Labile trace metal concentration measurements in marine environments: from coastal to open ocean areas

Publication date: Available online 6 May 2019Source: TrAC Trends in Analytical ChemistryAuthor(s): Yue Gao, Chunyang Zhou, Camille Gaulier, Arne Bratkic, Josep Galceran, Jaume Puy, Hao Zhang, Martine Leermakers, Willy BaeyensAbstractIn seawater, trace metals occur in many forms: free ion, labile and non-labile complex, colloid, associated with particles, but only free ions and very labile metal complexes can cross the phytoplankton membrane and be assimilated. In this paper we review the most appropriate determination methods for those metal species, addressing particularly in situ speciation and preconcentration. Focus is on DGT-ICPMS, which is a technique that meets these criteria very well. In coastal environments, DGT probes are widely used for metal pollution monitoring, but in open ocean a carrier such as a glider, is required. In open ocean organic metal complexation has been studied using DGT-ICPMS and electrochemical methods. The use of DGTs with different diffusion domain thicknesses provides information to quantify labilities and dissociation rates of metal complex pools. Labilities of metal complexes in coastal waters appeared to be higher than in open sea.
Source: TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry - Category: Chemistry Source Type: research