Seawater sampling methods

A multi-residue method for 25 selected pesticides including propanil using an SPE disk has also been developed as a rapid screening method for organic contaminants in river, lake and seawater samples. Cig SPE disks are conditioned with 10 mL of acetone for 3 h. Water samples (1L) are allowed to percolate through the disks in order to trap the residues at a fiow rate of 50 mL min under vacuum. Residues trapped in the disks are extracted twice by eluting with 5 mL of dichloromethane-ethyl acetate (1 1, v/v). The more hydrophobic compounds (log/fow>3) seem to show no... 

Ashton and Chan [ 1 ] have reviewed the techniques for the collection of seawater samples preservation, storage, and prevention of contamination are all discussed. The most appropriate measurement techniques, preconcentration and extraction, method validation, and analytical control are all covered. The apparent aluminium content of seawater stored in ordinary containers such as glass and polyethylene bottles decreases gradually, e.g., to half in 2.5 h. But if the samples are acidified with 0.5ml/l concentrated sulfuric acid the aluminium content remains constant for at least one month. Accordingly, samples should be acidified immediately after collection. However, the aluminium could be recovered by acidifying the stored samples and leaving them for at least five hours. 

Several round-robin intercalibrations for trace metals in seawater [26-30] have demonstrated a marked improvement in both analytical precision and numerical agreement of results among different laboratories. However, it has often been claimed that spurious results for the determination of metals in seawater can arise unless certain sampling devices and practical methods of sampler deployment are applied to the collection of seawater samples. It is therefore desirable that the biases arising through the use of different, commonly used sampling techniques be assessed to decide upon the most appropriate technique ) for both oceanic baseline and nearshore pollution studies. 

Wong et al. [38] conducted an inter comparison of sampling devices using seawater at 9 m in a plastic enclosure of 65 m in Saanich Inlet, BC, Canada. The sampling methods were ... 

Changes in the distribution of organic compounds in a seawater sample can be due to physical, chemical, or biological factors. As a physical factor, we might consider the absorption of surface-active materials on the walls of the sample container. While this effect cannot be eliminated it can be minimised by the use of the largest convenient sample bottle, and the avoidance of plastic (especially Teflon) containers. Another possible method of eliminating this source of error would be to draw the sample directly into the container in which the analytical reaction is to be run. 

Ahern et al. [50] have discussed the separation of chromium in seawater. The method involved co-precipitation of trivalent and hexavalent chromium, separately, from samples of surface seawater, and determination of the chromi-... 

Brown and Bellinger [123] have proposed an ultraviolet technique that is applicable to both polluted and unpolluted fresh and some estuarine waters. Humic acid and other organics are removed on an ion exchange resin. Bromide interference in seawater samples can be minimised by suitable dilution of the sample but this raises the lower limit of detection such that only on relatively rich (0.5 mg/1 NO3N) estuarine and inshore waters could the method be used. Chloride at concentrations in excess of 10 000 mg/1 do not interfere. 

Van den Berg [131] used this technique to determine nanomolar levels of nitrate in seawater. Samples of seawater from the Menai Straits were filtered and nitrite present reacted with sulfanilamide and naphthyl-amine at pH 2.5. The pH was then adjusted to 8.4 with borate buffer, the solution de-aerated, and then subjected to absorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry. The concentration of dye was linearly related to the height of the reduction peak in the range 0.3-200 nM nitrate. The optimal concentrations of sulfanilamide and naphthyl-amine were 2 mM and 0.1 mM, respectively, at pH 2.5. The standard deviation of a determination of 4 nM nitrite was 2%. The detection was 0.3 nM for an adsorption time of 60 sec. The sensitivity of the method in seawater was the same as in fresh water. 

Isaeva [181] described a phosphomolybdate method for the determination of phosphate in turbid seawater. Molybdenum titration methods are subject to extensive interferences and are not considered to be reliable when compared with more recently developed methods based on solvent extraction [182-187], such as solvent-extraction spectrophotometric determination of phosphate using molybdate and malachite green [188]. In this method the ion pair formed between malachite green and phosphomolybdate is extracted from the seawater sample with an organic solvent. This extraction achieves a useful 20-fold increase in the concentration of the phosphate in the extract. The detection limit is about 0.1 ig/l, standard deviation 0.05 ng-1 (4.3 xg/l in tap water), and relative standard deviation 1.1%. Most cations and anions found in non-saline waters do not interfere, but arsenic (V) causes large positive errors. 

A commonly used procedure for the determination of phosphate in seawater and estuarine waters uses the formation of the molybdenum blue complex at 35-40 °C in an autoanalyser and spectrophotometric evaluation of the resulting colour. Unfortunately, when applied to seawater samples, depending on the chloride content of the sample, peak distortion or even negative peaks occur which make it impossible to obtain reliable phosphate values (Fig. 2.7). This effect can be overcome by the replacement of the distilled water-wash solution used in such methods by a solution of sodium chloride of an appropriate concentration related to the chloride concentration of the sample. The chloride content of the wash solution need not be exactly equal to that of the sample. For chloride contents in the sample up to 18 000 mg/1 (i.e., seawater),... 

Eberlein and Kattner [194] described an automated method for the determination of orthophosphate and total dissolved phosphorus in the marine environment. Separate aliquots of filtered seawater samples were used for the determination orthophosphate and total dissolved phosphorus in the concentration range 0.01-5 xg/l phosphorus. The digestion mixture for total dissolved phosphorus consisted of sodium hydroxide (1.5 g), potassium peroxidisulfate (5 g) and boric acid (3 g) dissolved in doubly distilled water (100 ml). Seawater samples (50 ml) were mixed with the digestion reagent, heated under pressure at 115-120 °C for 2 h, cooled, and stored before determination in the autoanalyser system. For total phosphorus, extra ascorbic acid was added to the aerosol water of the autoanalyser manifold before the reagents used for the molybdenum blue reaction were added. For measurement of orthophosphate, a phosphate working reagent composed of sulfuric acid, ammonium molyb-... 

Neill et al. [22] have described a headspace gas chromatographic method for the determination of carbon dioxide (fugacity) in seawater. This method requires a small water sample (60 ml), and provides for rapid analysis (2 min). 

Howard [27] determined dissolved aluminium in seawater by the micelle-enhanced fluorescence of its lumogallion complex. Several surfactants (to enhance fluorescence and minimise interferences), used for the determination of aluminium at very low concentrations (below 0.5 pg/1) in seawaters, were compared. The surfactants tested in preliminary studies were anionic (sodium lauryl sulfate), non-ionic (Triton X-100, Nonidet P42, NOPCO, and Tergital XD), and cationic (cetyltrimethylammonium bromide). Based on the degree of fluorescence enhancement and ease of use, Triton X-100 was selected for further study. Sample solutions (25 ml) in polyethylene bottles were mixed with acetate buffer (pH 4.7, 2 ml) lumogallion solution (0.02%, 0.3 ml) and 1,10-phenanthroline (1.0 ml to mask interferences from iron). Samples were heated to 80 °C for 1.5 h, cooled, and shaken with neat surfactant (0.15 ml) before fluorescence measurements were made. This procedure had a detection limit at the 0.02 pg/1 level. The method was independent of salinity and could therefore be used for both freshwater and seawater samples. 

Salgado Ordonez et al. [28] used di-2-pyridylketone 2-furoyl-hydrazone as a reagent for the fluorometric determination of down to 0.2 pg aluminium in seawater. A buffer solution at pH 6.3, and 1 ml of the reagent solution were added to the samples containing between 0.25 to 2.50 pg aluminium. Fluorescence was measured at 465 nm, and the aluminium in the sample determined either from a calibration graph prepared under the same conditions or a standard addition procedure. Aluminium could be determined in the 10-100 pg/1 range. The method was satisfactorily applied to spiked and natural seawater samples. 

To overcome the suppression effect of amines in the determination of ammonia, Hampson [56] investigated the effect of nitrite ions added either as nitrite or as nitrous acid. Figure 5.2 indicates that very considerable suppression by nitrite does occur, although it is not as strong as with any of the amines. Again, it is not great so long as the nitrite N concentration is less than the ammonia N concentration, but rapidly increases as the nitrite concentration exceeds the ammonia concentration. In fact, the nitrite modified method was found to be satisfactory in open seawater samples and polluted estuary waters. 

Sturgeon et al. [59] have described a hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry method for the determination of antimony in seawater. The method uses formation of stibene using sodium borohydride. Stibine gas was trapped on the surface of a pyrolytic graphite coated tube at 250 °C and antimony determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. An absolute detection limit of 0.2 ng was obtained and a concentration detection limit of 0.04 pg/1 obtained for 5 ml sample volumes. 

Bishop [75] determined barium in seawater by direct injection Zeeman-modulated graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The V203/Si modifier added to undiluted seawater samples promotes injection, sample drying, graphite tube life, and the elimination of most seawater components in a slow char at 1150-1200 °C. Atomisation is at 2600 °C. Detection is at 553.6 nm and calibration is by peak area. Sensitivity is 0.8 absorbance s/ng (Mo = 5.6 pg 0.0044 absorbance s) at an internal argon flow of 60 ml/min. The detection limit is 2.5 pg barium in a 25 ml sample or 0.5 pg using a 135 ml sample. Precision is 1.2% and accuracy is 23% for natural seawater (5.6-28 xg/l). The method works well in organic-rich seawater matrices and sediment porewaters. 

Marcantoncetos et al. [112] have described a phosphorimetric method for the determination of traces of boron in seawater. This method is based on the observation that in the glass formed by ethyl ether containing 8% of sulfuric acid at 77 K, boric acid gives luminescent complexes with dibenzoylmethane. A 0.5 ml sample is diluted with 10 ml 96% sulfuric acid, and to 0.05-0.3 ml of this solution 0.1ml 0.04 M dibenzoylmethane in 96% sulfuric acid is added. The solution is diluted to 0.4 ml with 96% sulfuric acid, heated at 70 °C for 1 h, cooled, ethyl ether added in small portions to give a total volume of 5 ml, and the emission measured at 77 K at 508 nm, with excitation at 402 nm. At the level of 22 ng boron per ml, hundredfold excesses of 33 ionic species give errors of less than 10%. However, tungsten and molybdenum both interfere. 

In similar work, Sturgeon et al. [125] compared direct furnace methods with extraction methods for cadmium in coastal seawater samples. They could measure cadmium down to 0.1 pg/1. They used 10 pg/1 ascorbic acid as a matrix modifier. Various organic matrix modifiers were studied by Guevremont [116] for this analysis. He found citric acid to be somewhat preferable to EDTA, aspartic acid, lactic acid, and histidine. The method of standard additions was required. The standard deviation was better than 0.01 pg/1 in a seawater sample containing 0.07 pg/1. Generally, he charred at 300 °C and atomised at 1500 °C. This method required compromise between char and atomisation temperatures, sensitivity, heating rates, and so on, but the analytical results seemed precise and accurate. Nitrate added as sodium nitrate delayed the cadmium peak and suppressed the cadmium signal. 

Pruszkowska et al. [135] described a simple and direct method for the determination of cadmium in coastal water utilizing a platform graphite furnace and Zeeman background correction. The furnace conditions are summarised in Table 5.1. These workers obtained a detection limit of 0.013 pg/1 in 12 pi samples, or about 0.16 pg cadmium in the coastal seawater sample. The characteristic integrated amount was 0.35 pg cadmium per 0.0044 A s. A matrix modifier containing di-ammonium hydrogen phosphate and nitric acid was used. Concentrations of cadmium in coastal seawater were calculated directly from a calibration curve. Standards contained sodium chloride and the same matrix modifier as the samples. No interference from the matrix was observed. 

Potentiometric stripping analysis has been applied by Sheffrin and Williams [320] to the measurement of copper in seawater at environmental pH. The advantage of this technique is that it can be used to specifically measure the biologically active labile copper species in seawater samples at desired pH values. The method was applied to seawater samples that had passed a 0.45 pm Millipore filter. Samples were studied both at high and at low pH values. 

In this method, inorganic lead in seawater samples are converted to tetra-ethylead using sodium tetraethylboron (NaB(C2H5)4) which is then trapped in a graphite furnace at 400 °C. Quantitation is achieved by using a simple calibration graph prepared from aqueous standards. An absolute detection limit of (3relative standard deviation. 

The theoretical yield of the method is less than 100%, as only 80 - 90% of the aqueous phase is removed after back-extraction. The actual yield obtained by 54 Mn counting was 69.5 7.8%, and this can be allowed for in the calculation of results. Environmental Protection Agency standard seawater samples of known manganese content (4370 ng/1) gave good manganese recoveries (4260 ng/1). 

Hidalgo et al. [509] reported a method for the determination of molybdenum (VI) in natural waters based on differential pulse polarography. The catalytic wave caused by molybdenum (VI) in nitrate medium following preconcentration by coflotation on ferric hydroxide was measured. For seawater samples, hexadecyltrimethylammomum bromide with octadecylamine was used as the surfactant. The method was applied to molybdenum in the range 0.7-5.7 Xg/l. 

Willie et al. [508] used Unear sweep voltammetry for the determination of molybdenum. The molybdenum was adsorbed as the Eriochrome Blue Black R complex on a static mercury drop electrode. The method was reported to have a limit of detection of 0.50 xg/l and the results agreed well with certified values for two reference seawater samples. 

Platinum was determined in seawater by adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry in a method described by Van den Berg and Jacinto [531]. The formazone complex is formed with formaldehyde, hydrazine, and sulfuric acid in the seawater sample. The complex is adsorbed for 20 minutes at -0.925 V on the hanging mercury drop electrode. The detection limit is 0.04 pM platinum. 

A method described by Hirata and Honda [618] uses a flow injection analysis manifold for pH adjustment of a seawater sample, followed by concentration of zinc on a column packed with Chelex 100 resin. The zinc was eluted with nitric acid and determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. The detection limit is 0.5 p,g/l and the relative standard deviation is 2.7% at the 10 ig/l level. 

Atienza et al. [657] reviewed the applications of flow injection analysis coupled to spectrophotometry in the analysis of seawater. The method is based on the differing reaction rates of the metal complexes with 1,2-diaminocycl-ohexane-N, N, N, A/Metra-acetate at 25 °C. A slight excess of EDTA is added to the sample solution, the pH is adjusted to ensure complete formation of the complexes, and a large excess of 0.3 mM to 6 mM-Pb2+ in 0.5 M sodium acetate is then added. The rate of appearance of the Pbn-EDTA complex is followed spectrophotometrically, 3 to 6 stopped-flow reactions being run in succession. Because each of the alkaline-earth-metal complexes reacts at a different rate, variations of the time-scan indicates which ions are present. 

Bruland et al. [122] have shown that seawater samples collected by a variety of clean sampling techniques yielded consistent results for copper, cadmium, zinc, and nickel, which implies that representative uncontaminated samples were obtained. A dithiocarbamate extraction method coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry and flameless graphite furnace electrothermal atomisation is described which is essentially 100% quantitative for each of the four metals studied, has lower blanks and detection Emits, and yields better precision than previously published techniques. A more precise and accurate determination of these metals in seawater at their natural ng/1 concentration levels is therefore possible. Samples analysed by this procedure and by concentration on Chelex 100 showed similar results for cadmium and zinc. Both copper and nickel appeared to be inefficiently removed from seawater by Chelex 100. Comparison of the organic extraction results with other pertinent investigations showed excellent agreement. 

Berman et al. [735] have shown that if a seawater sample is subjected to 20-fold preconcentration by one of the above techniques, then reliable analysis can be performed by ICP-AES (i.e., concentration of the element in seawater is more than five times the detection limit of the method) for iron, manganese, zinc, copper, and nickel. Lead, cobalt, cadmium, chromium, and arsenic are below the detection limit and cannot be determined reliably by ICP-AES. These latter elements would need at least a hundredfold preconcentration before they could be reliably determined. 

Nygaard et al. [752] compared two methods for the determination of cadmium, lead, and copper in seawater. One method employs anodic stripping voltammetry at controlled pH (8.1,5.3 and 2.0) the other involves sample pretreatment with Chelex 100 resin before ASV analysis. Differences in the results are discussed in terms of the definition of available metal and differences in the analytical methods. 

Jagner et al. [802] used this technique to determine zinc, cadmium, lead, and copper in seawater. Their method includes computer control of the potentiometric stripping technique. They compared their results with those obtained by solvent extraction-AAS and showed that the computer-controlled potentiometric stripping technique is more sensitive, and has advantages over ASV. Computer control makes deoxygenation of the sample unnecessary. 

In order to evaluate the precision of this method, replicate analyses were carried out by Lee et al. [627] using the proposed procedure, for trace elements in a seawater sample taken from the Kwangyang Bay (Korea). The results showed satisfactory precision ranging from 0.2 xg/l for cadmium to 250 xg/l for iron. 

Wu and Boyle [837] have developed a method using magnesium hydroxide coprecipitation and isotopic dilution mass spectrometry to determine lead, copper, and cadmium in 1 ml seawater samples, with detection limits of 1,40, and 5 pM, respectively. 

Burnett and Tai Wei-Chieh [15] used a liquid scintillation to determine radium radionucleides in seawater. The method was applied in the 7-35 dpm 100 kg-1-range using 1 litre samples. 

Key et al. [27] have described improved methods for the measurement of radon and radium in seawater and marine sediments using manganese dioxide impregnated fibres. The basic method that these workers used was that of Broecker [28]. Seawater samples were taken in 30 litre Niskin bottles. 

Silant ev et al. [94] have described a procedure for the determination of 90strontium in small volumes of seawater. This method is based on the determination of the daughter isotope 90yttrium. The sample is acidified with... 

Bhat et al. [199] used complexation with the bis(ethylenediamine) copper (II) cation as the basis of a method for estimating anionic surfactants in fresh estuarine and seawater samples. The complex is extracted into chloroform, and copper is measured spectrophotometrically in the extract using l,2(pyridyl azo)-2-naphthol. Using the same extraction system these workers were able to improve the detection limit of the method to 5 pg/1 (as linear alkyl sulfonic acid) in fresh estuarine and seawater samples. 

---