Asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation-multidetection coupling for assessing colloidal copper in drain waters from...

The objective of this study was to show that on-line asymmetric flow-field flow fractionation (AFFFF)-multidetection coupling is useful for studying environmental colloids in a qualitative and quantitative way. The utility of the technique was illustrated by assessing the colloidal fraction of the copper that was extracted from the soil, transferred to an aqueous phase and then transported by drain waters in a wine-growing area. To determine the size and composition of the colloids, AFFFF was coupled to UV, multi-angle light scattering and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detectors. Colloidal copper represents between 20 and 60% of the total copper in the sub 450 nm of drain waters. Copper is mainly associated with organic-rich colloids with a size below 10 nm. It is also found in organo-mineral populations (as clay or (oxy)hydroxides), with sizes ranging between 10 and 450 nm.