Assessing the Environmental Impact of Fossil-Fuel Based Energy Sources: Measurement of Organometal Species in Biological and Water Samples Using Liquid Chromatography with Electrochemical Detection

摘要

A new measurement approach for the determination of trace organometals in energy related environmental samples is described. The method is based on liquid chromatographic separation with electrochemical detection. A detailed description of the development of the electrochemical detection system, optimized for reducible analytes, is given. The conditions for the separation of methyl-, ethyl-, and phenylmercury in under 16 minutes by charge-neutralization reverse-phase chromatography are developed. Also, a separation of a number of organoleads, including trimethyl- and triethyllead, are described. The potential interferences in this type of organometal determination are investigated. Sample preparation methods and improvement in the detector selectivity are described that overcome these interferences. A significant improvement in the selectivity of the detection system has been investigated using a differential pulse waveform. Sample preparation methods for the determination of methylmercury in biological tissue are examined and measurements are made on two research materials: lyophilized tuna and shark meat. A column preconcentration procedure for methyl- and ethylmercury in natural water samples is developed.