Flotation Separation of Trace Elements from Alkaline-Earth Matrices by Co(III) Hexamethylenedithiocarbamate before ICP-AES Determination

A method for the selective separation of Ag, Cd, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb and Zn in traces from solutions of calcite (CaCO₃), dolomite (CaMg(CO₃)₂) and gypsum (CaSO₄.2H₂O) before their determination by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES) is presented. The expected interferences of Ca and Mg on intensities of trace analytes were removed by collecting the elements of interest with cobalt(III) hexamethylenedithiocar-bamate, Co(HMDTC)₃. The flotation of aqueous solutions (1 l) of calcite, dolomite and gypsum was performed at pH 6.0, by 1.5 mg l⁻¹ Co and 0.6 mmol l⁻¹ HMDTC⁻. To minimise the effect of the reaction between Ca/Mg, which restrains the function of the surfactant, careful selection of the most suitable foaming reagent was necessary. The accuracy of the method was established by analysing natural alkaline-earth minerals by the standard addition method as well as using the dolomite reference materials GBW 07114 and GSJ JDo-1. The ICP-AES limits of detection following flotation on different minerals were found to be 0.080 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, 0.105 μg g⁻¹ for Ag, 0.142 μg g⁻¹ for Cu, 0.195 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, 0.212 μg g⁻¹ for Ni, 0.235 μg g⁻¹ for Zn and 0.450 μg g⁻¹ for Pb.     

Comparison of response of moss,lichens and attic dust to geology and atmospheric pollution from copper mine

Different sampling media (moss, lichen and attic dust) were used for monitoring the distribution of 15 elements, including certain trace elements, in the vicinity of an intensively exploited copper mine in the east of the Republic of Macedonia. Moss species (Hypnum cupressiforme and Campothecium lutescens), epiphytic lichens (Hypogymnia physodes and Evernia prunastri) and attic dust were collected for comparative analysis for monitoring air pollution. In both cases (lithological and anthropogenic affected areas) for the distribution of elements, the sampling media follows the expression capabilities: attic dust > moss > lichens. Enrichment factors M/L—moss vs. lichen, for plant response to elements distribution and D/L—attic dust vs. lichen, for historical response of elements distribution were significant for Cu and Ni, which were singled out as the main markers for anthropogenic and geogenic distribution. The factor analysis highlighted geogenic (F1: Ni-Cr-Cd-Fe-Al-K-Mn-Zn) and anthropogenic (F2: As-Cu-Pb) association of elements from three types of media samples. For anthropogenic affected areas, T value and F value for Cu content were significant at p < 0.05 and higher enrichment factors were obtained for lichen, moss and attic dust media (3.8, 5.0 and 5.7, respectively). Spatial distribution for element deposition (with emphasis on Cu and Ni) is not disturbed by the significant differences in the sampling media matrix. Treated sample materials (attic dust, moss, lichen) are shown to be useful in determining an anthropogenic impact, as well as the chemical properties or geological background on orographic diverse terrain in the presence of complex geological structure.     

Distribution of some elements in surface soil over the Kavadarci region,Republic of Macedonia

The results of a first systematic study of spatial distribution of different elements in surface soil over of the Kavadarci region, Republic of Macedonia, known for its nickel industrial activity are reported. The investigated region (360 km²) is covered by a sampling grid of 2 × 2 km²; whereas the sampling grid of 1 × 1 km² was applied in the urban zone and around the ferronickel smelter plant (117 km²). In total 344 soil samples from 172 locations were collected. At each sampling point soil samples were collected at two depths, topsoil (0–5 cm) and bottom soil (20–30 cm). Inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) was applied for the determination of 36 elements (Ag, Al, As, Au, B, Ba, Bi, Ca, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Fe, Ga, Hg, K, La, Mn, Na, Mg, Mo, Ni, P, Pb, S, Sb, Sc, Se, Sr, Th, Tl, Ti, U, V, W and Zn). Data analysis and construction of maps were performed using the Paradox (ver. 9), Statistica (ver. 6.1), AutoDesk Map (ver. 2008) and Surfer (ver. 8.09) software. Four geogenic and three anthropogenic geochemical associations were established. Within the research, natural and anthropogenic enrichment with heavy metals was determined. Principally, the natural enrichment is related especially to Ni. Pollution by As, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Mo, Pb and Zn is basically insignificant.