Ultratrace element

Sequential and simultaneous multi-element ultratrace detection... 

The essential mineral nutrients are classified either as principal elements or as trace and ultratrace elements. The distinction between these groups is the relative amounts ia the dietary requirement (see Table 1). 

Complete qualitative and quantitative bulk elemental analysis of conducting solids to ultratrace levels... 

Because GDMS can provide ultratrace analysis with total elemental coverage, the technique fills a unique analytical niche, supplanting Spark-Source Mass Spectrometry (SSMS) by supplying the same analysis with an order-of-magnitude better accuracy and orders-of-magnitude improvement in detection limits. GDMS analy-... 

Since then, TXRE has become the standard tool for surface and subsurface microanalysis [4.7-4.11]. In 1983 Becker reported the angular dependence of X-ray fluorescence intensities in the range of total reflection [4.12]. Recent demands have set the pace of further development in the field of TXRE - improved detection limits [4.13] in combination with subtle surface preparation techniques [4.14, 4.15], analyte concentrations extended even to ultratraces (pg) of light elements, e. g. A1 [4.16], spe-dation of different chemical states [4.17], and novel optical arrangements [4.18] and X-ray sources [4.19, 4.20]. 

Trace element analysis has become sufficiently important, especially to industrial users, that commercial laboratories specialising in trace and ultratrace elemental analysis are springing up. One such company specialises in high-resolution glow-discharge mass spectromety , which can often go, it is claimed, to better than parts per billion. This company s advertisements also offer a service, domiciled in India, to provide various forms of wet chemical analysis which, it is claimed, is now nearly impossible to find in the United States . 

Nielsen FH Nutritional significance of the ultratrace elements. Nutr Rev 1988 46 337. 

Sen Gupta JG, Bertrand NB (1995) Direct ICP-MS determination of trace and ultratrace elements in geological materials after decomposition in a microwave oven I. Quantitation of Y, Th, U, and the lanthanides. Talanta 42 1595-1607... 

In a typical MIP-MS instrument, the ICP portion is replaced with one of a variety of microwave discharge sources, usually a fairly standardised (modified) Beenakker cavity connected to a microwave generator. The analytical MIP at intermediate power (<500 W) is a small and quiet plasma source compared with the ICP. The mass spectrometer needs no major modifications for it to be interfaced with the MIP. With MIP used as a spectroscopic radiation source, typically consisting of a capillary (1mm i.d.), a power of 30-50 W and a gas flow below 1 L min 1, multi-element determinations are possible. By applying electrodeposition on graphite electrodes, ultratrace element determinations are within reach, e.g. pg amounts of Hg. 

The isotope dilution method can be used for the measurement of molecules or elemental species (about 60 elements have stable isotopes). This approach allows ultratrace analysis because, contrary to radioactive labelling where the measurement relies on detecting atoms that decay during the period of measurement, all of the labelled atoms are measured. 

Since the concentrations of the various compounds or oxidation states in which trace elements can occur are always lower than the total content of the analyte, speciation analysis is normally an ultratrace determination in the ng L-1 range for solutions and the ng g 1 range for... 

The chemistry of rare earth elements makes them particularly useful in studies of marine geochemistry [637]. But the determination of rare earths in seawater at ultratrace levels has always been a difficult task. Of the various methods applied, instrumental neutron activation analysis and isotope dilution mass spectrometry were the main techniques used for the determination of rare earths in seawater. However, sample preparation is tedious and large amounts of water are required in neutron activation analysis. In addition, the method can only offer relatively low sample throughputs and some rare earths cannot be determined. The main drawbacks of isotopic dilution mass spectrometry are that it is time-consuming and expensive, and monoisotopic elements cannot be determined as well. 

Advantages High analysis rate 3-4 elements per hour Applicable to many more metals than voltammetric methods Superior to voltammetry for mercury and arsenic particularly in ultratrace range Disadvantages Nonspecific absorption Spectral interferences Element losses by molecular distillation before atomisation Limited dynamic range Contamination sensitivity Element specific (or one element per run) Not suitable for speciation studies in seawater Prior separation of sea salts from metals required Suspended particulates need prior digestion About three times as expensive as voltammetric equipment Inferior to voltammetry for cobalt and nickel... 

Table 4 summarizes the ultratrace elements that have been determined in serum and urine at physiological levels. These are those elements that generally occur at 0.1 ppm or less. Lead is included because it is near this level. 

Table 4. Ultratrace elements determined in serum and urine a)...

Chemical elements essential to life forms can be broken down into four major categories (1) bulk elements (H, C, N, O, P, S) (2) macrominerals and ions (Na, K, Mg, Ca, Cl, PO4A SC>4 ) (3) trace elements (Fe, Zn, Cu) and (4) ultratrace elements, comprised of nonmetals (F, I, Se, Si, As, B) and metals (Mn, Mo, Co, Cr, V, Ni, Cd, Sn, Pb, Li). The identities of essential elements are based on historical work and that done by Klaus Schwarz in the 1970s.1 Other essential elements may be present in various biological species. Essentiality has been defined by certain... 

Elemental analysis at the trace or ultratrace level can be performed by a number of analytical techniques however, atomic spectroscopy remains... 

Elemental analysis can be performed at ultratrace levels with any atomic spectrometric technique and the final selection is based on the identity and the number of elements to be determined. The initial step that is common to all analyses by atomic spectroscopy is the generation of a homogeneous solution. 

All reagents and solvents that are used to prepare the sample for analysis should be ultrapure to prevent contamination of the sample with impurities. Plastic ware should be avoided since these materials may contain ultratrace elements that can be leached into the analyte solutions. Chemically cleaned glassware is recommended for all sample preparation procedures. Liquid samples can be analyzed directly or after dilution when the concentrations are too high. Remember, all analytical errors are multiplied by dilution factors therefore, using atomic spectroscopy to determine high concentrations of elements may be less accurate than classical gravimetric methods. 

Generally, extensive prior information is known about the sample in terms of the elemental composition and in these cases methods of analysis can be selected that will provide the desired result. However, if this information is not available or else a more general survey of ultratrace elements is required, then AES with an inductively coupled plasma source is the only atomic spectrometric technique that can provide these data at ultratrace levels. 

The quantification of ultratrace elements by atomic spectroscopy should be performed on the basis of the addition of a series of known concentrations of the element(s) to the sample and quantifications are... 

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