New Module for Speciation of Trace Metals

The speciation of trace metals is becoming increasingly important because of the toxicity between species varies so greatly. Mercury and the hydride forming elements are of particular interest because of their high toxicity and tendency to bio-accumulate in the food chain and ultimately affect human health. Recognising this need, PS Analytical (UK) have developed the 10.820 speciation unit. The module has been designed to couple to our cold vapour/hydride generation Millennium AFS systems and SAMS chromatography software.  The system includes a fully automated LC pump with injection valve to provide a LC/IC separation of the inorganic and organometallic species. The eluting species are then subjected to UV photolysis/heater module to breakdown the organometallic and to ensure that the optimalvalance state is achieved for hydride generation. The AFS approach with the 10.820 module offers a complete solution for speciation with sub ppb detection limits for each species.