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Title: SPECIATION OF SELENIUM(IV) AND SELENIUM(VI) USING COUPLED ION CHROMATOGRAPHY: HYDRIDE GENERATION ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY

Author
item Goldberg, Sabine
item Martens, Dean
item Forster, Harold
item HERBEL, MITCHELL - UC RIVERSIDE

Submitted to: Soil Science Society of America Annual Meeting
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 5/3/2006
Publication Date: 11/12/2006
Citation: Goldberg, S.R., Martens, D.A., Forster, H.S., Herbel, M.J. 2006. Speciation of selenium(iv) and selenium(vi) using coupled ion chromatography: hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Soil Science Society of America International Annual Meeting Indianapolis, IN, Nov 12-16, 2006. Paper No. 279-3.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: A simple method was developed to speciate inorganic selenium in the microgram per liter range using coupled ion chromatography-hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Because of the differences in toxicity and adsorption behavior, determination of the redox states selenite, Se(IV), and selenate, Se(VI), is important. We used anion exchange chromatography to separate Se(IV) and Se(VI) based on differences in retention times. Samples were then mixed with concentrated HCl and passed through a 130 degree centigrade sand bath to reduce Se(VI) to Se(IV) for Se determination as the hydride. Detection limits were 0.68 microgram per liter for Se(IV) and 0.55 microgram per liter for Se(VI). Spiking of actual sample solutions with Se(IV) and Se(VI) showed the procedure to be accurate for solutions with Se(IV)/Se(VI) ratios ranging from 1:4 to 4:1. Average recovery was 93.1% for Se(IV) and 108% for Se(VI). The technique was used to determine Se(IV) and Se(VI) in deionized water and actual and synthetic irrigation waters.