sequential release and AAS in a heated quartz cell, inorganic As, MMA and DMA could be determined. By combining these two techniques, an experimental protocol for the speciation of As(III), As(V), MMA, DMA and non-hydride reactive arsenic species in seawater was proposed. The method was applied to seawater sampled at a Mediterranean site and at an Atlantic coastal site. Evidence for the biotransformation of arsenic in seawater was clearly shown.     

Extraction and speciation of arsenic in plants grown on arsenic contaminated soils

A sequential arsenic extraction method was developed that yielded extraction efficiencies (EE) that were approximately double those using current methods for terrestrial plants. The method was applied to plants from two arsenic contaminated sites and showed potential for risk assessment studies. In the method, plants were extracted first by 1:1 water-methanol followed by 0.1 M hydrochloric (HCl) acid. Total arsenic in plant and soil samples collected from contaminated sites was mineralized by acid digestion and detected by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) and hydride generation-atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-AAS). Arsenic speciation was done by high performance liquid chromatography coupled with HG-AAS (HPLC-HGAAS) and by HPLC coupled with ICP-mass spectrometry (HPLC-ICP-MS). Spike recovery experiments with arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), methylarsonic acid (MA) and dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) showed stability of the species in the extraction processes. Speciation analysis by X-ray absorption near edge spectroscopy (XANES) demonstrated that no transformation of As(III) and As(V) occurred due to sample handling. Dilute HCl was efficient in extracting arsenic from plants; however, extraction and determination of organic species were difficult in this medium. Sequential extraction with 1:1 water-methanol followed by 0.1 M-HCl was most useful in extracting and speciating both organic and inorganic arsenic from plants. Trace amounts of MA and DMA in plants could be detected by HPLC-HGAAS aided by the process of separation and preconcentration of the sequential extraction method. Both organic and inorganic arsenic compounds could be detected simultaneously in synthetic gastric fluid extracts (GFE) but EEs by this method were lower than those of the sequential method. The developed sequential method was shown to be reliable and applicable to various terrestrial plants for arsenic extraction and speciation.     

Determination of arsenic by cathodic stripping voltammetry at a hanging mercury drop electrode

Arsenic (III), respectively arsenic(V) after the reduction were determined in model solutions and some inorganic and organic materials by fast scan differential pulse cathodic stripping voltammetry and by direct current cathodic stripping voltammetry with a rapid increase of potential. The accumulation on a hanging mercury drop electrode followed by cathodic stripping was carried out in 0.7–0.8M HCl or 1–2M H₂SO₄ solutions containing Cu(II)-ions. Detection limits calculated from regression parameters was determined to be under 1 ng/ml for the samples containing very low arsenic concentrations. The relative standard deviation did not reach 8% for arsenic contents about of 5 ng/ml.     

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.     

Speciation of Arsenic in Rice by High-Performance Liquid Chromatography–Hydride Generation-Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry with Microwave-Assisted Extraction

Arsenic speciation in paddy rice is of considerable interest due to its impact on the food safety and human health. In this study, a simple methodology was developed to simultaneously extract and analyze As species in rice from China. Arsenic species, including arsenite (As(III)), arsenate (As(V)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), were extracted by methanol-water (50:50, v/v) containing 0.02 mol L^?1 nitric acid with a microwave-assisted procedure, and then determined by high performance liquid chromatography–hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry (HPLC–HG-AFS). The results showed that the method has good efficiency (>90%) for rice, indicating that there were no significant losses or transformations of arsenic during sample treatment and analysis. The limits of quantification (LOQ) of the method were 8.0, 20, 12, and 12 ng g^?1 for As(III), As(V), DMA, and MMA, respectively. When this method was applied to the analysis of rice, As(III) had the highest concentration, followed by DMA, As(V), and MMA. The estimated weekly intake of inorganic As from rice by Chinese people accounted for 11.83% of the provisional tolerable weekly intake. The As speciation results in this study suggest that the risk associated with As in rice to human health may be negligible.     

Speciation of Arsenic in Rice by Ion Chromatography with Online Anion Suppression and Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry

Arsenic speciation in rice has received attention due to its impact on food safety and human health. In this study, a sensitive method was developed for the determination of inorganic arsenic in rice using online anion suppression with ion chromatography and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. HCl of 0.01?mol/L was the optimal extracting agent, and 38?mmol/L sodium carbonate and 15?mmol/L sodium acetate were used as the mobile phase to separate dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenite, monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), and arsenate. The results showed that there were no significant losses or transformations with the anion suppressor and an improvement in sensitivity. The limits of quantification were 0.1?µg/L for DMA, As(III) and MMA, and 0.2?µg/L for As(V). The procedure was used to determine inorganic arsenic in rice; As(III) and DMA were the primary forms present. The reproducibility from seven measurements showed that the relative standard deviation was less than 1.68%. The recoveries were from 99.76 to 110.42%. The present work offers a new approach for the determination of inorganic arsenic in rice.     

Comparative phytotoxicity of methylated and inorganic arsenic- and antimony species to Lemna minor, Wolffia arrhiza and Selenastrum capricornutum

The alkylation of metalloids through the transfer of methyl groups is an important factor in the biogeochemical cycling of elements like arsenic and antimony. In the environment, many different organic and inorganic forms of these elements can therefore be found in soils, sediments or organisms. Studies that compare the ecotoxicity of these different chemical species however are rare. Therefore, this study aimed to generate toxicity data on two scarcely studied organic compounds of arsenic and antimony, as well as to compare their toxicity to the inorganic species, which are studied so far to a higher extent, in order to improve the environmental effect assessment of these elements. To this purpose, bioassays were performed in which three different aquatic organisms (the floating water plants Lemna minor and Wolffia arrhiza and the green alga Selenastrum capricornutum) were exposed to a concentration series of 3 different arsenic species (sodium arsenite — As(III), sodium arsenate — As(V), and monomethylarsonous diiodide — MMAs(III)) and three different antimony species (antimony potassium tartrate hydrate — Sb(III), potassium hexahydroxoantimonate — Sb(V), trimethylantimony(V) bromide — TMSb(V). The observed effect concentrations demonstrated that the inorganic (III)- and (V)-valent species of arsenic were clearly more toxic than the corresponding antimony species. The highest overall toxicity has been shown by MMAs(III) followed by the inorganic As(III). The highest toxicity of the three tested antimony species has been observed for TMSb(V). The observed differences in effect levels stress the importance once more that speciation must not be ignored in toxicity studies.     

Arsenic bioaccumulation and species in marine polychaeta

Published whole tissue arsenic concentrations in polychaete species tissues range from 1.5–2739 µg arsenic/g dry mass. Higher mean total arsenic concentrations are found in deposit‐feeding polychaetes relative to non‐deposit‐feeding polychaete species collected from the same locations. However, mean arsenic concentrations at some of the locations are skewed by the high arsenic concentrations of Tharyx marioni. There appears to be no direct correlation between sediment arsenic concentrations and polychaete arsenic concentrations. Arsenic bioaccumulation by polychaetes appears to be more controlled by the physiology of the polychaetes rather than exposure to arsenic via ingested material or the prevailing physiochemical conditions. Arsenic concentrations in polychaete tissues can vary greatly. Most polychaete species contain the majority of their arsenic as arsenobetaine (57–98%), with trace concentrations of inorganic arsenic (<1%) and other simple methylated species (<7.5%). However, this is not always the case, with unusually high proportions of arsenite (57%), arsenate (23%) and dimethylarsinic acid (83–87%) in some polychaete species. Arsenobetaine is probably accumulated by polychaetes via organic food sources within the sediment. The presence of relatively high proportions of phosphate arsenoriboside (up to 12%) in some opportunistic omnivorous Nereididae polychaete species may be due to ingestion of macroalgae, benthic diatoms and/or phytoplankton. Consideration of the ecology of individual polychaete species in terms of their habitat type, food preferences, physiology and exposure to arsenic species is needed for the assessment of arsenic uptake pathways and bioaccumulation of arsenic. Future research should collect a range of polychaete species from a wide variety of uncontaminated marine habitats to determine the influence of these ecological factors on total arsenic concentrations and species proportions. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Reactive supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography of arsenic species

Reactive supercritical fluid extraction has been used for the speciation of organic (DMA and MMA) and inorganic (As(III) and As(V)) arsenic compounds in solid samples. Derivatization with thioglycolic acid methylester (TGM) was performed in supercritical carbon dioxide. Different extraction conditions have been tested. The arsenic derivatives have been analyzed by GC. A capillary-SFC method was evaluated for the analysis of the TGM derivatives and compared with GC.Dedicated to Professor Dr. Dieter Klockow on the occasion of his 60th birthday     

Determination of arsenic species in marine samples by HPLC-ICP-MS.

Arsenic speciation analysis in marine samples was performed using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with ICP-MS detection. The separation of eight arsenic species viz. arsenite (As(III)), monomethylarsonic acid (MMA), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA), arsenate (As(V)), arsenobetaine, trimethylarsine oxide (TMAO), arsenocholine and tetramethylarsonium ion (TeMAs) was achieved on a Shiseido Capcell Pak C18 column by using an isocratic eluent (pH 3.0), in which condition As(III) and MMA were co-eluted. The entire separation was accomplished in 15 min. The detection limits for 8 arsenic species by HPLC/ICP-MS were in the range of 0.02 - 0.10 microg L(-1) based on 3sigma of blank response (n=9). The precision was calculated to be 3.1-7.3% (RSD) for all eight species. The method then successfully applied to several marine samples e.g., oyster, scallop, fish, and shrimps. For the extraction of arsenic species from seafood products, the low power microwave digestion was employed. The extraction efficiency was in the range of 52.9 - 112.3%. Total arsenic concentrations were analyzed by using the microwave acid digestion. The total arsenics in the certified reference materials (DORM-2 and TORT-2) were analyzed and agreed with the certified values. The concentrations of arsenics in marine samples were in the range 6.6 - 35.1 microg g(-1).     

Feasibility of Separation and Quantification of Inorganic Arsenic Species Using Ion-Exchange Membranes and Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy

Analytical methods for the determination of inorganic arsenic species have attracted much attention due to the high toxicity of these compounds and related legislative regulations for food. A new method for the separation and quantitation of As(III) and As(V) was developed using ion-exchange membranes and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS). Using the anion-exchange polymer membrane, As(V) was selectively collected on the membrane, and As(III) was filtered through the membrane. The separated As(V) on the membrane was directly determined by LIBS. The As(III) in the filtrate was subsequently oxidized to As(V) and collected by the membrane for LIBS analysis. The detection limit for As(V) was estimated to be 10?mg/kg. The recovery efficiencies for the arsenic species as standards were in the range of 97–99%. This method was applied for the analysis As-spiked water certified reference materials, and the results showed that the recovery for As(V) was 98.9%. This new speciation method is cost-effective, simple, and low labor-intensive for the quantitation of inorganic arsenic.