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A Novel and Simple Method for Elements Determination in Aerobiological Samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Analysis

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Abstract

The identification of heavy metals in the atmosphere has increased a strong and growing interest. Thereby, monitoring of elements in aerobiological samples could be a powerful tool for detection of environmental pollution. In this work, a simple and fast method for the determination of trace metals bound to aeroparticles such as pollen was optimized. A single-step procedure for the dissolution of aerobiological samples in nitric acid and further determination by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) with a high-efficiency sample introduction system was developed. The procedure involved low dilution and low detection limits with adequate precision and its direct introduction into the ICP-MS system. The novel method proposed was successfully applied to determine five elements in concentrations from 0.04 mg g−1 (U) to 14.1 mg g−1 (Mn) in aerobiological samples. Through this procedure, the most significant correlations between pollen of Cupressaceae, Ulmus, and Moraceae with Mn, and pollen of Moraceae with Pb were found. This methodology could be a very useful tool to assess air pollution. We are not only proposing a new strategy to analyze air samples particles but also giving new information of the elemental composition carried by pollen.

Development of elements determination in aerobiological samples based on the nitric acid dissolution and its direct introduction into the ICP-MS system

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Funding

This work received financial support from project PROICO 030716 (National University of San Luis, FCFMyN) and the Institute of Chemistry of San Luis (INQUISAL, UNSL-CONICET).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Área de Biología, Bloque I, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Avda. Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700, San Luis, Argentina

    Andrea C. Isaguirre & Marta M. Moglia

  2. Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Instituto de Química de San Luis, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, Bloque III, Avda. Ejército de los Andes 950, 5700, San Luis, Argentina

    Mario F. Moyano & Raúl A. Gil

Authors
  1. Andrea C. Isaguirre
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  2. Mario F. Moyano
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  3. Raúl A. Gil
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  4. Marta M. Moglia
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Correspondence to Marta M. Moglia.

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Highlights

• A novel and simple method for elements determination in aerobiological samples has been developed.

• We used ICP-MS to analyze aerobiological samples after acid dissolution.

• The procedure gives a fast, precise, accurate, and less expensive sample preparation in complex matrices.

• The method showed a positive association between the pollen contents and heavy metal concentration.

• The determination of heavy metals in aerobic particles is a powerful tool for detection of environmental pollution.

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Isaguirre, A.C., Moyano, M.F., Gil, R.A. et al. A Novel and Simple Method for Elements Determination in Aerobiological Samples by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) Analysis. Water Air Soil Pollut 231, 70 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-020-4416-2

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