Bernhard Michalke

Coupling of capillary electrophoresis with ICP-MS for speciation investigations

Abstract An online hyphenation of capillary electrophoresis (CE) with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is developed, using a homemade nebulizer as the interface. The high resolution power of CE is used for the separation of metal species, whereas ICP-MS is taken for element specific detection with low detection limits. Metal species of standard solutions and real samples are separated and monitored by UV and ICP-MS. After optimization, electropherograms with high resolution were obtained, showing low detection limits around 1 μg/L (e.g. Pt-species) and very high resolution. Typical analysis times were below 22 min. Quality control aspects concerned species stability during the analytical procedure and stability of electrical current during nebulization. A possible interfering suction flow was estimated and found to be negligible.

Studies on Speciation of Antimony in Soil Contaminated by Industrial Activity

Abstract Antimony is a toxic trace element of growing environmental interest due to its increased anthropogenic input into the environment. Very little is known about the chemical and biological behavior of antimony compounds in soils and sediments. Three soil samples with substantially elevated Sb concentrations (area contaminated by extensive industrial use of Sb compounds), and a soil standard reference material have been analyzed by using conventional single and sequential extraction procedures in order to get information about the chemical forms and availability of Sb in the soil. The antimony concentrations in the extraction solutions were determined by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Additionally, Sb(III) and Sb(V) were determined in some extracts by using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled on-line to the ICP-MS (HPLC-ICP-MS). The total Sb concentrations were in the upper mg kg−1 range, but only small amounts were found to be easily available from the soils. The m...

Transformation behaviour of different platinum compounds in a clay-like humic soil: speciation investigations

Synthetic platinum compounds with different oxidation stages and a platinum containing tunnel dust, used as a natural sample, were added to a clay-like humic soil. Possible chemical and physical interactions with the soil were investigated. Oxidation of finely dispersed metallic platinum in the soil was studied by eluting platinum species with different polar solvents and complexing agents. Due to its ultrafine dispersion and nanocrystalline particle size, the platinum present in the tunnel dust was oxidised in the soil to a higher degree than the model compound platinum black. K2PtCl4 and Na2PtCl6 ∗ 6H2O showed strong adsorption in the soil by recomplexation into almost insoluble species. Differences in the transformation reactions between native and artificial platinum compounds are described.

Application of capillary zone electrophoresis–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and capillary isoelectric focusing–inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for selenium speciation

The high resolution potential of capillary electrophoresis (CE) makes CE techniques valuable for separations of selenium species, both, organic and inorganic. Such effective separations of charged species are possible using the CZE mode (Z = zone). Very powerful separations can be achieved by capillary isoelectric focusing, when analysing molecules showing different isoelectric points (pI) values, such as organic Se species. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) MS is an element-specific multi-element detector, providing extremely low detection limits. The combination of CE with ICP-MS promises a powerful tool for metal speciation. Therefore, an online hyphenation of CE [using capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) or capillary isoelectric focusing (cITP) model] with ICP-MS, which was developed earlier, was modified and applied to selenium speciation. Separation was differentiated from the detection step during hyphenation. This resulted in short separation times (10 min) and a subsequent detection step lasting 100 s. Firstly, a CZE method was applied, providing a separation of six Se species of interest in one run [Se(IV), Se(VI), selenium carrying glutathione (GSSeSG), selenomethionine (SeM), selenocystine (SeC), selenocystamine (SeCM)]. This CZE method used an alkaline background electrolyte (Na2CO3/NaOH). The Se species were separated sufficiently from each other. Detection limits were calculated as 10 or 20 micrograms Se l-1 for inorganic Se species and 30-50 micrograms Se l-1 for organic Se species. The method was applied to standard mixtures and body fluids like human milk and serum. Secondly, a cIEF separation (pH range 2-10) was employed for organic Se species only in parallel. Detection limits were around 10-30 micrograms Se l-1. The method was applied to standard mixtures and body fluids like human milk and serum.

Speciation and toxicological relevance of manganese in humans

Although manganese is an essential trace element, concerns are rising about the Mn exposure of humans being related to neurotoxic effects. This review summarizes several aspects of this topic to provide updated information on Mn related investigations, including chemical speciation of Mn-compounds. The paper starts with some chemical aspects of Mn and its compounds, enlightening oxidation states in general and in biological matrices. This is followed by considerations on natural sources of human exposure, on occupational sources and on anthropogenically caused environmental sources, for example from the use of methylcyclopentadienyl manganese tricarbonyl (MMT). Next, the paper deals with Mn levels in the human organism, showing normal Mn concentrations in various tissues or body fluids, and continues with the toxicology of Mn, i.e. absorption, distribution and excretion. Of specific concern is the transfer of Mn to the brain which is the relevant neurotoxic target. In this context, parallels and differences between primary and Mn-dependent Parkinsonism are discussed, concluding with a risk assessment and a consideration of susceptible groups. The main part of this review focuses on recent investigations on Mn speciation. Analytical problems and their solutions are also described for correct identification of relevant Mn-compounds in matrices of human origin. Finally, future needs are discussed, such as further investigations on those Mn-species which may overcome neural barrier control, on disease-modulated barrier control, on susceptibility to certain Mn-species, and on the interaction of Mn with Fe-homeostasis in the brain.

Hyphenation of capillary electrophoresis to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry as an element-specific detection method for metal speciation

A stepwise development for the use of capillary electrophoresis and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) for speciation investigations is presented. The high resolution power of CE is used for the separation of metal species, whereas ICP-MS is taken for element-specific detection with low detection limits. This contribution starts with an off-line combination of both instruments. Separation and identification of species in model solutions and real samples are shown by scanning UV detection at the CE unit with subsequent metal quantification in peak related fractions, applying electrothermal vaporization ICP-MS. Finally, first separations are demonstrated, using the on-line hyphenation with a laboratory-made nebulizer. Here, standard solutions are separated and monitored by UV and ICP-MS. Stability of electrical current during nebulization was checked and a possibly interfering suction flow was estimated. After optimization sufficient electropherograms were obtained. Advantages and problems are discussed for both modes.

Iodine speciation in biological samples by capillary electrophoresis ‐ inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

A hyphenation of capillary electrophoresis (CE) to inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‐MS) was employed for the speciation of iodine. The separation method used a buffer sandwich of phosphate (pH 2.3), NaOH, sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) and borate buffer (pH 8.3) for stacking, aiming at sufficient separation of iodide, iodate, thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3). These four iodine species were separated within 15 min and subsequently detected during a pressure‐driven detection step (baseline‐separated) at 19.5, 29.1, 36.6 and 42.2 s. The detection limits were determined at 0.08 μg I/L (iodide), 0.3 μg I/L (iodate), 3.5 μg I/L (thyroxine) and 2.5 μg I/L (triiodothyronine). This method was applied on iodine speciation in human serum (“healthy” and after thyroid gland operation) and urine. The serum from the healthy person contained iodide (13 μg I/L), T4 (61 μg I/L) and T3 (7.5 μg I/L), whereas the serum from the thyroid‐operated person lacked T3. As no “free” I‐hormones are known in serum, the role of the thyroid hormone binding globulin (TBG) was investigated. We found that spiked T4 or T3 immediately bound to TBG. Investigations on human urine showed only a peak for iodide.

Antimony speciation in environmental samples by interfacing capillary electrophoresis on-line to an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer

Antimony is a widely distributed trace element of ecotoxicological interest. A pathway via bioalkylation of inorganic Sb species is discussed in the literature, resulting in organically bound Sb species. Therefore, Sb speciation becomes increasingly a matter of interest for risk assessment in the environment. This contribution investigates the possibilities of CE on-line hyphenated to ICP-MS for Sb speciation. Two methods are employed, both highly resolving the species but only one preserving the species stability. The latter used Na2HPO4/NaH2PO4, 20 mM, pH 5.6 as the background electrolyte and NaOH or acetic acid as stacking electrolyte 1 or stacking electrolyte 2, respectively. Detection limits of 0.1 microgram/1-0.7 microgram/1, depending on species, were achieved. When analysing liquid phases from fouling and sewage sludge up to eight antimony species were detected. Sb (V) as well as methylated Sb species were found.

Method developments for iodine speciation by reversed-phase liquid chromatography-ICP-mass spectrometry.

Method developments are described for a iodine speciation method. This method is based on a reversed-phase liquid chromatography separation combined with inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry detection. Investigations are performed concerning the methanol tolerance/stability of inductively coupled plasma, post-column oxidation/volatilization of iodine from species, influences of buffer pH, and column temperature on separation efficiency. The experiments focused on six iodine species, namely iodine, mono-iodothyrosine, di-iodothyrosine, tri-iodothyronine, reversed tri-iodothyronine, and thyroxin. Detection limits were determined between 0.08 and 1.5 µg/L (iodine related), dependent on species. Appplications on a urine sample were performed, showing iodide as the predominant iodine species.

Speciation of Pt(II) and Pt(IV) in spiked extracts from road dust using on-line liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

The emission of platinum from automobile catalytic exhaust converters is well known and the accumulation of Pt in road dust has been studied by the analysis of total Pt contents. However, there are few studies on the speciation of the emitted Pt-compounds in the environment. A separation method with HPLC-UV has been developed by Nachtigall et al. [Chromatogr. A 775 (1997) 197] with aqueous standards of Pt(II)- and Pt(IV)-chloro complexes. Due to the limited selectivity and sensitivity of the UV-detection this method is not suitable for Pt-speciation in road dust extracts. Therefore, in this study the method of Nachtigall et al. was modified to realize an on-line coupling to ICP-MS with the advantage of Pt-specific detection. Calibration was performed with aqueous standards and spiked road dust extracts. Calibration curves were linear with low residual standard deviation (1.3-3.1% for the aqueous standards) and approximately 10-times lower detection limits compared to the HPLC-UV-method. Moreover, the stability of the model species was investigated using isocratic as well as gradient separation. Isotopic ratios of 194Pt, 195Pt, 196Pt and 198Pt were determined for quality control. A new mathematical correction method for the HfO-interference on the 195Pt-signal was developed. Additionally, the elution pattern of further elements in the road dust extracts was monitored and total element contents were determined in unspiked road dust extracts.