CAER Seminars

THE SPECIATION OF ARSENIC IN FISH TISSUE USING MICROWAVE ASSISTED EXTRACTION FOLLOWED BY HPLC-ICP-MS

Speaker:
Ms. Kathy Ackley
University of Cincinnati
Cincinnati, OH

Date:
Thursday, August 20, 1998 10:30 am
Ben Bandy Conference Center
Center for Applied Energy Research

Abstract:
Proper sample preparation of biological materials is critical for trace elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Preparation of these materials is more challenging when speciation is performed since extraction/digestion methods must preserve species integrity. Arsenic species of interest (arsenobetaine, arsenocholine, dimethylarsinic acid, monomethylarsonic acid and inorganic arsenic) are typically extracted from fish samples by conventional solvent extraction methods. However, these techniques are time consuming and create a possible source of sample contamination. Microwave assisted extraction (MAE) dramatically reduces sample preparation times and the amount of solvent required. Extracted species can be separated using chromatography and quantified using ICP-MS.