The use of ion chromatography-D.C. plasma atomic emission spectrometry for the speciation of trace metals. Final performance technical report, February 1, 1995--January 31, 1998

The chemistry of heavy metals in natural waters, industrial waste streams, and the environment is influenced by a number of factors including the prevailing matrix, their relative concentrations, and biologically or chemically induced transformations. Speciation, which entails the identification and quantification of all the forms of a metal or any other chemical entity present in a sample, is a necessary step in assessing the toxic and pollution effects and the overall impact of these entities on environmental systems. Analytical methods and protocols that can provide analytical data in the parts per billion concentration range and below are needed for these kinds of measurements. The thrust of this research was to develop metal speciation methods and techniques using direct current plasma (DCPAES) in combination with ion chromatography (IC), whereby the DCPAES serves as an element selective detector (ESD) for the metal species separated in the chromatographic column. While the metal speciation work carried out in this program has utilized the IC-DCPAES as the primary analytical measurement tool, other sample processing and preparation approaches have also been developed to enhance the effectiveness and capability of the chromatographic-element selective method of metal speciation. Post-column derivatization and solid phase extraction are two protocols which were incorporated with IC-ESD with significant improvements in the capability of the method