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An assessment of sampling, preservation, and analytical procedures for arsenic speciation in potentially contaminated waters

Environmental Geochemistry and Health volume 29, pages 337–346 (2007)Cite this article

Abstract

This study was undertaken to ascertain optimal methods of sampling, preserving, separating, and analyzing arsenic species in potentially contaminated waters. Arsenic species are readily transformed in nature by slight changes in conditions. Each species has a different toxicity and mobility. The conventional field sampling method using filters of 0.45 μm in size could overestimate the dissolved arsenic concentrations, as passing suspended particles that can act as a sink or source of arsenic depending on the site condition. For arsenic species in neutral pH and iron-poor waters, the precipitation can be stable for up to 3 days without any treatment, but for longer periods, a preservative, such as phosphoric acid, is required. Also, the analytical procedure must be selected carefully because the levels and hydride generation efficiencies of arsenic in different species can vary, even for the same amount of arsenic. For arsenic speciation in samples that also include organic species, a hybrid high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) column and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) gave the best resolution and lowest detection limits. However, the procedure using a solid phase extraction (SPE) cartridge can be used economically and conveniently for analyzing samples containing only inorganic arsenic species, such as groundwater, especially that related to mine activity.

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Acknowledgement

This research is a part of the Ph.D. dissertation work of Youn-Tae Kim, Yonsei University. Financial support was provided by the research fund from the Korea Basic Science Institute (N26051) and the Korea Research Foundation (KRF-2005-C00081).

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Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth System Sciences, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

    Youn-Tae Kim & Nam-Chil Woo

  2. Korea Basic Science Institute, Seoul Center, 136-600 Seongbuk P.O. Box, 12, 88-3, Hawolgok 1-dong, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, Korea

    Youn-Tae Kim, Hyeon Yoon & Cheolho Yoon

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  1. Youn-Tae Kim
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  2. Hyeon Yoon
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  3. Cheolho Yoon
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  4. Nam-Chil Woo
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Correspondence to Hyeon Yoon.

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Kim, YT., Yoon, H., Yoon, C. et al. An assessment of sampling, preservation, and analytical procedures for arsenic speciation in potentially contaminated waters. Environ Geochem Health 29, 337–346 (2007). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-007-9091-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10653-007-9091-3

Keywords

  • Arsenic speciation
  • Sampling
  • Preservation
  • Analytical methods
  • Sample condition