Abstract
Speciation of volatile metals and metalloids in the environment is extensively described in literature. In order to investigate unstable volatile organometallics, on-line coupling of GC with ICP-MS was used. Preliminary results for gases of sewage sludge fermentation at thermophilic and mesophilic conditions are compared with the metal and metalloid speciation in landfill gases. In each case 20 L gas were sampled by cryogenic trapping. The species were identified by element-specific detection either by retention time of standards or by calculation of the boiling point correlation. Characteristic of the separation is the linear correlation of boiling point (bp/degrees C) versus retention time (rt/min) (bp = 6.39*rt -109.2, r(2) = 0.9926). The amounts of total volatile elements are estimated by semi-quantification. Cd, Sn, Hg, Pb (sewage gas) and Se, Te, Hg, Pb (landfill gas) were determined in the range of ng m(-3) level; As, Sb, Te and Bi (sewage gas) and As, Sn, Sb and Bi (landfill gas) in the mu g m(-3) level range.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 339-359 |
Number of pages | 21 |
Journal | International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry |
Volume | 60 |
Issue number | 2-4 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 1995 |
Keywords
- volatile organometallics
- GC-ICP-MS
- landfill gas
- sewage gas
- speciation
- plasma-mass-spectrometry
- atomic-absorption spectrometry
- organometallic compounds
- atmospheric mercury
- hydride generation
- arsenic compounds
- inorganic tin
- lake surfaces
- sediments