Automated Systems with Fluorescence Detection for Metal Determination: A Review

Area of Science:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Environmental Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Industrialization has increased environmental pollution by hazardous chemicals, particularly metals.
• Accurate determination of metals is crucial for public safety and environmental monitoring.
• Automation in analytical methods offers faster, more sensitive, and safer analysis.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review automated analytical methods with fluorescent detection for metal determination developed since 2000.
• To identify predominant techniques and detection systems in metal analysis.
• To assess the performance and advantages of automated methods over manual systems.

Main Methods:

• Review of scientific literature published since 2000 on automated metal determination.
• Focus on methods employing fluorescent detection.
• Categorization of techniques including flow-injection analysis (FIA), sequential injection analysis (SIA), and chromatography-based methods.
• Comparison of preconcentration strategies (solid-phase vs. liquid-phase) and detector types (atomic vs. molecular fluorescence).

Main Results:

• Flow-injection analysis (FIA), particularly with solid-phase preconcentration, is the predominant technique.
• FIA systems are more widespread than sequential injection analysis (SIA) systems.
• Chromatography-based methods are also significantly utilized.
• Atomic fluorescence detectors are more prevalent than molecular fluorescence detectors.
• Most reviewed methods exhibit excellent figures of merit and performance characteristics.

Conclusions:

• Automated fluorescent detection methods provide superior performance for metal determination compared to manual systems.
• FIA and chromatography-based techniques, coupled with atomic fluorescence detection, are key advancements in environmental metal analysis.
• The trend towards automation enhances analytical efficiency, sensitivity, and analyst safety.