A study of sample mineralization methods for arsenic analysis of blood and urine by hydride generation and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

Mineralization procedures for blood and urine suitable for the determination of arsenic by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (HGAAS) are studied on model samples, and the results are utilized in biological monitoring investigations. The objective of this work is to obtain good total As recoveries for both matrices regardless of added As species (As(III), As(V), DMA, MMA, AsB, or AsC). Prior to the HGAAS analyses, preparation procedures were controlled under optimised conditions by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Two preparation procedures for urine give As recoveries close to 100% by HGAAS: a) dry ashing at 420°C with Mg(NO₃)₂ on a hot plate, and b) microwave oven decomposition with (NH₄)₂S₂O₈. For blood samples, As recoveries by HGAAS range between 95 and 108% for all species when using dry ashing after a pretreatment of samples with HNO₃ and H₂O₂ in a microwave oven. Wet digestion with (NH₄)₂S₂O₈ in a microwave oven gives recoveries very near 100% for As _inorg. and MMA. For other As species in spiked blood samples, recoveries of less than 20% As are found. Precision and detection limits obtained by both techniques are evaluated as well. For arsenic concentrations of 20 μg dm⁻³ or more in blood and urine, a chemical modifier is recommended for GFAAS analysis; it may or may not be proceeded by a mineralization step. For low As levels encountered in the unexposed population, the HGAAS technique provides reliable results only if a very complete mineralization procedure is used.     

Thermodynamic properties and solution equilibria of aqueous bivalent transition metal nitrates and magnesium nitrate

Osmotic coefficients for Mn(NO₃)₂, Co(NO₃)₂, Ni(NO₃)₂, Cu(NO₃)₂, Zn(NO₃)₂, and Mg(NO₃)₂ in aqueous solution have been determined by the isopiestic method at 25°C, and activity coefficients have been derived. The results agree with the literature data for Zn(NO₃)₂, while they are significantly different for Co(NO₃)₂, Cu(NO₃)₂, and Mg(NO₃)₂, and those for Mn(NO₃)₂ and Ni(NO₃)₂ are new. The concentration dependence of the osmotic coefficients for the bivalent metal nitrates is similar to that for the trifluoroacetates, while it differs from those for the other salts of the same series of metals. The results are discussed in terms of the inner-sphere and outer-sphere association of ions, auxiliary information being derived from the concentration effects in the visible spectra of the coloured metal nitrates.     

Effect of nitric acid for equal stabilization and sensitivity of different selenium species in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Determination of selenium by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) is complicated by the presence of different species of this analyte. The presence of different oxidation states (−II, IV and VI) may result in different sensitivities obtained for each species rendering impossible the use of a single species for calibration. These species also exhibit different behaviours regarding thermal stabilities; the temperature program must be provided to conform to this problem. Chemical modifiers are commonly used for thermal stabilization of selenium species. In this study, experiments were carried out to demonstrate the effect of nitric acid in the presence of chemical modifiers. Nickel and palladium + magnesium were selected as the most commonly used chemical modifiers. Using both aqueous and human serum solutions it has been demonstrated that although chemical modifiers provide thermal stabilization of species so that higher ashing temperatures can be used, equal sensitivities cannot be achieved unless nitric acid is also present. Selenite, selenate, selenomethionine and selenocystine were used in experiments. When equal sensitivities for all these species are achieved, determination of total selenium by ETAAS can be performed by using a single species as the standard; selenite was used in this study. Precision was 5.0% or better using peak height signals. There was no significant difference in detection limits (3s) when Ni or Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ was used as chemical modifier; 37 and 35 pg of selenium were found to be the detection limits for Ni and Pd + Mg(NO₃)₂ chemical modifiers, respectively. For chemical modifications, either 5 μg of Ni or 0.5 μg of Pd and 5 μg of Mg(NO₃)₂ were used; final solutions contained 2.5% HNO₃. In serum analyses, 10 μg of Ni was used in presence of 2.5% HNO₃.     

Parameter optimization of electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for oligoelement determination in standard reference materials

The operational parameters of the graphite furnace for electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS), i.e. the internal carrier gas flow rate, the total carrier gas flow rate, the sample pretreatment temperature and the volatilization temperature, are optimized for oligoelement determinations (⁷⁵As, ⁹Be, ¹¹²Cd, ⁵⁰Cr, ⁶⁵Cu, ¹⁰³Rh, ¹²³Sb). The volatilization temperatures of As and Cr are compared to those obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Several modifiers Mg(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂, Mg(NO₃)₂/Pd(NO₃)₂, Ni(NO₃)₂, KI, (NH₄)H₂PO₄ have been tested using the concentrations recommended for GFAAS. The concentration of Mg(NO₃)₂ alone and in combination with NaCl has been varied to find the optimal modifier conditions. ETV-ICP-MS signal enhancements by a factor of 10 to 130 respective to those of conventional nebulization have been obtained. The optimized parameters are evaluated by analyzing the water standard reference NIST 1643c and the aqua regia solution of the lake sediment reference material BCR 280.     

Parameter optimization of electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for oligoelement determination in standard reference materials

The operational parameters of the graphite furnace for electrothermal vaporization inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ICP-MS), i.e. the internal carrier gas flow rate, the total carrier gas flow rate, the sample pretreatment temperature and the volatilization temperature, are optimized for oligoelement determinations (⁷⁵As, ⁹Be, ¹¹²Cd, ⁵⁰Cr, ⁶⁵Cu, ¹⁰³Rh, ¹²³Sb). The volatilization temperatures of As and Cr are compared to those obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS). Several modifiers Mg(NO₃)₂, Pd(NO₃)₂, Mg(NO₃)₂/Pd(NO₃)₂, Ni(NO₃)₂, KI, (NH₄)H₂PO₄ have been tested using the concentrations recommended for GFAAS. The concentration of Mg(NO₃)₂ alone and in combination with NaCl has been varied to find the optimal modifier conditions. ETV-ICP-MS signal enhancements by a factor of 10 to 130 respective to those of conventional nebulization have been obtained. The optimized parameters are evaluated by analyzing the water standard reference NIST 1643c and the aqua regia solution of the lake sediment reference material BCR 280.     

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.     

FTIR-ATR <Emphasis Type="Italic">in situ</Emphasis> observation on the efflorescence and deliquescence processes of Mg(NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript> aerosols

The efflorescence and deliquescence processes of Mg(NO₃)₂ aerosol particles deposited on ZnSe substrate have been investigated through in situ Fourier transform infrared-attenuated total reflection (FTIR-ATR) technique at the molecular level. At relative humidity (RH) of ∼3%, Mg(NO₃)₂ particles existed as amorphous states. The amorphous Mg(NO₃)₂ particles were transformed into crystalline Mg(NO₃)₂ · nH₂O (n ≤ 5) with slight increasing of RH. Thermodynamically stable Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O crystals were gradually formed on the particle surface and started to be dissolved at the saturation point (∼53% RH). At the same time, a continuous phase transition from Mg(NO₃)₂ · nH₂O (n≤5) to Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O occurred on the particle surface. This led the solid particles to completely deliquesce at 76% RH, which was much higher than the saturation point of 53% RH. In the efflorescence process, Mg(NO₃)₂ droplets entered into the supersaturated region due to the gradual evaporation of water. Finally, amorphous particles were formed when RH decreased below 5%. In the FTIR-ATR spectra of the supersaturated Mg(NO₃)₂ droplets, the absorbance of the symmetric stretching vibration of NO ₃ ⁻ (v ₁- NO ₃ ⁻ ) clearly became stronger. It resulted from the continuous formation of solvent share ion pairs (SIPs), and even the contact ion pairs (CIPs) between Mg²⁺ and NO ₃ ⁻ . Supported by the Trans-Century Program Foundation for the Talents by the Ministry of Education of China, the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos. 20073004, 20473012, and 20673010), the 111 Project (B07012), and the State Key Laboratory of Physical Chemistry for Solid Surface of Xiamen University     

Diagramme polythermique du systeme ternaire H2O—Al(NO3)3—Mg(NO3)2

The solid—liquid equilibria of the ternary system H₂O—Al(NO₃)₃—Mg(NO₃)₂ were studied at –30, –20, –10 and 0°C by using a synthetic method which allows to detemine all the characteristic points of isothermal sections. The stable solid phases which appear are respectively: ice, Al(NO₃)₃·9H₂O, Mg(NO₃)₂·9H₂O and Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O. Neither double salts nor mixed crystals are observed in the temperature and composition field studied. Polytherm diagram layout show two invariant transformations correspond with an eutectic point and a peritectic point.This revised version was published online in November 2005 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Semi-permanent lutetium modifier for the determination of beryllium in urine by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The determination of beryllium using electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry with deuterium background correction in the presence of various isomorphous metals and Mg(NO₃)₂ was studied. While, Eu, Ir and Sm had no effect on the transient signals, the addition of Lu and Mg(NO₃)₂ improved the sensitivity of the beryllium signal with respect to that obtained in the absence of modifier. Although, Mg(NO₃)₂ has improved the signal with respect to its sensitivity, it also increased the tail and the background (BG) signals, specially when urine samples are under study. Whereas, when Lu was used the analytical signal is virtually free of BG interference indicating that the urine matrix interference was almost eliminated. Besides, the addition of 6 μg of Lu ensured that the signals were effectively constant for five firings following the furnace program, which included: three drying, and the pyrolysis, atomization, cleaning and cooling steps. The effect of some components, likely to interfere in the accurate determination of beryllium (such as: Al, Ca, Cl, Co, Cr, Fe, Mg and Mn) were investigated. At the physiological levels, most of these elements had no effect, except in the case of chloride when Mg(NO₃)₂ was used as modifier. In this case, the tolerance limit was of 3000 mg Cl⁻ l⁻¹. The characteristic masses were 1.19, 0.45 and 0.48 pg, when integrated absorbance was measured for beryllium without the addition of any modifier and in the presence of Lu and Mg(NO₃)₂, respectively. The limits of detection (3σ) were 85, 19 and 58 fg, respectively. The accuracy and precision with the use of Lu and Mg(NO₃)₂ was tested for the direct determination of beryllium in urine samples. Quantification was performed with aqueous standards. The results obtained for the determination of beryllium in reference materials (Trace Elements in Urine), together with good recovery of spiked analyte, using either Lu or Mg(NO₃)₂ modification demonstrate the applicability of the procedure to the analysis of real samples. However, Lu provided the most accurate results. Also, the addition of Lu enhanced the precision of the measurements to levels of 1.8% relative standard deviation instead of 5.6 and 3.3% for the case of beryllium alone and with the addition of Mg(NO₃)₂.     

Investigation on the thermal behaviour of Mg(NO3)2·6H2O I. The decomposition behaviour

The decomposition mechanism of Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O was studied by means of simultaneous TG, DTG and DTA method combined with EGA technique under conventional and quasi isothermal-quasi isobaric conditions. It has been found that Mg(NO₃)₂·6H₂O melts at 89 °C in a congruent way. The solution formed begins to boil at 147 °C. The water loss process of the salt hydrate and the decomposition process of the Mg(NO₃)₂ always overlap to some extent. Accordingly, Mg(NO₃)₂ of stoichiometric composition cannot be prepared thermally, because the compound always contains some basic salt. The last part of water departs in the vicinity of 270 °C with extreme rapidity. In contrast to expectations the compound decomposes in pure “self-generated” atmosphere at a temperature lower by about 80 °C than in the presence of air which contains a small amount of the gaseous decomposition product.     

Apparent molar heat capacities and volumes of aqueous electrolytes: CaCl2, Cd(NO3)2, CoCl2, Cu(ClO4)2, Mg(ClO4)2, and NiCl2

We have used a flow calorimeter and a flow densimeter for measurements leading to apparent molar heat capacities and apparent molar volumes of six 21 electrolytes in aqueous solution at 25°C. Results of these measurements have been used to derive apparent molar heat capacities and volumes at infinite dilution for all six electrolytes: CaCl₂, Cd(NO₃)₂, CoCl₂, Cu(ClO₄)₂, Mg(ClO₄)₂, and NiCl₂.     

非平衡晶化控制水滑石晶粒尺寸

本文采用非平衡晶化法通过在晶化后期补加原料合成了一系列不同晶粒尺寸的水滑石（LDH）样品,研究表明：非平衡晶化法可在一定范围内调控LDH的粒径,所合成的LDH样品组成稳定,晶体结构完整。     

Investigation of four digestion procedures for multi-element determination of toxic and nutrient elements in legumes by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry

A simple and reliable multi-element procedure for determination of essential (Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Zn) and toxic (Al, Cd, Pb) elements in legumes by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) was developed. In this contribution, four different digestion procedures were thoroughly investigated and accurately evaluated with respect to their affect on the analysis of legumes. These included wet digestion with HNO₃/H₂SO₄ and HNO₃/H₂SO₄/H₂O₂, and dry ashing with Mg(NO₃)₂ and Mg(NO₃)₂/HNO₃. Two calibrations (aqueous standard and standard addition) procedures were studied, and proved that standard addition was preferable for all analytes. ICP-OES operating parameters, such as radio-frequency (RF) incident power, sample uptake flow rate and nebulizer argon gas flow rate were optimized. The precision as repeatability, expressed as relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) for aqueous standard containing 250 μg l⁻¹ of each analyte was in the range1.5-8.0%. The accuracy, expressed as relative error was generally varied in the range of 0.5-10% for all analytes, while the quantification limits were lower than 2.5 μg g⁻¹. Although, acceptable results were obtained from all developed procedures, wet digestion method with HNO₃/H₂SO₄/H₂O₂ is recommended for better recovery. The good agreement between measured and certified concentrations with respect to IAEA-331 and IAEA-359 (CRM's supplied by IAEA, International Atomic Energy Agency) indicates that the developed analytical method is well suited for determination of toxic and nutrient elements in legumes and possibly similar matrices.     

Thermal behaviour of [Mg(DMSO)<Subscript>6</Subscript>](NO<Subscript>3</Subscript>)<Subscript>2</Subscript>

Polymorphism and thermal decomposition of [Mg(DMSO)₆](NO₃)₂, where DMSO =(CH₃)₂SO, were studied by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and thermogravimetry (TG). The gaseous products of the decomposition were on-line identified by a quadruple mass spectrometer (QMS). Three phase transitions have been detected for this compound in the temperature range of 95–370 K between the following solid phases: stable KIb↔stable KIa at T _C3=195 K, metastable KII↔supercooled K0 at T _C2=230 K and stable KIa→stable K0 at T _C1=337 K. Thermal decomposition of the title compound proceeds in three main stages. In the first stage, which starts just above ca. 380 K, and is continued up to ca. 540 K, the compound loses in two steps four DMSO molecules per one formula unit and undergoes into [Mg(DMSO)₂](NO₃)₂. The second stage starts just immediately after liberating four DMSO ligands and is connected with the decomposition of [Mg(DMSO)₂](NO₃)₂ and the formation of a mixture of solid anhydrous magnesium sulfate, magnesium nitrate and magnesium oxide and also a mixture of gaseous products of the DMSO and Mg(NO₃)₂ decomposition. The third and the last stage corresponds to the decomposition of not decomposed yet magnesium nitrate and formation of magnesium oxide, nitrogen oxides and oxygen.     

The application of solid sorbents for the purification of aluminum contaminated chemicals used as modifiers in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Various microcolumns with solid sorbents (ion exchange resins, functionalised cellulose sorbents, chelating resins) have been tested with respect to their ability for the purification of aluminum contaminated chemicals used as modifiers in electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry. The purification of NaNO₃, Mg(NO₃)₂, K₂SO₄ and (NH₄)₂HPO₄ has been the most effective with an almost 100% efficiency, when Spheron-Oxine was used as chelating resin. The sorption of aluminum from KOH solution has been found to be very high (around 90%) for all investigated sorbents. However, the best results have been obtained with anion-exchange resins. It has been difficult to purify concentrated mineral acids (HCl, H₂SO₄). A retention of aluminum above 80% has been achieved only when Cellex P, Chelex 100 or Amberlite XAD-2 have been used.     

Extraction liquide-liquide par des esters alkylphosphoriques. II. Extraction des nitrates de béryllium et des autres alcalino-terreux par le tri-n-butylphosphate

The solvent extraction systems Be(NO₃)₂? HNO₃? H₂O? TBP/kerosene and M(NO₃)₂? H₂O? TBP/kerosene (TBP = tri-n-butylphosphate, M = Be, Mg, Ca and Sr) have been studied. The alkaline earths elements are poorly extracted. Only very high acidities allow better extraction of beryllium. The sequence of extraction of the alkaline earths elements by the TBP depends on the concentration of the cations and is Ca > Be > Sr > Mg if the metal concentration is lower than 2 M.     

Preparation and characterization of pva based solid polymer electrolytes for electrochemical cell applications

Solid polymer electrolyte films containing poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and magnesium nitrate (Mg(NO3)2) were prepared by solution casting technique and characterized by using XRD, FTIR, DSC and AC impedance spectroscopic analysis. The amorphous nature of the polymer electrolyte films has been confirmed by XRD. The complex formation between PVA and Mg salt has been confirmed by FTIR. The glass transition temperature decreases with increasing the Mg salt concentration. The AC impedance studies are performed to evaluate the ionic conductivity of the polymer electrolyte films in the range of 303 383 K, and the temperature dependence seems to obey the Arrhenius behavior. Transport number measurements show that the charge transport is mainly due to ions. Electrochemical cell of configuration Mg/(PVA + Mg(NO3)2) (70:30)/(I2 + C + electrolyte) has been fabricated. The discharge characteristics of the cell were studied for a constant load of 100 kΩ.     

Modelisation Des Nappes De Solubilite Du Diagramme De Phases Mg(NO3)2–Al(NO3)3–H2O

A program has been written to describe solubility surfaces of the polythermal ternary phase diagram Mg(NO₃)₂–Al(NO₃)₃–H₂O, using the model proposed by Cohen-Adad et al. [2]. In this work we present the calculation of the solubility surface of Mg(NO₃)₂×6H₂O and Al(NO₃)₃×9H₂O in the phase diagram. The calculated isothermal sections are in a good agreement with experimental determinations. Coefficients of the fitting equation that describes the solubility field allow drawing any isothermal section. The monovariant line was also calculated. The chosen model is well adapted to calculations of these solubility surfaces and gives very good results. This revised version was published online in August 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

Investigations on the use of chemical modifiers for the direct determination of trace impurities in Al2O3 ceramic powders by slurry electrothermal evaporation coupled with inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV–ICP–MS)

The direct determination of trace impurities in Al₂O₃ ceramic basic powders by ICP–MS using electrothermal evaporation (ETV) with slurry sampling has been investigated. To increase interference-free analyte volatilization, the use of the palladium-group modifiers (PGM) IrCl₃, Pd(NO₃)₂, and PdCl₂ for the determination of Ca, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and V in Al₂O₃ powders was studied. Their role, which in ETV–ICP–MS and ETV– ICP–OES is to stabilize the investigated analyte during the ashing phase, to increase vaporization of the matrix, and to reduce transport losses was investigated. Optimum analysis results were obtained with PdCl₂ modifier when 500 ng Pd was used for a sample weight of 100 μg Al₂O₃ injected into the ETV. Calibration was performed by standard addition with aqueous solutions of the analytes. The RSDs calculated from triplicate analysis ranged form 5 to 10%. Detection limits between 0.07 μg g^–1 (Ga) and 1.1 μg g^–1 (Na) were achieved. The accuracy was proven for the elements Ca, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and V by analyzing an NIST standard reference Al₂O₃ material (SRM 699) with a middle grain size of 16.4 μm. The analytical method was used for the analysis of Al₂O₃ powder (AKP 30, Sumitomo, Japan) with impurities in the low μg g^–1 range and a middle grain size of 1.1 μm. The results obtained for the elements Ca, Fe, Ga, Mg, Mn, Na, Ni, and V were comparable with those obtained by ICP–MS subsequent to conventional decomposition with hydrochloric acid at high pressure.     

Study of chemical modifiers for the determination of chromium in biological materials by tungsten coil electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

The determination of Cr in digest solutions of mussels and non-fat milk powder by tungsten coil electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometry (TC-ETAAS) is affected by interferences. This study reports a critical evaluation of chemical modifiers that could be employed to correct these interferences. The chemical modifiers tested were: Mg [as Mg(NO₃)₂], Pd [as Pd(NO₃)₂], NH₄NO₃, ascorbic acid, and mixtures of these compounds. The less effective modifier was NH₄NO₃. The best effects, considering thermal stabilization and sensitivity, were obtained in mixtures of ascorbic acid plus Mg. Chromium was determined by TC-ETAAS in certified reference materials of mussels and non-fat milk powder, and results were comparable with those obtained by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry (GFAAS).