Analytical methodologies for chromium speciation in solid matrices: a survey of literature

The analytical literature about chromium speciation in solid samples has been surveyed. From 451 articles published on the speciation of chromium from 1983 to 1997, the methodologies to do speciation in solids after sample pretreatment are discussed, through consideration of the types of samples and their dissolution, the analytical techniques employed for chromium measurement, and the figures of merit of the 86 papers reported in the Analytical Abstracts data base.     

Analytical methodologies for chromium speciation in solid matrices: a survey of literature

The analytical literature about chromium speciation in solid samples has been surveyed. From 451 articles published on the speciation of chromium from 1983 to 1997, the methodologies to do speciation in solids after sample pretreatment are discussed, through consideration of the types of samples and their dissolution, the analytical techniques employed for chromium measurement, and the figures of merit of the 86 papers reported in the Analytical Abstracts data base. Received: 6 February 1998 / Revised: 6 March 1998 / Accepted: 7 March 1998     

Characteristics of Voltammetric Determination and Speciation of Chromium – A Review

This article reviews the voltammetric methods of chromium determination, including adsorptive and catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetry at liquid mercury, metallic films, and modified carbon paste electrodes. The principle applications of the catalytic adsorptive stripping voltammetric method of chromium(VI) determination in the presence of DTPA and nitrate, most useful in the analysis of chromium traces and its speciation, is presented in detail. Special emphasis is put on the presentation and characterization of the voltammetric procedures which make it possible to conduction speciation studies of chromium(VI) in the presence of a great excess of chromium(III) and surfactants. This survey is based on 173 articles.     

Speciation analysis of heavy metals in natural waters: a review.

Metal speciation in natural waters is of increasing interest and importance because toxicity, bioavailability, environmental mobility, biogeochemical behavior, and potential risk in general are strongly dependent on the chemical species of metals. This paper provides an overview of the need for speciation of heavy metals in natural waters, the chemical and toxicological aspects of speciation, and the analytical procedures for separation and the different techniques for final determination that are used today. The trends and developments of speciation are also discussed. Finally, the case of chromium (Cr) was selected for a detailed presentation because the speciation of this metal has attracted a great deal of interest in view of the toxic properties of Cr(VI).     

Ultrasonic assisted deep eutectic solvent liquid–liquid microextraction using azadipyrromethene dye as complexing agent for assessment of chromium species in environmental samples by electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

A novel type of solvent named deep eutectic solvent (DES) has been considered as a green ionic liquid analogue. A novel method was developed for enrichment and speciation of chromium ion from water and food samples based on deep eutectic solvent and ultrasonic extraction. The procedure for this method was comprised of Cr(III) complex formation with a hydrophobic complexing agent (Z)‐N‐(3,5‐diphenyl‐1H‐pyrrol‐2‐yl)‐3,5‐diphenyl‐2H‐pyrrol‐2‐imine (azadipyrromethene dye). Metal complex was entrapped in a deep eutectic solvent as an extracting solvent. While Cr(III) recovery was quantitative, the recovery of Cr(VI) was found 5%. After reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III), the method was applied for determination of total chromium(III) ion. The amount of Cr(VI) was calculated as subtracting of Cr(III) from total chromium ion. Various analytical parameters were optimized. The certified reference materials were analyzed and standard addition method also carried out to real samples to check the accuracy of the developed method. Preconcentration factor was found to be 50. The limit of detection of chromium(III) was found to be 4.3 ng l^‐1. The precision of developed method as the relative standard deviation (RSD) was found as 3.5 %. The developed method was applied successfully for the speciation of chromium ions in water and food samples.     

Carrier element-free coprecipitation (CEFC) method for the separation, preconcentration and speciation of chromium using an isatin derivative

A new, simple, rapid and sensitive separation, preconcentration and speciation procedure for chromium in environmental liquid and solid samples has been established. The present speciation procedure for Cr(III) and Cr(VI) is based on combination of carrier element-free coprecipitation (CEFC) and flame atomic absorption spectrometric (FAAS) determinations. In this method a newly synthesized organic coprecipitant, 5-chloro-3-[4-(trifluoromethoxy) phenylimino]indolin-2-one (CFMEPI), was used without adding any carrier element for coprecipitation of chromium(III). After reduction of chromium(VI) by concentrated H₂SO₄ and ethanol, the procedure was applied for the determination of total chromium. Chromium(VI) was calculated as the difference between the amount of total chromium and chromium(III). The optimum conditions for coprecipitation and speciation processes were investigated on several commonly tested experimental parameters, such as pH of the solution, amount of coprecipitant, sample volume, etc. No considerable interference was observed from the other investigated anions and cations, which may be found in natural water samples. The preconcentration factor was found to be 40. The detection limit for chromium(III) corresponding to three times the standard deviation of the blank (N = 10) was found 0.7 μg L⁻¹. The present procedure was successfully applied for speciation of chromium in several liquid and solid environmental samples. In order to support the accuracy of the method, the certified reference materials (CRM-TMDW-500 Drinking Water and CRM-SA-C Sandy Soil C) were analyzed, and standard APDC-MIBK liquid-liquid extraction method was performed. The results obtained were in good agreement with the certified values.     

Arsenic speciation analysis

Nearly two dozen arsenic species are present in the environmental and biological systems. Differences in their toxicity, biochemical and environmental behaviors require the determination of these individual arsenic species. Considerable analytical progresses have been made toward arsenic speciation analysis over the last decade. Hyphenated techniques involving a highly efficient separation and a highly sensitive detection have become the techniques of choice. Methods based on high-performance liquid chromatography separation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, hydride generation atomic spectrometry, and electrospray mass spectrometry detection have been shown most useful for arsenic speciation in environmental and biological matrices. These hyphenated techniques have resulted in the determination of new arsenic species, contributing to a better understanding of arsenic metabolism and biogeochemical cycling. Methods for extracting arsenic species from solid samples and for stabilizing arsenic species in solutions are required for obtaining reliable arsenic speciation information.     

Speciation and detection of arsenic in aqueous samples: A review of recent progress in non-atomic spectrometric methods

Inorganic arsenic (As) displays extreme toxicity and is a class A human carcinogen. It is of interest to both analytical chemists and environmental scientists. Facile and sensitive determination of As and knowledge of the speciation of forms of As in aqueous samples are vitally important. Nearly every nation has relevant official regulations on permissible limits of drinking water As content. The size of the literature on As is therefore formidable. The heart of this review consists of two tables: one is a compilation of principal official documents and major review articles, including the toxicology and chemistry of As. This includes comprehensive official compendia on As speciation, sample treatment, recommended procedures for the determination of As in specific sample matrices with specific analytical instrument(s), procedures for multi-element (including As) speciation and analysis, and prior comprehensive reviews on arsenic analysis. The second table focuses on the recent literature (2005–2013, the coverage for 2013 is incomplete) on As measurement in aqueous matrices. Recent As speciation and analysis methods based on spectrometric and electrochemical methods, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry, neutron activation analysis and biosensors are summarized. We have deliberately excluded atomic optical spectrometric techniques (atomic absorption, atomic fluorescence, inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry) not because they are not important (in fact the majority of arsenic determinations are possibly carried out by one of these techniques) but because these methods are sufficiently mature and little meaningful innovation has been made beyond what is in the officially prescribed compendia (which are included) and recent reviews are available.     

The chemical speciation of aluminium in human serum

Chemical speciation of aluminium in the low molecular mass (LMM) and high molecular mass (HMM) fractions of human serum is discussed. A critical review of the literature on different analytical procedures described for the speciation of aluminium in human serum samples is presented here. The methodologies, the experimental and instrumental requirements and the ability of the reported analytical procedures for identification of HMM and LMM aluminium species in human serum are examined in detail. Non-chromatographic separations coupled to electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry for aluminium detection are compared with chromatographic techniques (size exclusion chromatography, anion exchange chromatography and fast protein liquid chromatography) coupled to ETAAS or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) detection for Al-HMM species investigations. Studies and techniques reported for Al-LMM compounds are also summarised, both for healthy volunteers and dialysis patients. On the basis of the knowledge obtained from the application of the developed analytical procedures to real serum analysis, it has been demonstrated that most of Al in human serum is bound to Al-transferrin, while the LMM-Al fraction (10-20% of total Al) mainly contains Al-citrate, Al-phosphate and ternary Al-citrate-phosphate complexes.     

Chromium speciation using an automated liquid handling system with inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometric detection

The speciation of inorganic chromium in environmental samples is required for accurate assessment of pollution levels. Of the two chromium oxidation states, Cr (VI) is a known carcinogen, while Cr (III) is an essential element. Total chromium measurement cannot be used to determine actual environmental impact due to the considerable difference in toxicity of the two elemental forms. An automated liquid handling system, the PrepLab™, can be used with an inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometer (ICP-MS) to quantify Cr (III) and Cr (VI) in liquid samples. An autosampler is used to introduce discrete sample volumes into a solid-phase chelation resin column. The Cr (III) and Cr (VI) species are separated and are introduced on-line into the VG PlasmaQuad 3 ICP-MS for detection. The chromatographic data are collected in time resolved analysis mode with the capability of simultaneous multiple-isotopic detection.     

Simultaneous speciation of inorganic chromium(III) and chromium(VI) by hollow‐fiber‐based liquid‐phase microextraction coupled with HPLC–UV

The speciation of chromium(VI) and chromium(III) was investigated by using hollow fiber liquid‐phase microextraction based on two immiscible organic solvents followed by high performance liquid chromatography with ultraviolet detection. In this method, chromium(VI) and chromium(III) reacted with ammonium pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate to produce hydrophobic complexes. Subsequently, the complexes were first extracted into a thin layer of organic solvent (n‐dodecane) present in the pores of a porous hollow fiber, and then into a μL volume of an organic acceptor (methanol) located inside the lumen of the hollow fiber. Then, the extracting organic phase was injected into the separation column of the high‐performance liquid chromatograph for the analysis of both chromium species. Effective parameters on extraction were optimized using one‐variable‐at‐a‐time method and central composite design. Under optimized conditions, a linear range of 0.25–100 and 0.5–100 μg/L (R ² > 0.998), the limits of detection of (S/N = 3) 0.08 and 0.1 μg/L and a preconcentration factor of 625 and 556 were achieved for chromium(VI) and chromium(III), respectively. The method was successfully applied to the speciation and determination of chromium species in different water samples and satisfactory results were obtained.     

Toward chromium speciation in solids using wavelength dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry Cr Kβ lines

The determination of chromium speciation in solid samples is critical for environmental and industrial purposes. Several analytical methods exist to perform such a determination either directly in solid state or liquid state after an extraction step, each of them having some limitations. In this study, the use of a high-resolution wavelength-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometer to determine and quantify chromium species is investigated by looking at the differences in the Kβ transition profiles between Cr(0), Cr(III) and Cr(VI) compounds. Three different approaches were tested and compared to determine the Cr(VI) fraction of known mixtures: relative height and peak fitting using calibration mixtures, partial least square regression (PLS) of pure compounds, and principal component regression (PCR) of pure compounds. The accuracy of these methods was found to be about the same with an average relative error in the range of 15%. However, PLS and PCR can be easily implemented in an automated way contrary to peak fitting which can be sometimes perceived as analyst-dependant. Another advantage of using PLS and PCR is that information concerning the other oxidation states present in the sample can be retrieved. Finally, PLS and the peak height approach can be used up to 0.5% total chromium which make the XRF an alternative technique to X-ray induced photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) for chromium speciation in solid state.     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry in the study of metal ion speciation

The literature on the use of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) in the determination of metals in speciation studies of different samples is comprehensively reviewed. The methods of extraction, preconcentration, etc. in connection with speciation studies have been highlighted. The ETAAS programmes and other details of the developed methodologies are discussed. On critical examination it becomes obvious that chromium is the metal which has been analysed by most workers. Study of other metals falls in the following order: Pb, Sn, Cu, As, Al, Cd, Zn, Fe, Ni and Se. It is clearly evident that the major work on metal ion speciation has been carried out in natural water, followed by biological materials. There are also many reports on the speciation analysis of soil and sediment. Only a few papers have been published on metal speciation in airborne particulates. The analytical details of the developed methodologies have been examined in terms of limit of detection, precision and accuracy. Received: 27 December 1995 / Revised: 20 May 1996 / Accepted: 26 May 1996     

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry in the study of metal ion speciation

The literature on the use of electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) in the determination of metals in speciation studies of different samples is comprehensively reviewed. The methods of extraction, preconcentration, etc. in connection with speciation studies have been highlighted. The ETAAS programmes and other details of the developed methodologies are discussed. On critical examination it becomes obvious that chromium is the metal which has been analysed by most workers. Study of other metals falls in the following order: Pb, Sn, Cu, As, Al, Cd, Zn, Fe, Ni and Se. It is clearly evident that the major work on metal ion speciation has been carried out in natural water, followed by biological materials. There are also many reports on the speciation analysis of soil and sediment. Only a few papers have been published on metal speciation in airborne particulates. The analytical details of the developed methodologies have been examined in terms of limit of detection, precision and accuracy. Received: 27 December 1995 / Revised: 20 May 1996 / Accepted: 26 May 1996     

Comparison of standard and reaction cell inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in the determination of chromium and selenium species by HPLC-ICP-MS

Elemental speciation is becoming a common analytical procedure for geochemical investigations. The various redox species of environmentally relevant metals can have vastly different biogeochemical properties, including sorption, solubility, bioavailability, and toxicity. The use of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) coupled to elemental specific detectors, such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), has become one of the most important speciation methods employed. This is due to the separation versatility of HPLC and the sensitive and selective detection capabilities of ICP-MS. The current study compares standard mode ICP-MS to recently developed reaction cell (RC) ICP-MS, which has the ability to remove or reduce many common polyatomic interferences that can limit the ability of ICP-MS to quantitate certain analytes in complex matrices. Determination of chromium and selenium redox species is achieved using ion-exchange chromatography with elemental detection by standard and RC-ICP-MS, using various chromium and selenium isotopes. In this study, method performance and detection limits for the various permutations of the method (isotope monitored or ICP-MS detection mode) were found to be comparable and generally less than 1 μg L⁻¹. The method was tested on synthetic laboratory samples, surface water, groundwater, and municipal tap water matrices.     

土壤中砷形态分析研究进展

本文评述了近年来国内外土壤中砷形态分析的主要研究方法,包括联用分析法、分级提取法和同步辐射X-射线线吸收光谱法。联用分析法包括气相色谱联用法、毛细管电泳联用法和高效液相色谱联用法。重点介绍了目前应用范围较广的高效液相色谱-等离子体质谱(HPLC-ICP-MS)联用法和高效液相色谱-氢化物发生-原子荧光光谱(HPLC-HG-AFS)联用法。同步辐射X-射线线吸收光谱法近几年发展迅速,是最具发展潜力的形态分析方法。     

Advances in arsenic speciation techniques

The present review describes the speciation techniques of arsenic. The principal advanced techniques discussed are gas chromatography, reversed-phase liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, capillary electrophoresis. Some other techniques are also mentioned. The extraction procedures of arsenic species from unknown samples are also discussed. Arsenic speciation is summarized in tabular form and optimizing parameters are also discussed.     

Determination of Ni and Cr in soils by slurry graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry

The analytical conditions for chromium and nickel determination in soils by slurry sampling graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GFAAS) are presented. Stability tests for slurries have been carried out. The ratio of the amount of the analyte found in the liquid phase to the total amount is investigated. The influence of the soil matrix on the background is described. Less sensitive resonance lines of chromium rather than an internal gas flow through the graphite furnace are recommended for some soil samples with high contents of chromium.     

Speciation of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in environmental samples by using coprecipitation with praseodymium(III) hydroxide and determination by flame atomic absorption spectrometry

A speciation procedure has been established for the flame atomic absorption spectrometric determination of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) based on coprecipitation of Cr(III) by using praseodymium(III) hydroxide (Pr(OH)₃) precipitate. In the presented system, Cr(III) was quantitatively (>95%) recovered at the pH range of 10.0?C12.0 on Pr(III) hydroxide, while the recoveries of Cr(VI) were below 10%. The method was applied to the determination of the total chromium after reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III) by using hydroxylamine hydrochloride. The concentration of Cr(VI) is calculated by difference of total chromium and Cr(III) levels. The analytical parameters including pH of the aqueous medium, amount of Pr(III), centrifugation speed, sample volume were optimized. The influences of matrix ions were also investigated. The method was validated by the analysis of TMDA 70 fortified lake water certified reference material. The method was applied to the speciation of chromium in water samples.