Introducing Frontal Chromatography–Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry as a Fast Method for Speciation Analysis: The Case of Inorganic Arsenic

Abstract

A frontal chromatography–ICP-MS method (FC-ICP-MS) is proposed as an innovative approach for fast elemental speciation analysis: inorganic arsenic speciation was selected as the first case study to prove the feasibility of the technique and to explore its potentialities and limits. The principal benefits of the FC-ICP-MS approach are the short analysis time and the very simple instrumental setup. As­(III) and As­(V) front separation is performed over a strong anion exchanger at pH 7.5. After the optimization of the instrumental setup and the frontal chromatographic parameters, As­(III) and As­(V) concentrations up to 240 μg/kg can be determined within 120–140 s using different univariate and multivariate calibration approaches. Best results in terms of accuracy in prediction were obtained using the partial least squares (PLS) calibration achieving limits of detection of 0.18 and 0.21 μg/kg for As­(III) and As­(V), respectively. This approach was also used to establish the figures of merit of the method. The proved feasibility and good performances (in terms of analysis time and accuracy) of this technique lay the groundwork for future applications of FC-ICP-MS for the speciation of other elements.

Geochemical Markers as a Tool for the Characterization of a Multi-Layer Urban Aquifer: The Case Study of Como (Northern Italy)

“…However, it is still not possible to infer a more specific mechanism of dissolution of this element. To confirm the most likely mechanisms of As dissolution and evaluate the causes of this geochemical anomaly, more specific analyses (e.g., speciation in groundwater and in solid matrices [73]) and the comparison with other springs (for water) and cores (for sediments) in different localities close to the study area are needed. The presence of this toxic element warrants a careful and dedicated investigation, especially when considering the abundant exploitation of water for human use in the southern part of Como basin [74].…”

Atomic spectrometry update: review of advances in elemental speciation

“…One exception is the use of frontal chromatography (FC) coupled to ICP-MS for the first time. 37 In FC, the concentration of an analyte is estimated from frontal sigmoidal curves which can be seen as the integral of a conventional elution chromatogram. The principal benefits of the FC-ICP-MS approach are reported to be the short analysis time and the simple instrumental setup.…”

Trendbericht Analytische Chemie II: Trenntechniken und Elektroanalytik

“…Kürzlich wurde ein weiteres hinzugefügt: Frontalchromatographie für eine einfache und schnelle Speziesanalytik. 19) Die Die Analyten der CE-ICP-MS reichen von anorganischen Ionen zu biologischen Makromolekülen. Dabei lassen sich die Puffer so wählen, dass empfindliche Spezies nicht durch die Trennbedingungen zerstört werden.…”