Environmental sampling, fluorescent

Zinc smelters use x-ray fluorescence spectrometry to analyze for zinc and many other metals in concentrates, calcines, residues, and trace elements precipitated from solution, such as arsenic, antimony, selenium, tellurium, and tin. X-ray analysis is also used for quaUtative and semiquantitative analysis. Electrolytic smelters rely heavily on AAS and polarography for solutions, residues, and environmental samples. 

Dzubay, T. G., "X-Ray Fluorescence Analysis of Environmental Samples.". Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Ann Arbor, MI, 1977. 

In the analysis of complex PAH mixtures obtained from environmental samples, reversed-phase LC-FL typically provides reliable results for only 8-12 major PAHs (Wise et al. 1993a). To increase the number of PAHs determined by LC-FL, a multidimensional LC procedure is used to isolate and enrich specific isomeric PAHs that could not be measured easily in the total PAH fraction because of interferences, low concentrations, and/or low fluorescence sensitivity or selectivity. This multi-dimensional procedure, which has been described previously (Wise et al. 1977 May and Wise 1984 Wise et al. 1993a, 1993b), consists of a normal-phase LC separation of the PAHs based on the number of aromatic carbon atoms in the PAH, thereby providing fractions containing only isomeric PAHs and their alkyl-substituted isomers. These isomeric fractions are then analyzed by reversed-phase LC-FL to separate and quantify the various isomers. 

Reversed-phase HPLC followed by post-column derivatization and subsequent fluorescence detection is the most common technique for quantitative determination of oxime carbamate insecticides in biological and environmental samples. However, for fast, sensitive, and specific analysis of biological and environmental samples, detection by MS and MS/MS is preferred over fluorescence detection. Thus, descriptions and recommendations for establishing and optimizing HPLC fluorescence, HPLC/ MS, and HPLC/MS/MS analyses are discussed first. This is followed by specific rationales for methods and descriptions of the recommended residue methods that are applicable to most oxime carbamates in plant, animal tissue, soil, and water matrices. 

There are methods available to quantify the total mass of americium in environmental samples. Mass spectrometric methods provide total mass measurements of americium isotopes (Dacheux and Aupiais 1997, 1998 Halverson 1984 Harvey et al. 1993) however, these detection methods have not gained the same popularity as is found for the radiochemical detection methods. This may relate to the higher purchase price of a MS system, the increased knowledge required to operate the equipment, and the selection by EPA of a-spectrometry for use in its standard analytical methods. Fluorimetric methods, which are commonly used to determine the total mass of uranium and curium in environmental samples, have limited utility to quantify americium, due to the low quantum yield of fluorescence for americium (Thouvenout et al. 1993). 

AEOs have been analysed by HPLC and UV or fluorescence detection after suitable derivatisation. The derivatising agents proposed so far are phenyl isocyanate [80,81], 1-anthroylnitrile [82], 3,5-dinitro-benzoyl chloride [83], naphthyl isocyanate [84] and naphthoyl chloride [84], However, the lack of fluorescence activity and the need for synthesis through a multistep reaction for some derivatising agents limits their application in a real-world analysis. In fact, only a few of them were applied in the determination of AEOs in environmental samples. Zanette et al. [84] developed derivatisation and separation... 

The Sir Galahad instrument takes advantage of the inherent sensitivity of the Merhn fluorescence detector. This detector was originally developed for the analysis of mercury in environmental samples and its principles have been described by Godden and Stockwell [14], Stockwell et al. [IS] have described specific apphcations of the device. It offers a more hnear dynamic range, sensitivity, simplicity of design and the benefits of fiiU automation. 

With analytical methods such as x-ray fluorescence (XRF), proton-induced x-ray emission (PIXE), and instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA), many metals can be simultaneously analyzed without destroying the sample matrix. Of these, XRF and PEXE have good sensitivity and are frequently used to analyze nickel in environmental samples containing low levels of nickel such as rain, snow, and air (Hansson et al. 1988 Landsberger et al. 1983 Schroeder et al. 1987 Wiersema et al. 1984). The Texas Air Control Board, which uses XRF in its network of air monitors, reported a mean minimum detectable value of 6 ng nickel/m (Wiersema et al. 1984). A detection limit of 30 ng/L was obtained using PIXE with a nonselective preconcentration step (Hansson et al. 1988). In these techniques, the sample (e.g., air particulates collected on a filter) is irradiated with a source of x-ray photons or protons. The excited atoms emit their own characteristic energy spectrum, which is detected with an x-ray detector and multichannel analyzer. INAA and neutron activation analysis (NAA) with prior nickel separation and concentration have poor sensitivity and are rarely used (Schroeder et al. 1987 Stoeppler 1984). 

Nelson, J.W. Proton-induced aerosol analyses methods and samplers in Dzubay, T.G., Ed. "X-ray Fluorescence Analysis of Environmental Samples" Ann Arbor Science Ann Arbor, MI, 1977 pp. 19-34. 

Different analytical techniques such as ICP-OES (optical emission spectrometry with inductively coupled plasma source), XRF (X-ray fluorescence analysis), AAS (atomic absorption spectrometry) with graphite furnace and flame GF-AAS and FAAS, NAA (neutron activation analysis) and others, are employed for the trace analysis of environmental samples. The main features of selected atomic spectrometric techniques (ICP-MS, ICP-OES and AAS) are summarized in Table 9.20.1 The detection ranges and LODs of selected analytical techniques for trace analysis on environmental samples are summarized in Figure 9.15.1... 

Ultimately major efforts to develop coupled chromatographic techniques have been performed to alleviate the problem of manual sample pretreatment and to enhance sensitivity and selectivity in the analysis of PAHs in foodstuffs (192) and environmental samples (193-195). Liquid chromatography/MS (196,197), GC/MS (175), HPLC with UV absorbance, fluorescence (177) (see Fig. 4), or electrochemical (ED) detection (179), and ELISA immunoassay (198) have been successfully used for the determination of HAAs. 

A number of analytical techniques have been used for measuring aluminum concentrations in environmental samples. These include GFAAS, FAAS, NAA, ICP-AES, ICP-MS, spectrophotometry using absorbance and fluorescence detection, phosphorimetry, chromatography and gas chromatography equipped with an electron capture detector (GC/ECD) (Andersen 1987, 1988 Benson et al. 1990 ... 

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