1. In situ sampling and speciation method for measuring dissolved phosphite at ultratrace concentrations in the natural environment.
- Author
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Han, Chao, Wang, Zhaode, Xu, Di, Williams, Paul N., Ren, Jinghua, Fang, Xu, Xie, Xianchuan, Geng, Jinju, Luo, Jun, and Ma, Lena Q.
- Subjects
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IN situ remediation , *SAMPLING methods , *SENSITIVITY analysis , *HIGH resolution spectroscopy , *PHOSPHITES - Abstract
Phosphite (P +III ) is of emerging chemical interest due to its importance within the global phosphorus cycle. Yet, to date, precise/accurate measurements of P +III are still lacking due to the inherent analytical challenges linked to its instability/ease of oxidation and ultra-trace concentration. Here, we present the first in-situ sampling and speciation analysis method, for dissolved P +III , using the diffusive-gradients-in-thin-films (DGT) technique, combined with capillary-column-configured-dual-ion-chromatography (CC-DIC). Method optimization of the DGT elution regime, to simultaneously maximize desorption efficiency and CC-DIC sensitivity, along with the characterization of diffusion coefficients for P +III , were undertaken before full method validation. Laboratory-performance testing confirmed DGT-P +III acquisition to be independent of pH (3.0–10.0) and ionic strength (0–500 mM). The capacity for P +III was 45.8 μg cm −2 , while neither P +V (up to 10 mg L −1 ) nor As +V (up to 1 mg L −1 ) impacted the DGT-P +III measurement. This novel method's functionality stems from the herein confirmed speciation preservation and double pre-concentration of P +III , resulting in quantification limits as low as 7.44 ng L −1 for a 3-day deployment. Applications of this method in various terrestrial/aquatic environments were demonstrated and simultaneous profiles of P +III and P +V across a sediment-water interface were captured at mm resolution in two contrasting redox-mesocosm systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
- Published
- 2018
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