Our study was carried out with the aim of evaluating the influence that the degree of physical activity may have on plasma concentrations of essential and toxic elements. Copper and zinc, elements of known importance in basic cellular processes, have been analysed as essential, and cadmium and lead as toxic for the body in abnormal doses. The study was performed on a total population of 50 healthy individuals, 34 of them professional sportsmen and the rest who undertook moderate physical activity (control group), all of them living in a polluted environment (Madrid, Spain). Sampling was conducted at the beginning of the season (October). Electro-analytical techniques of proved reliability and accuracy were used for the determination of the metals. The results were related to data obtained using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry and by use of biological reference materials. We found significantly higher zinc plasma concentrations in the sportsmen involved in anaerobic-type training (judo, fencing) compared to those undertaking aerobic activities (endurance, cycling) (P < 0.05). The values in both cases were higher than those found in the control group. Our study showed an increase of plasma copper concentrations in professional sportsmen, especially in those performing anaerobic activities, compared to those subjects undertaking moderate activity (control group) (P < 0.05). In summary, our results showed that there were no deficiencies of copper and zinc in the athletes studied at the beginning of the season. The levels were higher than those of the control population. As for the toxic metals, cadmium and lead, we observed lower levels in the athletes than in the control group (cadmium P < 0.005, lead P < 0.05). These results may indicate the existence of possible elimination systems for these metals in athletes, when they are training in a polluted environment.

Eight different bottled wines (six red wines and two white ones) were studied for copper determination and fractionation. For this purpose, copper determination by square wave voltammetry (SWV) and potentiometry (PSA) stripping analysis using Hg electrodes (drop and film, respectively) were carried out. Two direct procedures for the determination of total copper in wine are proposed; in both cases, drastic treatment of samples is not necessary, the procedures are very fast (estimated time to carry out an analysis is <10 min) and require no deaeration. Fractionating treatment consists of various HCl additions followed by the addition of ethylenediamine. Precision (RSD < 3%) and accuracy (recovery > 98%) data justify that both methods proposed are valid for total copper determination in wine. The wines studied displayed similar behaviors regarding fractionation: the percentages of total copper fractionated in each step are statistically similar: differences are lower than 2 S.

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Cu analyses by square‐wave voltammetry (SWV) and potentiometric stripping analysis (PSA) using Hg electrodes have been carried out in samples of animal (dog, pig) cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) using media modified with EN (ethylenediamine), N‐MET‐EN (n‐methyl‐ethylenediamine) and DENTRI (diethylenetriamine), taking advantage of the complexing capacity of these reagents towards Cu. Except for the addition just mentioned samples were analyzed with no previous treatment. To confirm the results obtained, a study of these samples through atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) and the aforementioned techniques (SWV, PSA) were carried out, now with a previous treatment in high pressure acid (HPA). The recommended analytical procedures require times less than 15 minutes and sample volumes less than 50 μL. Besides this, the reliability of the results makes these procedures quite appropriate for medical purposes.

The usefulness of an analytical method must be measured according to its practical application possibilities. A comparative study has been carried out here between the SW (working in an open atmosphere) and DP (working with de-aerated solutions) variants of catalytic-stripping adsorptive voltammetry applied to the determination of chromium traces in triethylenetetraminehexaacetic acid (TTHA) medium. In order to optimise the analytical signal, accumulation potential, nitrate ion concentration, pH, and TTHA concentration parameters were evaluated. Four linearity ranges were established within the interval 0.5-2000 nmol L(-1) chromium concentration in the cell, each with the recommended accumulation time. Quality parameters such as repeatability, linear regression, validity limits, precision, and sensitivity were evaluated. The SW variant is significantly advantageous when the chromium concentration in cell is less than 10 nmol L(-1) and even more if analysis time, cost, and being able to work in an open atmosphere are considered. The results are comparable to those obtained using GTAAS. Employing a CRM (tomato leaves), the accuracy is 1-4%. The proposed procedure, using tree leaves as samples, has been successfully tested for the possible monitoring of chromium contamination of the atmosphere.