Automated separation, preconcentration and measurement of 90Sr in liquid samples with complex matrices by online ion exchange chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

An online separation and preconcentration method, employing a lab-on-valve system using solid phase extraction, followed by inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry (ICP-MS/MS), was developed for the analysis of 90Sr. The 90Sr was separated from 90Zr, an isobaric interference present at high concentrations in many samples, and other matrix components using a dual-column setup (Eichrom DGA-B and Sr resins). Any remaining 90Zr was then chemically resolved from the 90Sr in the ICP-MS/MS using O2 and H2 reaction gases. The system requires small sample volumes (10 mL), minimal sample preparation compared to traditional radiometric and other MS techniques and has a processing time of 22 min per sample. Based on a 10 mL sample size, the system limit of detection, limit of quantification and method detection limit (MDL) were 0.47 Bq L-1 (0.09 pg L-1), 1.57 Bq L-1 (0.32 pg L-1) and 1.79 Bq L-1 (0.34 pg L-1), respectively. The robustness of the system and suitability for use in various sample matrices was demonstrated using spiked lake water, spiked groundwater, spiked seawater and radioactive water samples. Recovery of the IAEA 2018 Proficiency Test Exercise water sample (n = 5) was 99% with an RSD of 11.9%. The method thus provides a powerful tool for the rapid analysis of low levels of 90Sr in various water/wastewater samples.

Accumulation of Silver in Yellow Perch ( Perca flavescens) and Northern Pike ( Esox lucius) From a Lake Dosed with Nanosilver.

A total of 15 kg of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) was added continuously over two ice-free field seasons to a boreal lake (i.e., Lake 222) at the IISD Experimental Lakes Area in Canada. We monitored the accumulation of silver (Ag) in the tissues of yellow perch ( Perca flavescens) and northern pike ( Esox lucius) exposed to the AgNPs under environmentally relevant conditions. The greatest accumulation was observed in the liver tissues of pike, and a single pike sampled in the second year of additions had the highest concentration observed in liver of 5.1 micrograms per gram of wet weight. However, the Ag concentrations in gill and muscle tissue of both pike and perch did not exceed 0.35 micrograms per gram of wet weight. Following additions of AgNP, the Ag residues in fish tissues declined, with a half-life of Ag in pike liver of 119 days. Monitoring using passive sampling devices and single-particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry during the AgNP addition phase confirmed that Ag nanoparticles were present in the water column and that estimated mean concentrations of Ag increased over time to a maximum of 11.5 µg/L. These data indicate that both a forage fish and a piscivorous fish accumulated Ag in a natural lake ecosystem dosed with AgNPs, leading to Ag concentrations in some tissues of the piscivorous species that were 3 orders of magnitude greater than the concentrations in the water.

Silver near municipal wastewater discharges into western Lake Ontario, Canada.

Because of the widespread use of silver nanoparticles in commercial products, discharges of municipal wastewater may be a point source of silver in the aquatic environment. We monitored two sites in western Lake Ontario impacted by discharges from wastewater treatment plants serving the City of Toronto. Concentrations of silver were elevated in bottom sediments and suspended sediments collected at the two sites. We also deployed two types of passive samplers in the water column at the two sites, the newly developed Carbon Nanotube Integrative Samplers for monitoring "CNIS-labile" silver and Diffusive Gradient in Thin Film samplers for monitoring "DGT-labile" silver. Results from these passive samplers indicated that the concentrations of silver at the two sites were either below detection limits or were in the ng/L range. In laboratory experiments where the sediments were re-suspended in Milli-Q water, a small proportion of the silver (i.e., < 25%) was labile and partitioned as colloidal or dissolved silver into the liquid phase after agitation. Nanoparticles tentatively identified as silver nanoparticles were detected by single-particle ICP-MS in suspension after agitation of both suspended and bottom sediments. Therefore, there is a need to assess whether silver species, including silver nanoparticles are transported from wastewater treatment plants into sediments in the aquatic environment. This study is unique in focusing on the in situ distribution of silver in natural waters and in sediments that are potentially impacted by urban sources of nanoparticles.

Detection and characterization of silver nanoparticles in aqueous matrices using asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

Engineered nanomaterials (EN) may be released into the environment as a result of their use in various consumer products. Silver nanoparticles (nAg) are widely used as an antimicrobial agent in personal care and household products, and in textiles. Since there is high potential for nAg to be released into municipal wastewater and then discharged into the aquatic environment, there is a need to develop methods for the analysis of these materials in aqueous matrices. Asymmetric-flow field flow fractionation (AF4) with on-line detection by ultra violet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used to detect and characterize nAg in aqueous matrices. Analysis of a mixture of 20, 40 and 60 nm nAg standards suspended in water resulted in a well resolved fractogram. Retention times of nAg separated by AF4 were correlated with the particle sizes of the standards. The limit of detection (LOD) for analysis of nAg using the on-line AF4/ICP-MS method was 0.80 ng mL(-1). Two calibration approaches (i.e., external calibration and standard addition) were used to quantify nAg concentrations, and both methods gave similar results. Using the on-line AF4/ICP-MS analytical method, nano-sized Ag was detected and quantified in untreated wastewater (i.e., influent) collected from a wastewater treatment plant. The concentration and the modal size of nAg in the influent were 1.90 ng mL(-1) and 9.3 nm respectively.

Organic mass spectrometry and control of fragmentation using a fast flow glow discharge ion source.

Representative organic vapors have been introduced into the flowing afterglow of a low power (<5 W) dc-glow discharge, coupled to a quadrupole mass spectrometer. When a positive bias was applied to the ion sampling orifice, the very surprising result was that molecular mass spectra were obtained with a high sensitivity. When a negative bias was applied to the ion sampling orifice, fragmentation of the analyte was observed with an increase in the extent of ion dissociation as the voltage was increased. The breakdown pattern is compound-specific and would be useful in confirming the identity of an unknown sample. When combined with chromatographic separation, the FFGD-MS technique could be used for chemical speciation studies at the sub-picogram level.