Studies of the interaction of the relevant metal, metalloid or nanoparticulate species with biological systems are underpinned by the provision of reliable information about chemical composition of the relevant materials. Often, no methods of chemical analysis are available. The work described in this dissertation centers on developing methods to help with studies for a variety of analytes and samples. A method was developed for the determination of 11 trace elements (As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Mg, Mn, Pb, Ti, and Zn) in human breast milk and infant formulas by inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) following microwave-assisted digestion. A method was established for the determination of trace elements, with an emphasis on titanium as titanium dioxide, in snack foods and consumer products. The interactions of some dissolved metals, including rare earth elements, and metallo-nanoparticles (silver, gold, titanium dioxide, aluminum oxide, and iron) with aquatic plants were studied. After exposure in a variety of mesocosms, the partitioning of the elemental species between various compartments was quantified by ICP-MS and ICP-OES following microwave-assisted digestion. An ICP mass spectrometry (MS) method has also been developed to quantify the uptake of gold and silver nanoparticles by C. elegans. Uptake of gold nanoparticles was size dependent, suggesting increased ingestion efficiency with increased particle diameter. The feasibility of discriminating between suspended TiO2 nanoparticles and dissolved titanium by the analysis of the rapid transient signal events obtained from the ICP-MS instrument operated in a rapid response mode was also developed. Data handling parameters were established that allowed a distinction in the signals for nanoparticulate and standard solutions. Spikes in the signal were defined by distinct parameters using the mean and standard deviation, where a spike in the signal was defined as a signal > + ks (k =3). This approach however did lead to a statistical difference in the spike signal events for solutions and nanosuspensions.

A method was developed for the determination of total arsenic in rice grain by microwave-assisted digestion inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Standard calibration solutions were matrix-matched with respect to acid concentration and carbon content post-digest. The importance of eliminating the drying step during sample preparation procedures was investigated. The method was validated with spikes containing standard arsenate solutions into the rice matrix, and with certified reference material SRM1568a (rice flour) from NIST. The method was successfully applied to a commercially available rice sample. Four arsenic species [arsenate (As(V)), arsenite (As(III)), dimethylarsinic acid (DMA) and monomethylarsonic acid (MMA)] were extracted from rice grains by microwave-assisted extraction and separated with high performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. The method includes a novel sample clean-up step involving a dialysis procedure to decrease the amount of large starch molecules in the injection solution, in order to minimize poor resolution of chromatographic peaks and maximize column life. The method was validated with spikes of standard arsenic solutions, added to the rice matrix before the extraction procedure. Literature reference values for arsenic species quantification in SRM1568a (rice flour) were also compared. This method was successfully applied to a commercially available rice sample. A study into improvements in reverse phase-HPLC separations of arsenic species was conducted. For the first time, a Sunfire C8 column from Waters (Milford, CT) was employed for the separation of arsenic species in rice extracts. This column was compared to a Symmetry C8 column with respect to total elution time, detection limits, interference effects, and column life, and evaluated with respect to peak resolution, shifts in retention times, and peak symmetry.

No description available.

[pt] Os metais e metaloides representam um problema global pela possibilidade de bioacumulação e biomagnificação ao longo de teias tróficas aquáticas. Os elasmobrânquios, grupo taxonômico que inclui as raias e tubarões, são vulneráveis à pesca e poluentes químicos. Poucos estudos avaliaram a presença e os efeitos de metais e metaloides nestes animais e estudos com amostragem não-letal são ainda escassos. Este estudo avaliou o potencial da bílis como biomarcador de contaminação recente em três espécies de elasmobrânquios ameaçados capturados artesanalmente na cidade do Rio de Janeiro, Gymnura altavela, Dasyatis hypostigma e Pseudobatos horkelii. As concentrações de metais e metaloides biliares foram determinadas por espectrometria de massa com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS), as metalotioneínas por espectrometria UV-Vis e as associações entre metais intracelulares e metalotioneínas por cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência com separação por exclusão de tamanho acoplada a ICP-MS (SEC-HPLC-ICP-MS). No geral, Fe apresentou as maiores concentrações (máx. 194,8 mg L-1) e Sn as menores (máx. 0,004 mg L-1), quantificado em apenas cinco indivíduos do total estudado (107). Arsênio e cobre apresentaram maiores médias (10,9 e 5,2 mg L-1, respectivamente) nas amostras de bílis de raia viola, a única espécie capturada em Copacabana. Correlações estatísticas entre as concentrações de metalotioneínas, índices biomorfométricos e concentrações elementares nas frações das amostras de bílis indicam contaminação ambiental e potenciais efeitos sub letais no desenvolvimento e reprodução desses animais. Os resultados obtidos por SECHPLC-ICP-MS indicam diferenças metabólicas nas rotas de destoxificação das diferentes espécies. Conclui-se que o uso de bílis de elasmobrânquios é uma alternativa eficaz e que permite a amostragem não-letal para monitorar a contaminação ambiental recente por metais e metaloides. / [en] Metals and metalloids can represent a significant global issue, due to the potential for high bioaccumulation and biomagnification along aquatic food webs. Elasmobranchs, a taxonomic group that includes rays and sharks, are highly vulnerable to fishing activities and chemical pollutants. Few studies have investigated the presence and impacts of metals and metalloids in these animals, and studies with non-lethal sampling methods are still scarce. This study evaluated the potential of bile as a biomarker of recent contamination in three threatened species of elasmobranchs artisanally captured in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Gymnura altavela, Dasyatis hypostigma, and Pseudobatos horkelii. Biliary metal and metalloid concentrations were determined by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS), metallothioneins by UV-Vis spectrometry, and associations between intracellular metals and metallothioneins were investigated by Size Exclusion-High-Performance Liquid Chromatography coupled to ICP-MS (SEC-HPLC-ICP-MS). Overall, Fe presented the highest concentrations (0.7 more or less 0.1 mg L-1) and Sn the lowest (max. 0.004 mg L-1), quantified in only five individuals of the total studied (107). Arsenic and copper showed higher averages (10.9 and 5.2 mg L-1, respectively) in bile samples from Brazilian guitarfish, the only species caught in Copacabana. Statistical correlations among metallothionein concentrations, biometric indices, and elemental concentrations in bile fractions suggest environmental contamination and potential sublethal effects on the development and reproduction of these animals. Results obtained from SEC-HPLC-ICP-MS indicate metabolic differences in detoxification pathways among the various species. In conclusion, the utilization of elasmobranch bile is an effective alternative that allows non-lethal sampling for monitoring recent environmental contamination by metals and metalloids.

A espectrometria de massas com plasma acoplado indutivamente com simples quadrupolo (q-ICP-MS) e cela de reação dinâmica (DRC-ICP-MS) foi avaliada para determinação seqüencial de Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Mo, Pb, Pt, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, Tl, V e Zn em sangue. Para as análises, amostras de sangue (200 µL) foram diluídas 1:50 em uma solução contendo 0,01% v/v Triton® X-100 e 0,5% v/v de ácido nítrico. As calibrações foram realizadas com ajuste de matriz, utilizando sangue ovino. Como gás de reação utilizou-se a NH3. O uso do DRC foi fundamental para a determinação de Cr e V. A escolha da melhor vazão do gás e a otimização do parâmetro de rejeição (RPq) foram estudadas utilizando sangue base ovino ou uma solução de matriz sintética (SMS), de acordo com a concentração do analito no sangue base. Os limites de detecção (3s/coeficiente angular) para determinação de 27Al, 75As, 111Cd, 59Co, 63Cu, 55Mn, 98Mo, 208Pb, 195Pt, 123Sb, 82Se, 120Sn, 130Te, 205Tl e 66Zn em sangue por q-ICP-MS foram 0,223; 0,014; 0,003; 0,011; 0,304; 0,009; 0,009; 0,003; 0,001; 0,005; 0,264; 0,006; 0,010; 0,001; 0,834 µg L-1, respectivamente, e para determinação de 52Cr e 51V em sangue por DRC-ICP-MS utilizando o gás de reação amônia os limites de detecção foram de 0,007 e 0,006 µg L-1. Para a determinação de 27Al, 63Cu, 65Cu, 64Zn e 66Zn em sangue por q-ICP-MS através da calibração com ajuste de matriz com SMS os limites de detecção foram 0,083; 0,090; 0,055; 0,281; 0,306 µg L-1, respectivamente. A validação do método foi realizada por meio da análise de materiais de referência do INSP-Canadá, NYSDOH-EUA e Seronorm-Noruega. / The use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with quadrupole (q-ICP-MS) and dynamic reaction cell (DRC-ICP-MS) was evaluated for sequential determination of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Mo, Pb, Pt, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, Tl, V and Zn in whole blood by q-ICP-MS or DRC-ICP-MS methods. Prior to analysis, sample (200 µL) were diluted 1:50 v/v in a solution containing 0.01% v/v Triton® X-100 and 0.5% v/v nitric acid. For all elements, except Cr and V, the instrument was operated in q-ICP-MS mode. The use of DRC was only mandatory for Cr and V. NH3 was evaluated as the reaction gas. Selection of best flow rate of reaction gas and optimization of the quadrupole dynamic bandpass rejection parameter (RPq) were carried out, using base whole blood or synthetic matrix solution (SMS), in according with element base blood concentration. Method detection limits (3s/slope) for 27Al, 75As, 111Cd, 59Co, 63Cu, 55Mn, 98Mo, 208Pb, 195Pt, 123Sb, 82Se, 120Sn, 130Te, 205Tl and 66Zn determination in whole blood by q-ICP-MS against matrix matching calibration (base blood) were 0.223; 0.014; 0.003; 0.011; 0.304; 0.009; 0.009; 0.003; 0.001; 0.005; 0.264; 0.006; 0.010; 0.001; 0.834 µg L-1, respectively, and for 52Cr and 51V determination in whole blood by DRC-ICP-MS the detection limits were 0.007 e 0.006 µg L-1. For 27Al, 63Cu, 65Cu, 64Zn and 66Zn determination by q-ICP-MS through matrix matching calibration with SMS the detection limits were 0.083; 0.090; 0.055; 0.281; 0.306 µg L-1, respectively. Method validation was accomplished by the analysis of reference materials from INSP-Canada, NYSDOH-USA, Seronorm-Norway.

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico / In this study different methods for speciation of Sb(III) and Sb(V) in meglumine antimoniate (NMG) were evaluated. Liquid chromatography (LC) combined or not with hydride generation (HG) was investigated for separation of Sb(III) and Sb(V). Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was used as detector. A flow injection system together with hydride generation (FI-HG) coupled with atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) was also employed for the selective determination of Sb(III) in presence of Sb(V). Two anion-exchange columns (Dionex, IonPacAS14 and Hamilton, PRP-X100) were evaluated for Sb(III) and Sb(V) separation by LC. Parameters related to the mobile phase, such as type (EDTA, potassium phthalate, and potassium phthalate + EDTA), concentration (0.5 to 10 mmol L-1), pH (3.5 to 7.0), flow rate (0.25 to 1.75 mL min-1) and elution mode (isocratic and gradient) were studied. The volume of sample injected into the chromatograph was set at 200 μL. For the chromatographic separation, the mobile phase which led to improved separations of Sb(III) and Sb(V) was the EDTA in concentrations of 0.5 mmol L-1 and 1.0 mmol L-1 for the IonPac and PRP-X100 columns, respectively. The most appropriate parameters related to the FI-HG system were also evaluated and set, such as reductant of Sb(III) (NaBH4 0.1%, m/v), complexant of Sb(V) (10% m/v citric acid,), water as the sample carrier, analytical path (300 cm), volume of sample (100 μL), total flow rate of solutions (8.5 mL min-1) and flow rate of carrier gas (0.4 mL min-1). In order to identify and/or quantify the species of Sb present in the NMG, the samples were diluted in water only. Through the use of LC-ICP-MS it was only possible to quantify the Sb(V), whereas the presence of Sb(III) was not detected. The determination of Sb(III) was only possible through FI-HG AAS, FI-HG-ICP-MS and LC-HG-ICP-MS (by combination of conditions set for LC and FI-HG individually). Similar results for Sb(III) were obtained through the techniques FI-HG AAS and HGICP- MS. Thus, it was possible to quantify free Sb(III) and Sb(V), while probable compounds of Sb(III) and/or Sb(V) bound to NMG were observed but could not be identified and quantified, mainly because of lack of reference solutions and difficulty in separating the observed Sb species. The precision of methods for determination of Sb(III) and Sb(V) (expressed as relative standard deviation for 5 consecutive measurements) was about 9% and 3% respectively. As there were no certified reference materials to evaluate the accuracy of the developed methods, recovery tests of Sb(III) and Sb(V) were made, where they were in the range 96 to 101% for Sb(V) and 85 to 104% for Sb(III). Moreover, the results were compared with those obtained by official methods to quantify Sb(III), Sb(V) and Sb total in meglumine antimoniate. / Neste trabalho foram avaliados diferentes métodos para a análise de especiação de Sb(III) e Sb(V) em antimoniato de meglumina (NMG). Cromatografia a líquido (LC) combinada, ou não, com a técnica de geração de hidretos (HG) foi investigada para a separação de espécies de Sb. A espectrometria de massa com plasma indutivamente acoplado (ICP-MS) foi empregada como detector. Um sistema de injeção em fluxo (FI) em conjunto com HG (FI-HG) e acoplado à espectrometria de absorção atômica (AAS) foi também empregado para a determinação seletiva de Sb(III) na presença de Sb(V). Duas colunas de troca aniônica (Dionex, IonPacAS14 e Hamilton, PRP-X100) foram avaliadas para separar as espécies de Sb por LC. Parâmetros relacionados com a fase móvel, tais como tipo (EDTA, ftalato de potássio e EDTA + ftalato de potássio), concentração (0,5 a 10 mmol L-1), pH (3,5 a 7,0), vazão (0,25 a 1,75 mL min-1) e o modo de eluição (isocrático e gradiente) foram estudados. O volume de amostra injetada no cromatógrafo foi fixado em 200 μL. Para a separação cromatográfica, a fase móvel que levou a melhores separações de Sb(III) e Sb(V) foi o EDTA nas concentrações de 0,5 mmol L-1 e 1,0 mmol L-1, para as colunas IonPac e PRP-X100, respectivamente. Os parâmetros relacionados com o sistema FI-HG mais adequados foram também avaliados e escolhidos, tais como o redutor do Sb(III) (NaBH4 0,1%, m/v), complexante do Sb(V) (ácido cítrico 10%, m/v), a água como carregador da amostra, o percurso analítico (300 cm), volume de amostra (100 μL), a vazão total das soluções (8,5 mL min-1) e a vazão do gás de arraste (0,4 mL min-1). Para a identificação e/ou quantificação das espécies de Sb presentes no NMG, as amostras foram somente diluídas em água. Com o emprego de LC-ICP-MS foi possível quantificar somente o Sb(V), não sendo detectada a presença da espécie Sb(III). A determinação de Sb(III) foi somente possível mediante as técnicas FI-HG AAS, FI-HG-ICP-MS e LC-HG-ICP-MS (esta mediante combinação das condições ajustadas para LC e FI-HG individualmente). Resultados concordantes para Sb(III) foram obtidos mediante as técnicas FI-HG AAS e FI-HGICP- MS. Desta forma, foi possível quantificar Sb(III) e Sb(V) livres, enquanto que possíveis compostos de Sb(III) e/ou Sb(V) ligados ao NMG foram observados mas não puderam ser identificados e quantificados, principalmente por causa da falta de soluções de referência e dificuldade de separação das possíveis espécies de Sb observadas. A precisão dos métodos de determinação de Sb(III) e Sb(V) (expressa como desvio padrão relativo para 5 medições consecutivas) foi cerca de 9% e 3%, respectivamente. Como não havia materiais de referência certificados para avaliar a exatidão dos métodos desenvolvidos, foram feitos testes de recuperação de Sb(III) e Sb(V), sendo que as mesmas ficaram na faixa de 96 a 101% para o Sb(V) e de 85 a 104% para o Sb(III). Além disso, os resultados obtidos foram comparados com aqueles obtidos por métodos oficiais para a quantificação Sb(III), Sb(V) e Sb total no antimoniato de meglumina.

A espectrometria de massas com plasma acoplado indutivamente com simples quadrupolo (q-ICP-MS) e cela de reação dinâmica (DRC-ICP-MS) foi avaliada para determinação seqüencial de Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Mo, Pb, Pt, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, Tl, V e Zn em sangue. Para as análises, amostras de sangue (200 µL) foram diluídas 1:50 em uma solução contendo 0,01% v/v Triton® X-100 e 0,5% v/v de ácido nítrico. As calibrações foram realizadas com ajuste de matriz, utilizando sangue ovino. Como gás de reação utilizou-se a NH3. O uso do DRC foi fundamental para a determinação de Cr e V. A escolha da melhor vazão do gás e a otimização do parâmetro de rejeição (RPq) foram estudadas utilizando sangue base ovino ou uma solução de matriz sintética (SMS), de acordo com a concentração do analito no sangue base. Os limites de detecção (3s/coeficiente angular) para determinação de 27Al, 75As, 111Cd, 59Co, 63Cu, 55Mn, 98Mo, 208Pb, 195Pt, 123Sb, 82Se, 120Sn, 130Te, 205Tl e 66Zn em sangue por q-ICP-MS foram 0,223; 0,014; 0,003; 0,011; 0,304; 0,009; 0,009; 0,003; 0,001; 0,005; 0,264; 0,006; 0,010; 0,001; 0,834 µg L-1, respectivamente, e para determinação de 52Cr e 51V em sangue por DRC-ICP-MS utilizando o gás de reação amônia os limites de detecção foram de 0,007 e 0,006 µg L-1. Para a determinação de 27Al, 63Cu, 65Cu, 64Zn e 66Zn em sangue por q-ICP-MS através da calibração com ajuste de matriz com SMS os limites de detecção foram 0,083; 0,090; 0,055; 0,281; 0,306 µg L-1, respectivamente. A validação do método foi realizada por meio da análise de materiais de referência do INSP-Canadá, NYSDOH-EUA e Seronorm-Noruega. / The use of inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with quadrupole (q-ICP-MS) and dynamic reaction cell (DRC-ICP-MS) was evaluated for sequential determination of Al, As, Cd, Co, Cu, Cr, Mn, Mo, Pb, Pt, Sb, Se, Sn, Te, Tl, V and Zn in whole blood by q-ICP-MS or DRC-ICP-MS methods. Prior to analysis, sample (200 µL) were diluted 1:50 v/v in a solution containing 0.01% v/v Triton® X-100 and 0.5% v/v nitric acid. For all elements, except Cr and V, the instrument was operated in q-ICP-MS mode. The use of DRC was only mandatory for Cr and V. NH3 was evaluated as the reaction gas. Selection of best flow rate of reaction gas and optimization of the quadrupole dynamic bandpass rejection parameter (RPq) were carried out, using base whole blood or synthetic matrix solution (SMS), in according with element base blood concentration. Method detection limits (3s/slope) for 27Al, 75As, 111Cd, 59Co, 63Cu, 55Mn, 98Mo, 208Pb, 195Pt, 123Sb, 82Se, 120Sn, 130Te, 205Tl and 66Zn determination in whole blood by q-ICP-MS against matrix matching calibration (base blood) were 0.223; 0.014; 0.003; 0.011; 0.304; 0.009; 0.009; 0.003; 0.001; 0.005; 0.264; 0.006; 0.010; 0.001; 0.834 µg L-1, respectively, and for 52Cr and 51V determination in whole blood by DRC-ICP-MS the detection limits were 0.007 e 0.006 µg L-1. For 27Al, 63Cu, 65Cu, 64Zn and 66Zn determination by q-ICP-MS through matrix matching calibration with SMS the detection limits were 0.083; 0.090; 0.055; 0.281; 0.306 µg L-1, respectively. Method validation was accomplished by the analysis of reference materials from INSP-Canada, NYSDOH-USA, Seronorm-Norway.

The advantage of one-bead-one-compound combinatorial libraries is that hundreds of thousands to millions of compounds can be rapidly synthesized and screened simultaneously. The beads supporting the compounds of interest are then isolated and analyzed to decipher the structure of the desired compound. Many methods are currently used to allow deconvolution of the compound on the individual beads. Herein is described a novel method to encode TentaGel beads using absorption of different ratios of lanthanide ions. The encoding process is completed in parallel with the synthesis of the library of compounds. Once the desired beads are identified, the lanthanide ions can be released from the bead and analyzed using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS).

No description available.

Thesis advisor: J. Christopher Hepburn / The Nashoba terrane of SE New England is one of three peri-Gondwanan tectonic blocks caught between Laurentia and Gondwana during the closure of the Iapetus Ocean in the early to mid- Paleozoic. U-Pb analyses (LA-ICP-MS) were carried out on zircon suites from the meta-sedimentary rocks of the Nashoba terrane. The youngest detrital zircons in the meta-sedimentary rocks of the Nashoba terrane are Ordovician in age. There is no significant difference in age between meta-sedimentary units of the Nashoba terrane across the Assabet River Fault Zone, a major fault zone that bisects the NT in a SE and a NW par. Zircon in meta-sedimentary rocks in the Marlboro Fm., the oldest unit of the Nashoba terrane, is rare, which may reflect the basaltic nature of the source material, and is commonly metamict. The Marlboro Fm. contained the oldest detrital grain of all the analyzed samples, with a core of ~3.3 Ga and rim of ~2.6 Ga indicating that it was sourced from Archaen crustal material. Detrital zircons from the Nashoba terrane show a complete age record between the Paleoproterozoic and Paleozoic that strongly supports a provenance from the Oaxiqua margin of Amazonia. The detrital zircon suite of the Nashoba terrane is distinct from both Avalonia and the Merrimack belt; however, they resemble zircon suites from Ganderia. This study proposes that the Nashoba terrane of Massachusetts correlates with the passive trailing edge of Ganderia. Finally, metamorphic zircon analyses of the terrane show that the Nashoba terrane experienced a peak in hydrothermal fluid infiltration during the Neoacadian orogeny. / Thesis (MS) — Boston College, 2011. / Submitted to: Boston College. Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. / Discipline: Earth and Environmental Sciences.