Atomic spectrometry update. Environmental analysis

Abstract

This is the twentieth annual review published in JAAS of the application of atomic spectrometry to the chemical analysis of environmental samples. In the analysis of air, there is ongoing development of instrumentation for continuous emission monitoring and as a means of interrogating the composition of individual airborne particulates. Developments in mass spectrometry applications continue to be an active area of research where the advantages of low detection limits and abilities to perform isotopic measurements are being exploited. There is growing interest in performing speciation measurements in water and this is being aided by the development of hyphenated techniques, most notably via the coupling of chromatographic systems to ICP-MS. Dominant themes in the analysis of soils include the optimization of preconcentration (and matrix separation) techniques, development of speciation protocols, notably arsenic and the increased use of portable XRF systems for in situ analysis. In geological analysis, laser ablation as an analytical tool is attracting a wider audience. Multi-collector ICP-MS is increasingly being used in a number of geological facilities to perform high precision isotope ratio measurements.

Appropriate sampling strategy and analytical methodology to address contamination by industry. Part 2: Geochemistry and speciation analysis

“…It is often impossible to determine the different chemical species in a system, due to the complexity of such analysis; in this instance fractionation, defined as the process of classification of an analyte according to physical and chemical properties may be a useful approach [51]. Kotas J., Stasicka Z., [68] made a summary of all the techniques available for the Cr speciation in solid matrix samples, while Hill et al [6] indicated a list of main elements and the relative techniques that can be used to measure them in various sample media. Below will be illustrated the various species of chromium and some techniques for illustration.…”

“…The selection of the measuring technique will depend highly on the detection limit of the expected concentrations of respective elements. Hill et al [6] made an extensive summary of all the available detection techniques and possibilities for various sampling types and element speciation.…”

“…Analytical chemistry has become the science that does not just provide the results, but the best strategy to measure chemical properties of various sampling media. Selection of appropriate sampling types, sample collection, sample pre-treatment and chemistry analysis are the main subsequent steps that will infer the contamination in a specific site [6]. The aim of this literature review is to summarize and address the advantages and pitfalls of: the key steps in sample pretreatment; the general characterization of the sample; the selected methods that are used to assess mobility and speciation of contaminants in past or present industrial sites.…”

Speciation analysis of inorganic form of arsenic in ground water samples by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry with insitu trapping in graphite tube

“…Many analytical methods have been used in determination of arsenic species: AAS, ICP-MS, ICP-AES, the hyphenated systems with GC or HPLC, and the methods in combination with generation of hydrides HG [2]. The technique of hydride generation permits isolation of an element under determination from the interfering matrix and allows speciation-making use of the differences in the kinetics of hydride formation by As (III) and As (V) [3].…”

Determination of inorganic arsenic species As(III) and As(V) by high performance liquid chromatography with hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry detection

“…A number of analytical methods have been used for the purpose AAS, ICP-MS, ICP-AES, in combination with the technique of hydride generation HG [3]. The use of hydride generation as a technique for introduction of the analyte in spectrometric methods permits isolation of the element under determination from the interfering environmental matrix and determination of particular species on the basis of the di®erences in the kinetics of hydride generation by As(III) and As(V) [4], [5].…”