Analysis of organometal(loid) compounds in environmental and biological samples

Met Ions Life Sci. 2010:7:33-69. doi: 10.1039/BK9781847551771-00033. Epub 2010 Jan 30.

Abstract

Measurement of the different physicochemical forms of metals and metalloids is a necessary pre-requisite for the detailed understanding of an element's interaction with environmental and biological systems. Such chemical speciation data is important in a range of areas, including toxicology, ecotoxicology, biogeochemistry, food safety and nutrition. This chapter considers developments in the speciation analysis of organometallic compounds (OMCs), focusing on those of As, Hg, Se and Sn. Typically, organometallic analysis requires a chromatographic separation prior to analyte detection and gas chromatography (GC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) or capillary electrophoresis (CE) can serve this purpose. Following separation, detection is achieved using element specific detectors (ESDs) such as inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES), atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS), atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS) or atmospheric pressure ionization mass spectrometry (API-MS). Techniques employing a vapor generation (VG) stage prior to detection are also discussed. Complementary structural and quantitative data may be acquired through the combination of elemental and molecular mass spectrometry. The advantages and disadvantages of the various analytical systems are discussed, together with issues related to quantification and quality management.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, Gas
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Environmental Pollutants / analysis*
  • Humans
  • Mass Spectrometry
  • Metalloids / analysis*
  • Organometallic Compounds / analysis*
  • Tissue Extracts / analysis*

Substances

  • Environmental Pollutants
  • Metalloids
  • Organometallic Compounds
  • Tissue Extracts