Assessment of the determination of heavy metals in organic soil improvers by ICP–OES

Directive 86/278/EEC sets maximum levels of heavy metals in sewage sludge used in agriculture to regulate the risk of using these organic soil improvers. The assessment of the compliance of soil improvers with this legislation should be supported on measurements with adequately low uncertainty. This work presents a strategy for assessing the performance of the determination of aqua regia extractable Cu, Zn and Cr in organic soil improvers and urban sewage sludges following EN 13650 standard. The measurement procedure validation involves checking the adequacy of the linear weighted regression model for ICP–OES calibration, the determination of the limit of quantification, the assessment of measurement repeatability, intermediate precision and trueness, and the evaluation of the measurement uncertainty using the differential approach. Routine tests quality control, including the estimated measurement uncertainty, is checked through the analysis of control standards, equivalent to calibrators, and reference materials from proficiency tests. Since the estimated relative expanded uncertainty is smaller than the defined target value (40 %), measurements are fit for assessing compliance of the mass fraction of heavy metals in organic soil improvers with the council directive.     

Development of a procedure for the multi-element determination of trace elements in wine by ICP–MS

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric (ICP–MS) procedure has been developed for the determination of trace elements in wine. The procedure consists in simple 1+1 dilution of the wine and semi-quantitative analysis (without external calibration) using In as internal standard. Thirty-one elements at concentrations ranging from 0.1 mg mL^–1 to 0.5 ng mL^–1 can be determined by ICP–MS analysis with and without digestion. It was investigated whether a matrix effect observed for EtOH in the wine matrix can be overcome by application of a micro-concentric nebulizer with a membrane desolvator (MCN 6000). The results obtained for the MCN 6000 are compared with those obtained by use of a conventional Meinhard nebulizer. It is shown that the observed matrix effect can only be compensated by use of an internal standard for the Meinhard nebulizer, but not for the MCN 6000. Results for ICP–MS are compared with those obtained by total reflection X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (TXRF).     

Performance of a new nebulizer system for simultaneous determination of Sb,Sn (hydride generation), V,and Zn by ICP–OES

A new nebulizer system is described that extends the analytical capability of the inductively coupled plasma technique to include the simultaneous determination of two elements Sb and Sn (hydride-forming), with two conventional elements, V and Zn. The main advantage of this system is its simultaneous determination of elements that form volatile hydrides and elements that do not, without any instrumental changes. Optimization of reaction and instrumental conditions was performed to characterize the new system. The performance of the new nebulizer system was evaluated by studying the effect of some transition metals (Ni, Cu, Co, and Fe, 1–1000 mg L^–1) on the Sb, Sn, V, and Zn emission signals (1 mg L^–1). Interferences from transition metal ions were found to be insignificant for determination of the four elements in presence of L-cysteine. Long-term and short-term stability was also evaluated. The precision, expressed as RSD for 15 replicate measurements was 0.7% for Sb, 1.7% for Sn, 2.5% for V, and 2.3% for Zn at 200 g L^–1 of each analyte. The detection limits obtained were 0.52, 1.3, 3.2, and 4.7 g L^–1 for Sb, Sn, V, and Zn, respectively. Spike and recovery experiments were performed on the NIST 1643c trace metals in water standard reference material and results were in agreement with the certified values.     

Solid-phase extraction–spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) in natural waters

A method for the extraction and determination of uranyl ion in natural waters using octadecyl bonded silica membrane disks modified with piroxicam and spectrophotometry with arsenazo(III) is proposed. The perconcentration step was studied with regard to experimental parameters such as amount of extractant, type and amount of eluent, pH, flow rates and tolerance limit of diverse ions on the recovery of uranyl ion. The limit of detection of the proposed method is 0.4 micro g L(-1) of uranyl. The method was applied to the recovery of uranyl from different water samples.     

In-syringe magnetic-stirring-assisted liquid–liquid microextraction for the spectrophotometric determination of Cr(VI) in waters

A fully automated method for the determination of chromate is described. It is based on the selective reaction of Cr(VI) with diphenylcarbazide in acidic media to form a colored complex of Cr(III) with the oxidation product diphenylcarbazone. The reaction was performed within the syringe of an automatic burette containing a magnetic stirrer for homogenization of the sample and the required reagents. In-syringe stirring was made possible using a specially designed driving device placed around the syringe barrel to achieve a rotating magnetic field in the syringe, forcing the stirrer to spin. In a second step, the reaction mixture in the syringe was neutralized to allow in-syringe magnetic-stirring-assisted dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction of the complex into 125 μL of n-hexanol. After phase separation by droplet flotation over 30 s, the organic phase was propelled into a coupled spectrophotometric detection cell. The entire multistep procedure including in-system standard preparation was done within 270 s. The method was used for the analysis of natural waters, achieving average analyte recovery of 103 %, a limit of detection of 0.26 μg L^-1, and a repeatability of less than 4 % relative standard deviation.     

In-situ separation of chromium(III) and chromium(VI) and sequential ETV–ICP–AES determination using acetylacetone and PTFE as chemical modifiers

Electrothermal vaporization–inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ETV–ICP– ES) has been used for the sequential determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI). The method is based on the difference between the chelate reactions of the two Cr species and acetylacetone. Cr(III) chelate was separated from Cr(VI) and determined with use of acetylacetone as chemical modifier. The retained Cr(VI) in graphite tube was analyzed subsequently, after addition of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) as chemical modifier. The different factors affecting the vaporization behavior of Cr(III) acetylacetonate were investigated in detail. The detection limits for Cr (III) and Cr(VI) were 0.56 and 1.4 ng mL^–1, respectively, and relative standard deviations for 0.1 μg mL^–1 Cr(III) and 0.1 μg mL^–1 Cr(VI) were 2.5% (n = 6) and 4.8% (n = 6), respectively. The linear ranges of the calibration curve for both Cr(III) and Cr(VI) covered three orders of magnitude. The proposed method was used to analyze water samples with satisfactory results.     

Preconcentration and determination of artemisinin in selected Iranian Artemisia species by SPE–LC–MS using poly(N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide) as sorbent material

Journal of the Iranian Chemical Society - Poly(N,N′-methylenebisacrylamide) was synthesized for the selective solid-phase extraction (SPE) and determination of artemisinin in ethanolic...     

Example of a technique for evaluation of interferences caused by complicated sample matrix elements in ICP–AES determination

An example of a useful and rapid procedure for the evaluation of interferences caused by complicated sample matrices in inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES) is described. Using simple acid–base standards, all the elements investigated were determined separately in complicated matrices with satisfactory results. Multiple linear regression was used to calculate the linear correction coefficients for each matrix element analyzed. Good analytical results improved still further when this correction method was used.     

Rapid and simple determination of selenium in blood serum by inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (ICP–MS)

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) with a rapid sample-preparative procedure was used for the determination of selenium in blood serum. Blood serum was prepared by dilution in an acidic solution consisting of nitric acid (1%), X-triton (0.1%) and 1-butanol (0.8%). A calibration curve was established for 1-40 microg mL(-1) (r(2)>0.99). The limit of detection was 0.5 microg mL(-1). Repeatability and intermediate precision were satisfactory with relative standard deviations (RSD) of 2.0% and 3.2%, respectively. This method was easily applied to reference materials with satisfactory accuracy. Good correlation (r(2)=0.96) was observed between ICP-MS and atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) for the determination of (82)Se in blood serum from 23 patients. These results suggest that the sample preparative procedure coupled with ICP-MS can be used for the routine determination of (82)Se in human blood serum.     

Development of analytical procedures for determination of total chromium by quadrupole ICP–MS and high-resolution ICP–MS,and hexavalent chromium by HPLC–ICP–MS,in different materials used in the automotive industry

A European directive was recently adopted limiting the use of hazardous substances such as Pb, Hg, Cd, and Cr(VI) in vehicle manufacturing. From July 2003 a maximum of 2 g Cr(VI) will be authorised per vehicle in corrosion-preventing coatings of key components. As no standardised procedures are available to check if produced vehicles are in agreement with this directive, the objective of this work was to develop analytical procedures for total chromium and Cr(VI) determination in these materials. The first step of this study was to optimise digestion procedures for total chromium determination in plastic and metallic materials by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP–MS). High resolution (HR) ICP–MS was used to examine the influence of polyatomic interferences on the detection of the ⁵²Cr⁺ and ⁵³Cr⁺ isotopes. If there was strong interference with m/z 52 for plastic materials, it was possible to use quadrupole ICP–MS for m/z 53 if digestions were performed with HNO₃+H₂O₂. This mixture was also necessary for digestion of chromium from metallic materials. Extraction procedures in alkaline medium (NH₄⁺/NH₃ buffer solution at pH 8.9) assisted by sonication were developed for determining Cr(VI) in four different corrosion-preventing coatings by HPLC–ICP–MS. After optimisation and validation with the only solid reference material certified for its Cr(VI) content (BCR 545; welding dusts), the efficiency of this extraction procedure for screw coatings was compared with that described in the EN ISO 3613 standard generally used in routine laboratories. For coatings comprising zinc and aluminium passivated in depth with chromium oxides the extraction procedure developed herein enabled determination of higher Cr(VI) concentrations. This was also observed for the screw covered with a chromium passivant layer on zinc–nickel. For coating comprising a chromium passivant layer on alkaline zinc the standardized extraction procedure was more efficient. In the case of painted metallic plate, because of a reactive matrix towards Cr(VI), its extraction without degradation was difficult to perform.     

Application of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction for the determination of donepezil in urine by HPLC using a core–shell column

A rapid and novel method combining dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and high-performance liquid chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection was developed for the determination of donepezil in human urine. Parameters affecting extraction efficiency and chromatographic determination, such as the type and volume of the extraction and disperser solvent, pH of sample for dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction, mobile-phase composition, pH, column oven temperature, and flow rate for chromatographic determination, were evaluated and optimized. Using a C₁₈ core–shell column (7.5 × 4.6?mm, 2.7?μm), the determination of donepezil was accomplished within 5?min. Under optimum conditions, developed method was linear in the range of 0.5–25?ng?mL^?1 with the correlation coefficient >0.99. Limit of detection was 0.15?ng?mL^?1. The relative standard deviation at three concentration levels (2, 12.5, and 20?ng?mL^?1) was less than 11% with accuracy in the range of 96.9–102.8%. The results of this study demonstrate that the use of dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and core–shell column can be considered as a powerful tool for the analysis of donepezil in human urine.     

Formic acid solubilization of marine biological tissues for multi-element determination by ETAAS and ICP–AES

A simple, fast method is described for the determination of Ag, As, Cd, Cu, Cr, Fe, Ni, and Se in marine biological tissues by electrothermal atomic-absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) and Na, Ca, K, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Mn by inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (ICP–AES). Solubilization of the biological tissue was achieved by using formic acid with vortex mixing followed by heating to 50°C in an ultrasonic bath. Once solubilized, the tissues were diluted to an appropriate volume with water for analysis. Aliquots were sampled into a graphite furnace and ICP–AES using a conventional autosampler. The method was validated by use of biological certified reference materials from NRC, DORM-2, DOLT-2, DOLT-3, LUTS-1, TORT-2, and NIST SRMs 1566b and 2976. Simplicity and reduced sample-preparation time prove to be the major advantages to the technique.     

Speciation of aluminium in tea infusions by use of SEC and FPLC with ICP–OES and ES–MS–MS detection

Speciation of Al in tea infusions was studied by size exclusion chromatography (SEC) and anion-exchange fast protein liquid chromatography (FPLC). Fractions were collected throughout the chromatographic separations and Al was determined “off line” by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP–OES). Black, green, and red tea samples were investigated. The total concentration of Al in tea infusions was determined by ICP–OES and ranged between 0.5 and 4 mg dm⁻³. The pH of tea infusions ranged between 5.3 and 5.5. Data from SEC–ICP–OES analysis indicated that 10–35% of total Al in tea infusions was eluted at a retention volume corresponding to a molecular mass of approximately 3800 Da. The remaining Al was adsorbed on the column resin. The same tea infusions were also analysed by anion-exchange FPLC–ICP–OES. It was found experimentally that the same percentage of total Al as from the SEC column was eluted at a retention volume that corresponded to negatively charged Al-citrate. The remaining Al was adsorbed on the column resin. Identification of Al-binding ligands eluting under the chromatographic peak was performed by electrospray ionisation tandem mass spectrometry (ES–MS–MS) analysis. It was proven that ionic Al species in tea infusions (10–35% of the total Al) corresponded to negatively charged Al-citrate. The remaining species that was adsorbed on the SEC or FPLC columns was most probably bound to phenolic compounds. Speciation of Al in tea with milk or lemon was also studied. Results for tea with milk indicated that Al-citrate was not transformed and that approximately 60% of total Al was transformed into high-molecular-mass Al species. This fraction was subjected to sodium dodecyl sulfonate polyacryl gel electrophoresis (SDS–PAGE). The results indicated that Al was occluded by milk proteins (mostly caseins). When citric acid was added to tea infusions the percentage of negatively charged Al-citrate remained either the same or increased to 40% of total Al.     

Identification of selenium species in urine by ion-pairing HPLC–ICP–MS using laboratory-synthesized standards

This study focused on the detection/identification of possible selenium metabolites in human urine. Organoselenium compounds not commercially unavailable were synthesized and characterized by electrospray mass spectrometry. Separation of selenomethionine, methylselenomethionine, trimethylselonium, selenoethionine, and selenoadenosylmethionine was achieved by ion-pairing HPLC with a mobile phase of 2 mmol L^–1 hexanesulfonic acid, 0.4% acetic acid, 0.2% triethanolamine (pH 2.5), and 5% methanol. The column effluent was introduced on-line to inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry for selenium-specific detection (⁷⁷Se and ⁷⁸Se). For selenium speciation in urine, solid-phase extraction was carried out using C₁₈ cartridges modified with hexanesulfonic acid. Selective retention of cationic species was observed from acidified urine (perchloric acid, pH 2.0). After elution with methanol, evaporation, and dissolution in the mobile phase, the sample was introduced to the HPLC–ICP–MS system and the chromatographic peaks were assigned by adding standards. The species identified in urine were selenomethionine, trimethylselonium ion, and selenoadenosylmethionine. The last species was detected for the first time and our results suggest that selenomethionine might enter the metabolic pathway of its sulfur analog in the activated methylation cycle.Kazimierz Wrobel and Katarzyna Wrobel are on the leave from the Institute of Scientific Research, University of Guanajuato, L. de Retana No. 5, 36000 Guanajuato, Gto., Mexico     

Preconcentration of uranium(VI) on a chelating adsorbent followed by photometric determination with 2,3,4-trihydroxy-3′-nitro-4′-sulfoazobenzene

The complexation of uranium(VI) with 2,3,4-trihydroxy-3′-nitro-4′-sulfoazobenzene was studied. A complex was formed with the molar ratio of the components 1: 2, the maximum of light absorption at 435 nm, and the molar absorption coefficient 1.00 × 10⁴. A new adsorbent bearing carboxyl groups was synthesized. The batch adsorption capacity of the adsorbent with respect to K⁺ ions was found, and the ionization constants of the ionogenic groups were determined by potentiometric titration. An adsorption isotherm of uranium was measured and the optimal conditions for preconcentration were found. Under the optimal conditions, the recovery of U(VI) ions was more than 95%. The detection limit was 14.2 ng/mL (3σ, n = 20). A procedure was developed for the adsorption-photometric determination of uranium(VI) in water.     

Preconcentration by Using Microcrystalline Phenolphthalein for Determining Trace Molybdenum(Ⅵ) in Water by GFAAS

Introduction Molybdenum(Ⅵ) is a biologically essential trace element and its role in an extremely wide variety of systems has been reported. Most common methods often fail to determine trace Mo(Ⅵ) in the analysis of molybdenum-containing samples, due to limitations such as inadequate detection limits and matrix interference, which make the direct determinations impossible.     

Validation,using a chemometric approach,of gas chromatography–inductively coupled plasma–atomic emission spectrometry (GC–ICP–AES) for organotin determination

The coupling between gas chromatography (GC) and inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) has been optimised using experimental designs. Four factors were considered in order to assist the crucial part of the coupling which is the analytes passing through the transfer line. The methodological approach based on the planning of fractional designs is described and justified according to an optimal experimentation. Then, the GC-ICP-AES-based method has been validated by means of statistical tests performed on calibration curves and evaluation of accuracy, precision and limits of detection (LOD), according to ISO standards and IUPAC recommendations. The absolute LOD are found to be quite similar to those obtained using flame photometer. Relative LOD ranged between 20 and 80 ng (Sn) L(-1) after liquid-liquid extraction of the analytes. When solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) is used, LOD are sub 10 ng (Sn) L(-1). The repeatability is 3-10%, according to the extraction used. Analyses of reference sediment, fresh and waste waters confirm the suitability and capabilities of GC-ICP-AES for organotin determination in the environment. The statistical approach has been demonstrated to be a powerful methodological tool, enhancing the experimental part by providing reliable analytical results.     

Pressurized-liquid extraction for determination of illicit drugs in hair by LC–MS–MS

An LC–MS–MS-based procedure for determination in hair of 14 different drugs of abuse belonging to the classes cocaine, amphetamine-like compounds, opiates, and hallucinogens has been developed. A pressurized-liquid extraction procedure was used and proved useful for quantitative recovery of all the analytes tested. This procedure, in conjunction with a simple decontamination step, performed to avoid false-positive samples, enabled the detection of all the analytes with LOQ ranging from 1.8 to 16 pg mg^?1 and accuracy varying from 85 to 111 %. The procedure was validated in accordance with the SOFT/AAFS guidelines and seems to be suitable for routine determination of the drugs tested in hair.     

Speciation studies by capillary electrophoresis – simultaneous determination of iodide and iodate in seawater

A capillary electrophoresis (CE) method was developed for the simple and highly-sensitive determination of iodine species in seawater. The proposed method is based on the on-capillary preconcentration of iodide and iodate using the principle of transient isotachophoresis (tITP) stacking, and direct UV detection of the separated species at 226 and 210 nm, respectively. The preconcentration procedure takes advantage of the electrokinetic introduction of the terminating ion [2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonate (MES)] into the capillary, that enables a longer tITP state. The appropriate conditions for the tITP step were optimized by varying the MES and sample injection time and the concentration of cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (CTAC). The latter component of the separation electrolyte (SE) was shown to strongly affect the migration and therefore the enrichment of iodide due to specific ion-association. The optimized separations were performed in 12.5 mM CTAC, 0.5 M NaCl (pH 2.4). Valid calibration is demonstrated in the range 3–60 g L^–1 iodide (R=0.9992) and 40–800 g L^–1 iodate (R=0.9994). The detection limits achieved were 0.23 g L^–1 (2 nM) for iodide and 10 g L^–1 (57 nM) for iodate. Such sensitivity and linearity thresholds allowed the reported tITP-CE system to be applied to direct speciation analysis of surface and seabed seawater. The comparison of CE results with those of an ion-chromatography (IC) technique proved that the method has acceptable accuracy.     

Solvent extraction—atomic absorption determination of chromium(VI) in soils

The extraction of chromium(VI) from aqueous saline solutions (NaNO₃) using a trioctylamine solution in toluene was studied in order to determine chromium(VI) in soil samples by atomic absorption spectrometry. It was found that the quantitative recovery of chromium(VI) was attained after extraction with the 0.1 M extractant solution (pH 1.5) for 15 min followed by-back extraction with 4 M HNO₃. Chromium(III) was not extracted under these conditions