Analyzing Samples for Metals

Analyzing Samples for Metals

Lead, cadmium, and chromium are among many metal contaminants that may be present in the environment—in ground water, wastewater, and soil—and can accumulate in the body and cause health risks. Cadmium, for example, is a toxic metal present in industrial work sites. At specified levels of exposure, cadmium can cause kidney and bone damage.

Because of the dangers they pose, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has set maximum contaminant levels (MCL) for metals.1 Public water supplies are monitored for these metals regularly. Many manufacturers are required to analyze their wastewater for the presence of these contaminants.

The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program controls water pollution by regulating the sources that discharge pollutants into US waters.2 Manufacturers with NPDES permits must detect and quantify specified metals on a regular basis. Many self- monitor to remain consistently in compliance.

What equipment is used to detect metals?

The Process: Metals Digestion

The metal digestion process seeks to maintain analytes in a solution and decompose the solids without loss or contamination. The digestion of metals typically involves acids and heat. Acid digestions require a fume hood for venting toxic fumes.EE_HotBlockSystem

Historically, the digestion process involved taking a beaker containing the sample and adding acid. The beaker was then placed in a stirring hot plate under a hood for several hours.

EPA-approved systems have streamlined the metals digestion process, improving productivity and increasing safety. Equipment, such as the HotBlock® System, shown at right, uses disposable digestion cups with accurately marked graduations to eliminate transfer steps and reduce sample contamination. PTFE-coated blocks with individual wells bring samples to temperature quickly and maintain uniform heat distribution for up to 54 samples simultaneously.

The Process: Post Digestion Filtration

After digestion, samples are diluted to fill lines in digestion cups. To filter the sample, a FilterMate filter assembly is pushed through the sample and the detachable plunger is removed. The sample is now ready for analysis or to be capped for storage.

The Process: Metals Analysis

Next, samples are analyzed to determine which metals are present. The sample composition is assessed using one of the following methods of metals analysis:

  • Flame AA: There are very few Flame AA instruments in use. Flame AA analysis may not reach the detection limits required for water analysis. Standards can be an issue as some Flame AA instruments require the standard to be preserved in a certain way.
  • Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption (GFAA): The graphite furnace vaporizes the sample and atomizes the analyte in this process of measuring concentration. Matrix Modifiers are used to optimize recoveries during testing. They help target the analyte and raise its vaporization temperatures, preventing the analyte from being lost during the pyrolysis step
  • ICP / ICP-MS: Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry detects metals at low level concentrations. In addition to this instrument, related items include sampler and skimmer cones, electron multipliers, spray chambers, nebulizers, and torches.

The Significance of Running Metals

Unlike other types of pollutants, there is often no visible indication of metals contamination. According to the EPA, all metals are toxic at some level and some metals are toxic in minute amounts.3 Between the biological effects of metals on wildlife and the adverse impact on human health, metals analysis is a crucial and necessary process in research, production, and environmental science.

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1 EPA. “Drinking Water Contaminants." Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/drink/contaminants/index.cfm on March 19, 2015.

2EPA. “NPDES Home” Retrieved from http://water.epa.gov/polwaste/npdes/ on March 26, 2015.

3EPA. “Metals.” Retrieved from http://www.epa.gov/caddis/ssr_met_int.html on March 19, 2015.