Jean C. Meranger

Determination of arsenic(III), arsenic(V), antimony(III), antimony(V), selenium(IV) and selenium(VI) by extraction with ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate—methyl isobutyl ketone and electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract The solution conditions and other parameters affecting the ammonium pyrrolidine-dithiocarbamate—methyl isobutyl ketone extraction system for graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrometric determination of As(III), As(V), Sb(III), Sb(V), Se(IV) and Se(VI) were studied in detail. The solution conditions for the single or simultaneous extraction of As(III), Sb(III) and Se(IV) were not critical. Arsenic(V) and Se(VI) were not extracted over the entire range of pH and acidity studied. Antimony(V) was extracted only in the acidity range 0.3—1.0 M HCl. Simultaneous extraction of total arsenic and total antimony was possible after reduction of As(V) with thiosulphate. Interference studies are also reported.

Ammonium Pyrrolidinedithio-carbamate-Methyl Isobutyl ketone-Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption System for Some Trace Metas in Drinking Water

Abstract A critical study of the solution conditions and other parameters affecting the reliability of the ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate-methyl isobutyl ketone (APDC-MIBK) extraction system for Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mn, Ni, and Pb was made. The following parameters were investigated in detail: pH of the aqueous phase prior to extraction, amount of APDC added to the solution following pH adjustment, the length of time needed for complete extraction and the time-stability of the chelate in the organic phase. Except for Ag and Cr which were quantitatively extracted only in a very narrow pH range (1.0-2.0 and 1.8-3.0, respectively), and Cd and Pb which were stable in the extracted MIBK phase only for 2-3 hrs, the solution conditions for quantitative extraction were not critical for the other metals. Simultaneous extraction of all the metals except Cd and Pb was also investigated, Good recoveries (100±10%) were obtained for a number of spiked raw, treated and distributed drinking water samples covering...

Preconcentration of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead in drinking water on the polyacrylic ester resin, XAD-7.

The conditions (e.g. pH, resin, particle size, foreign ions) affecting the uptake of Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II) and Pb(II) from aqueous solution by the SM-7 (also called XAD-7) resin, were studied. Based on these studies, a two-column method was developed to overcome the effect of complexation by humic substances. The method was successfully tested with the NBS multielement water standard, SRM 1643a, and was subsequently applied to enrich Cd(II), Cr(III), Cu(II) and Pb(II) in 15 drinking water samples from Hamilton, Ontario. The metals were determined using graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry. The results for the drinking water samples showed that leaching of copper and lead occurred from the distribution system.

Bone-lead analysis: development of analytical methodology for milligram samples.

A graphite platform-in-furnace atomic absorption spectrometric (GFAAS) method for determining μg/g levels of Pb in 10–20 mg cortical and trabecular primate bone samples is described. The GFAAS method is based on an ambient temperature nitric acid digestion of the sample, matrix modification with palladium nitrate, stabilized temperature platform furnace atomization, and a systematic evaluation of the temperature program of the atomizer. The method of standard additions is mandatory. The detection limit (3 standard deviations of the blank) is 0.19 μg Pb/g dry weight for a 10-mg sample taken up in a 1-mL volume. Data are presented on the degree of accuracy and precision. The accuracy of the proposed GFAAS method has been assessed using the IAEA bone reference material, H-5, and by comparing the values obtained in a bone sample with an isotope dilution mass spectrometric (IDMS) procedure. The GFAAS method can be applied to the determination of Pb in 10–20 mg bone samples and for concentrations which are ≥10 × detection limit. The method is simple, fast, and contamination-free since the entire operation from weighing to GFAAS measurement is carried out in the same centrifuge tube. The method has been applied to the determination of total-Pb in some adult and fetal primate cortical and trabecular bone specimens.

Determination of Arsenic (III, V, Total) in Polluted Waters by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrometry and Anodic Stripping Voltammetry

Abstract An ammonium pyrrolidinedithiocarbamate-methyl isobutyl ketone-electrothermal atomic absorption spectrophotometric (APDC-MIBK-ETA) procedure and a toluene extraction-anodic stripping voltammetric (ASV) procedure were applied for the determination of As (III, V, Total) in some polluted waters. The total arsenic content of these water samples was also determined using the direct ETA and the nickel-matrix modification-ETA methods. There was good agreement among the various methods on the total arsenic content of the water samples. Neither the container material (Pyrex glass or linear polyethylene), nor filtration, nor preservation with 1% HC1 had any significant effect on the total arsenic concentration of the polluted river water and mine leachate samples studied. Also, no As(III) could be detected in the samples.

Lake Water Acidity and the Quality of Pumped Cottage Water in Selected Areas of Northern Ontario

Abstract Studies of the effects of standing time on the leaching of metals from the plumbing systems of cottages on three acid-rain sensitive lakes (Dickie Lake, Lake of Bays and Heeney Lake) have been carried out from August to September 1981. Passage of the lake waters through the plumbing system results in increases in pH, alkalinity and the concentrations of the metals measured: Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn. The maximum rate of leaching of metals occurred in the first 2 hours of contact time, although levels continue to rise up to 10 days. The range of leaching rates observed in (μg/l/hour) was (35–840), (14–21) and (7–254) for Cu, Pb and Zn respectively. The concentrations of Pb and Cu were closely related to the contact time and rose to or exceeded the maximum acceptable concentration “as recommended in the 1978 Canadian Drinking Water Guidelines” in the first liter of water drawn from the tap after 2 to 12 hours contact time. The maximum levels were observed in 10 day static samples where levels of 4,560 μg/l...

On-site Sampling with Preconcentration for the Determination of Some Chelex-Labile Trace Metals in Drinking Water

Abstract An on-site pump-integrated water sampler-preconcentration device is described. The preconcentration of trace metals is effected using the Chelex-100 chelating cation exchange resin. Preliminary studies showed this on-site device to be satisfactory for the monitoring of Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn in drinking water samples.

Recent advances in SO2, NOx, and O3 personal monitoring

Abstract Since the air pollution as measured by stationary monitoring stations is a poor indicator of the population exposure, personal monitors are indispensible to health effects studies. This article reviews the current research on the development of personal monitors. Although most of the analytical methods reviewed in this study appear to be sensitive to the levels of the target pollutants NO 2 , SO 2 , and O 3 generally encountered in indoor and outdoor air, they lack the desired performance characteristics for a personal monitoring device, such as user safety and ease of operation, weight, and maintenance. Electrochemical transducers/sensors, which have not yet been exploited, are attractive candidates for the application to personal monitoring. This technique has an added feature of generating real-time measurements. A few research models and commercially attractive devices that can be used in field studies are included.

Use of an on site integrated pump sampler for estimation of total daily intake of some metals from tap water

Abstract An on-site pump-integrated water sampler-preconcentration device combined with a pressure sensitive switch to allow sampling of water from kitchen taps as a direct function of use is described. The sampler was used in the analysis of 18 tap water samples in the Montreal Metropolitan area for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn during six days of normal use. The sampler-preconcentration device has the potential for giving a more accurate estimate of the total daily intake of the above metals from drinking water.