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Updated: Jun 28, 2025
10:44
Clean Sampling and Analysis of River and Estuarine Waters for Trace Metal Studies
Published on: July 1, 2016
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Resolving Uncertainties in the Quantification of Trace Elements within Organic-Rich Boreal Rivers for AF4-UV-ICP-MS
Yu Wang1, Chad W Cuss1,2, Lei Pei1
1Department of Renewable Resources, University of Alberta, Edmonton AB T6G 2H1, Canada.
Analytical Chemistry
|April 23, 2024
Summary
Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) can lead to trace element loss and contamination. Preconditioning the AF4 system with Suwannee River Natural Organic Matter mitigates these artifacts in complex water samples.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Separation Science
Background:
- Asymmetric flow field-flow fractionation (AF4) is a key technique for separating trace elements (TEs) associated with colloids in water.
- Understanding and controlling artifacts is crucial for accurate TE measurements at low concentrations using AF4-UV-ICP-MS.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate potential artifacts in AF4-UV-ICP-MS analysis of colloid-associated TEs in boreal river water.
- To identify sources of TE loss and contamination, and to develop strategies for artifact mitigation.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of boreal river water using AF4-UV-ICP-MS.
- Evaluation of TE adsorption onto non-channel surfaces and membrane contamination.
- Assessment of colloid-driven carryover and contaminant removal.
- Testing preconditioning strategies with Suwannee River Natural Organic Matter (SRNOM).
Main Results:
- Adsorption of Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb onto non-channel surfaces caused up to 48% TE loss.
- Cross-contamination of Co, Ni, Cu, and Pb was observed from non-channel surfaces.
- Uncleaned membranes introduced Ni and Cu contamination.
- Colloids can cause analytical bias through carryover but also remove contaminants.
Conclusions:
- Instrumental artifacts, including TE loss and contamination, are significant in AF4-UV-ICP-MS analysis of complex waters.
- Preconditioning the AF4 system with SRNOM is recommended to reduce membrane fouling and carryover.
- A comprehensive strategy is presented to minimize instrumental artifacts for accurate TE measurements.
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