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.

On-line detection of metal pollutant spikes in MSW incinerator flue gases prior to clean-up

“…Despite the advances in such techniques, none have been found to meet the quality requirements for regulatory endorsement (Lemieux et al, 1998;Woskov et al, 2000;Hill et al, 2002). Recent developments in end-of-pipe monitoring technologies have either been in laser or microwave induced plasma techniques (Hill et al, 2002;Buckley et al, 2000;Woskov et al, 2000), or in Argon-ICP-OES (Hassaine et al, 2001;Seltzer, 2000). Cooper (2004) is developing an end-of-pipe monitoring system based on XRD, but this will only make one measurement about every 20 min.…”

Phytoavailability of zirconium in relation to its initial added form and soil characteristics

“…Nowadays, the ICP-MS technique offers much lower detection limits for trace and ultra-trace elements analysis and can replace efficiently the constraining radiochemical techniques using alpha and beta emitters (Hill et al 2002). Zr concentrations were determined for all experiments by a quadrupole ICP-MS spectrometer with VG nebulizer (Varian ultramass).…”

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“…Glassware which was used included beaker, stirrer, test tubes, funnel. Other apparatus included thermostat and hotplate [5] (Figure 3).…”