Cloud point extraction as a preconcentration step for the analysis of metals in environmental and clinical samples

SILVA, MARÍA FERNANDA; OLSINA, ROBERTO; FERNANDEZ, LILIANA

Clarkson University . Potsdam (NY, EEUU).

Simposio; 79th ACS Colloid & Surface Science Symposium; 2005

Cloud point extraction as a preconcentration step for the analysis of metals in environmental and biological samples. M. F. Silva, R. A. Olsina and L. FERNÁNDEZ, Área de Química Analítica, Departamento de Química, Facultad de Química, Bioquímica y Farmacia, Universidad Nacional de San Luis, 5700 – San Luis, Argentina, lfernand@unsl.edu.ar Cloud point extraction (CPE) is a powerful separation method  with a pronounced capability to preconcentrate trace and ultra-trace metals in diluted samples of diverse origin such as environmental, biological and industrial concern. This procedure have advantages over those currently available including low cost, safety, feasibility for injection of the surfactant-rich phase into any hydrodynamic analytical system and high capacity to concentrate a wide variety of analytes of widely varying nature with high recoveries and very high concentration factors.  CPE has been employed for the preconcentration of metal complexes such as mercury, aluminium and rare-earth elements prior to inductively coupled plasma atomic optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and Absorciometry UV-Vis coupled to flow injection (FI). On the other hand, the possibility to preconcentrate lead and aluminium without added chelating agents has been demonstrated. Indeed, the coupling of CPE to Capillary Electrophoresis (CE)  was successfully performed to preconcentrate and simultaneously determine lead, platinum/palladium, and  iron/dysprosium. The samples under analysis include different water samples, human saliva, urine and industrial samples.