Great Fear of Small Amounts of Elements—The Significance of Analytical Chemistry in our Modern Industrialized Community as Exemplified by Trace Element Analysis

Abstract

Analytical chemistry is consolidating an important position within the framework of our modern industrial community; the frontiers of trace (and ultra-trace) analysis have expanded into new territories, thus demanding a constant change in our mode of thinking in a substance-related manner in analytical chemistry. An outline of the development of analytical chemistry during this century reveals a period of underdeveloped research and education followed by a current phase of impetuous advancement. However, as a result of increasingly antagonistic sectional convictions in the public mind concerning reservations against, as well as efforts towards, efficient technological progress, this advancement evokes new existential risks for analytical chemistry-viz. either to be used in an uncritical way or to fall into discredit following slogans like 'high-performance analytical chemistry is to blame for it all!' A much more constructive consideration says that risks can be estimated and evaluated solely by means of a highly efficient analytical chemistry, when used with a sense of responsibility. Analysts may help to clarify and to cope with the increasing fear of decreasingly smaller amounts of trace elements-in both adverse groups in our community. Strategies necessary to gain this end are outlined with regard to a methodological as well as a political platform. Angew Chem. In/. Ed. Enyl. 24 (1985) 485-4414 0 VCH Vrrlagsgesell.rchaJt mbH. 0-6940 Weinheini. 1985 0570-0833/85/0606-0485 $ 02.50/0 Angew. Chem. Int. Ed. Engl. 24 /19HS) 485-494 Anqew. Chem. Inr. Ed. Engl. 24 (1985) 485-494 4x7

Environmental significance of trace elements in the Athabasca Bituminous Sands: facts and misconceptions

“…As our analytical methods continue to improve, we need to also remind ourselves that, just because we can measure a given element in a sample, this does not imply any relevance of that element for biota. 90…”

“…Thus, in present day ultratrace analysis, it is more meaningful to keep the blank concentration as low as possible than to search for new and more sensitive detectors” (p. 489). 90 In 2014, for example, the average concentrations (ng L −1 ) in the dissolved fraction of the AR, collected at 14 stations, were 1.7 ± 0.3 Ag, 3.2 ± 0.4 Tl, 13 ± 2 Cd, 20 ± 7 Pb, 48 ± 7 Sb. 81 It should be added that these water samples were collected in the autumn, when the flow rate of the river is at its lowest, to maximize the chance to detect anthropogenic inputs.…”

“…In consequence, extreme precautions need to be taken in regard to acid cleaning of bottles, lters, and syringes before sampling, and great efforts are needed to minimize the risk of contamination during sample processing and analysis: the absolute necessity for these extreme precautions is described in detail elsewhere. 30,[83][84][85][86][87][88][89] As noted by Tölg and Garten (1985): 90 "since it is primarily the blank value that limits the power of detection, it must be remembered that it is the ratio of the concentration of the element to be determined in the sample to its concentration in the environment of the analytical system which is decisive rather than the sensitivity of the detector system itself. Thus, in present day ultratrace analysis, it is more meaningful to keep the blank concentration as low as possible than to search for new and more sensitive detectors" (p. 489).…”

“…Thus, in present day ultratrace analysis, it is more meaningful to keep the blank concentration as low as possible than to search for new and more sensitive detectors" (p. 489). 90 In 2014, for 81 It should be added that these water samples were collected in the autumn, when the ow rate of the river is at its lowest, to maximize the chance to detect anthropogenic inputs. Similar concentrations were found in the autumn of 2015 when water samples were collected in duplicate at 19 stations.…”

Chemophobia versus the identity of chemists: heroes of chemistry as an effective communication strategy

“…Do they realize that? Far from it-in reality the widespread aversion to chemistry, this "modern Inquisition" [10] prevails. Chemophobia-which we [11][12][13] define as a long-lasting and persistent irrational fear of chemistry and chemical substances and a strenuous effort to avoid them, causing people to become hypersensitive or even intolerant in this respect-takes its toll:…”