Determination of nanomolar concentrations of phosphate in freshwaters using flow injection with luminol chemiluminescence detection

Portable All-in-One Electrochemical Actuator-Sensor System for the Detection of Dissolved Inorganic Phosphorus in Seawater

We present a methodology for the detection of dissolved inorganic phosphorous (DIP) in seawater using an electrochemically driven actuator-sensor system. The motivation for this work stems from the lack of tangible solutions for the in situ monitoring of nutrients in water systems. It does not require the addition of any reagents to the sample and works under mild polarization conditions, with the sample confined to a thin-layer compartment. Subsequent steps include the oxidation of polyaniline to lower the pH, the delivery of molybdate via a molybdenum electrode, and the formation of an electroactive phosphomolybdate complex from DIP species. The phosphomolybdate complex is ultimately detected by either cyclic voltammetry (CV) or square wave voltammetry (SWV). The combined release of protons and molybdate consistently results in a sample pH < 2 as well as a sufficient excess of molybdate, fulfilling the conditions required for the stoichiometric detection of DIP. The current of the voltammetric peak was found to be linearly related to DIP concentrations between 1 and 20 μM for CV and 0.1 and 20 μM for SWV, while also being selective against common silicate interference. The analytical application of the system was demonstrated by the validated characterization of five seawater samples, revealing an acceptable degree of difference compared to chromatography measurements. This work paves the way for the future DIP digitalization in environmental waters by in situ electrochemical probes with unprecedented spatial and temporal resolution. It is expected to provide real-time data on anthropogenic nutrient discharges as well as the improved monitoring of seawater restoration actions.

Determination of phosphorus in water and chemical fertilizer samples using a simple drawing microfluidic paper-based analytical device

A simple one-step drawing for the cost-effective fabrication of microfluidic paper-based analytical devices (µPADs) for the determination of phosphate content in water and fertilizer samples is presented in this paper. The hydrophobic barrier of µPAD was patterned using a 2-mm tip marker pen using a transparent acrylic sheet template. The molybdenum blue reaction using ascorbic acid as a reducing agent was used. A pre-concentration step of samples is proposed to improve the sensitivity of the measurement. The blue complex produced on the µPADs was recorded using a smartphone camera. The color intensities (red, green, blue and gray) were analyzed using ImageJ program. The proposed µPAD method provides a linear calibration range from 0 to 100 mg L^-1 P. The limit of detection (LOD) was found to be 0.7 mg L^-1 P with a precision of 3.1%RSD for 50 mg L^-1 P (n = 10). The proposed method was successfully applied to the determination of phosphorus contents in water and liquid chemical fertilizer samples. The results obtained from µPAD agreed with a spectrophotometric method using paired t test at a 95% confidence level.

Colorimetric determination of trace orthophosphate in water by using C18-functionalized silica coated magnetite

In this study, we customized magnetic sorbents by functionalizing silica coated magnetite with octadecyl(C₁₈)silane (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@C₁₈). This sorbent was intended for the determination of trace orthophosphate (o-PO₄³⁻) in unpolluted freshwater samples. The o-PO₄³⁻ was transformed to phosphomolybdenum blue (PMB), a known polyoxometalate ion. Then the PMB were coupled with cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB), cationic surfactant, in order to hydrophobically bound with the Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@C₁₈ particles through dispersive magnetic solid-phase extraction (d-MSPE) as part of sample preconcentration. The PMB–CTAB–magnetic particles are simply separated from the aqueous solution by the external magnet. The acidified ethanol 0.5 mL was used as PMB-CTAB eluent to produce an intense blue solution, which the absorbance was measured using a UV–Vis spectrophotometer at 800 nm. The proposed method (employing 2 mg of Fe₃O₄@SiO₂@C₁₈) yielded an enhancement factor of 32 with a linear range of 1.0–30.0 µg P L⁻¹. Precision at 6.0 µg P L⁻¹ and 25.0 µg P L⁻¹ were 3.70 and 2.49% (RSD, n = 6) respectively. The lower detection limit of 0.3 µg P L⁻¹ and quantification limit of 1.0 µg P L⁻¹ allowed trace levels analysis of o-PO₄³⁻ in samples. The reliability and accuracy of the proposed method were confirmed by using a certified reference material. Our method offers highly sensitive detection of o-PO₄³⁻ with simple procedures that can be operated at room temperature and short analysis time.

Sequential Injection System for Analysis of Degree Brix, Orthophosphate and pH in Raw Sugarcane Juice Applicable to Sugar Industry

This work presents, for the first time, a new sequential injection analysis (SIA) method to simultaneously analyze degree Brix, orthophosphate and pH in raw cane juice. These key parameters relate to price of harvested sugarcane and quality of cane juice for sugar production. The SIA system employed two detectors: the first detector is a diode-array spectrophotometer, equipped with a regular flow cell, for measurements of degree Brix and orthophosphate. Quantitative of degree Brix (°Bx; ca. % (w/w) sucrose) was based on manipulation of the schlieren effect at the interface between plugs of sample and water. Orthophosphate analysis was carried out based on the molybdenum blue method with significant reduction in consumption of the reagents. Compensation of the schlieren effect from sucrose for determination of orthophosphate was achieved by using a dual-wavelength spectrometric detection. Second detector is a pH-sensing device, called ion-selective field-effect transistors (ISFET). The ISFET is based on the current through the ISFET arising according to the H⁺ concentration in solution. Our developed SIA system provides linear calibration graphs fitting for purpose in analysis of sugarcane juice (pH: 0–14, °Bx: 1.0–7.0 and P₂O₅: 20–200 mg L⁻¹). Simultaneous analysis of sugarcane juice for pH, °Bx and P₂O₅ is carried out within 5 min (12 sample per h). Precision of SIA system is acceptable (RSD < 3%). Our SIA system gave quantitative results insignificantly different, as compared with conventional methods for analysis of pH, °Bx and P₂O₅ in sugarcane juice.

Development of an automated flow injection analysis system for determination of phosphate in nutrient solutions

BACKGROUND

A fully automated flow injection analysis (FIA) system was developed for determination of phosphate ion in nutrient solutions. This newly developed FIA system is a portable, rapid and sensitive measuring instrument that allows on-line analysis and monitoring of phosphate ion concentration in nutrient solutions. The molybdenum blue method, which is widely used in FIA phosphate analysis, was adapted to the developed FIA system. The method is based on the formation of ammonium Mo(VI) ion by reaction of ammonium molybdate with the phosphate ion present in the medium. The Mo(VI) ion then reacts with ascorbic acid and is reduced to the spectrometrically measurable Mo(V) ion. New software specific for flow analysis was developed in the LabVIEW development environment to control all the components of the FIA system. The important factors affecting the analytical signal were identified as reagent flow rate, injection volume and post-injection flow path length, and they were optimized using Box-Behnken experimental design and response surface methodology.

RESULTS

The optimum point for the maximum analytical signal was calculated as 0.50 mL min^-1 reagent flow rate, 100 µL sample injection volume and 60 cm post-injection flow path length. The proposed FIA system had a sampling frequency of 100 samples per hour over a linear working range of 3-100 mg L^-1 (R²  = 0.9995). The relative standard deviation (RSD) was 1.09% and the limit of detection (LOD) was 0.34 mg L^-1 .

CONCLUSION

Various nutrient solutions from a tomato-growing hydroponic greenhouse were analyzed with the developed FIA system and the results were found to be in good agreement with vanadomolybdate chemical method findings. © 2018 Society of Chemical Industry.

Potentiometric sensing of aqueous phosphate by competition assays using ion-exchanger doped-polymeric membrane electrodes as transducers

Using Zn(2+)-BPMP or Cu(2+)-BPMP as a receptor and o-mercaptophenol as an indicator, potentiometric sensing of aqueous phosphate by competition assays was achieved. With attractive features of portability, low cost and resistance to interference from turbidity and color, this sensor was successfully used for phosphate detection in biological and water samples.

Determination of phosphorus in natural waters: A historical review

The aim of this paper is to introduce a virtual special issue that reviews the development of analytical approaches to the determination of phosphorus species in natural waters. The focus is on sampling and sample treatment, analytical methods and quality assurance of the data. The export of phosphorus from anthropogenic activities (from diffuse and point sources) can result in increased primary production and eutrophication, and potentially the seasonal development of toxic algal blooms, which can significantly impact on water quality. Therefore the quantification of phosphorus species in natural waters provides important baseline data for studying aquatic phosphorus biogeochemistry, assessing ecosystem health and monitoring compliance with legislation.

A Compact Microcontrolled Microfluidic System for Photometric Determination of Phosphate in Natural Water Samples

A compact environmentally friendly microcontrolled microfluidic device ideal for in situ phosphate determination was developed based on a microsystem based on low-temperature co-fired ceramics (LTCC) coupled to a light-emitting diode (LED)–photometer with a multicommutation flow analysis (MCFA) approach. The experimental parameters of the MCFA analyzer were optimized by chemometric studies. Under the best experimental conditions, limits of detection and quantification of 0.02 mg P L–1 and 0.07 mg P L–1, respectively, and a sampling frequency of 67 h–1 were estimated. Moreover, a low sample consumption of only 60 μL per determination was the other advantage that fully meets the requirements of sustainable research and green chemistry purposes.

Simultaneous speciation of iron(II) and iron(III) by ion chromatography with chemiluminescence detection

This study reports on a method for the speciation of iron in aqueous samples by the simultaneous analysis of divalent and trivalent iron ions with ion chromatography equipped with chemiluminescence detection (IC-CLD). Ferrous and ferric ions are first chelated by pyridine-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (PDCA) to form complexed anions, and separated by a mixed-bed ion-exchange column. The separated complexed ions are then detected with a CLD system containing luminol and hydrogen peroxide in a basic solution. This luminescence system has a linear dynamic range of ca. 3 orders of magnitude, with method detection limits as low as 7 µg L(-1) for Fe(II) and 3 µg L(-1) for Fe(III), measured in the simultaneous detection mode. This system resists interferences from common cations such as Cd, Ca, Cr, Cu, Mg, Ni, Pb, and Zn. Evaluation by analyzing real samples shows that this method is rapid, accurate, sensitive, and selective.

Sensing and analysis of soluble phosphates in environmental samples: a review

Excess phosphate levels in water can lead to increased algal growth, eutrophication and reduced water quality. Phosphate levels in water are regulated by the EU through the Urban Waste Water Treatment Directive (annual mean total phosphorus concentrations of 1-2 mg/l) and the Water Framework Directive that will enforce "good ecological and chemical status" by 2015. Legislation is therefore driving the need for increased monitoring of soluble phosphate in water, escalating the desire for a direct, label free approach that could provide remote, continuous monitoring in real-time. The standard method for measuring soluble phosphate in water is a colourimetric technique developed in the 1960s. This colourimetric approach is difficult to adapt for on-line measurements, uses specific reagents which require safe disposal and thus incurs significant costs to the water industry when carried out on a large scale. This review considers optical and electrochemical sensors plus recent advances with synthetic receptors and molecularly imprinted polymers. Progress in the development of phosphate sensors, designed for use in a variety of disciplines, is highlighted with a view to adapting successful approaches for use in the water sector. Additional considerations include the need for long term stability, low maintenance, specificity for phosphate and the capability of measuring total phosphorus concentrations down to at least 1 mg/l, as required by legislation. A sensor that could directly measure soluble, inorganic phosphate concentrations would draw significant interest from the environment sector and other disciplines, including the agricultural, detergent and bio-medical industries.

Determination of phenol by flow-injection with chemiluminescence detection based on the hemin-catalysed luminol-hydrogen peroxide reaction

This study established a novel flow injection (FI) methodology for the determination of phenol in aqueous samples based on luminol chemiluminescence (CL) detection. The method was based on the inhibition that phenol caused on the hemin-catalysed chemiluminescence reaction between luminol and hydrogen peroxide in alkaline solution. Optimum conditions and possible mechanisms have been investigated. The linear range was 2.0×10(-9) to 4.0×10(-7)gmL(-1) for phenol. The proposed method is sensitive with a detection limit of 4.0×10(-10)gmL(-1). The relative standard deviation for 11 measurements was 2.3% for 1.0×10(-7)gmL(-1) phenol. The method was applied for the determination of phenol in waste water samples. The results obtained compared well with those by an official method.

A flow-injection chemiluminescent method for the evaluation of the antioxidant activity of 5'-nucleotides

In the present work, a simple chemiluminescence (CL) method coupled with flow-injection analysis for the evaluation of antioxidant activity of 5'-nucleotides (5'-AMP, 5'-CMP, 5'-GMP, 5'-UMP) was proposed. It is based on inhibition effect of the studied substances on CL emission of luminol-potassium ferricyanide-pyrogallol. Experiments were performed to evaluate the nature of the inhibition by 5'-nucleotides of the CL reaction and their antioxidant activities. Based on the experimental results, it was observed that 5'-nucleotides are available antioxidants that could effectively scavenge superoxide anion free radicals in a concentration-dependent way. This will provide a basis for further development of the use of nucleotides.

Removal of chromate and phosphate anion from aqueous solutions using calix[4]aren receptors containing proton switchable units

In the present study four new calix[4]arene amide ionophores (4-7) have been prepared by aminolysis of calix[4]arene diester (3) and investigated their extraction ability toward phosphate and dichromate anions at different pH. The (1)H NMR data showed that the synthesized compounds exist in the cone conformation. Liquid-liquid extraction experiments have been performed to evaluate the dichromate and phosphate anions extraction efficiency of both calix[4]arene bearing amide-pyridinium units (4-7) and the calix[4]arene derivative bearing aminomethyl pyridinium units (8, 9). It was observed that, compounds 4-7 exhibited lower affinity toward phosphate ions than the calix[4]arene derivative bearing amine pyridinium units (8, 9). The extraction of phosphate and dichromate anions by these compounds indicates that the partially protonated pyridyl or amino groups play the major role for the formation of hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions.

Flow-injection determination of cysteine in pharmaceuticals based on luminol-persulphate chemiluminescence detection

A flow injection (FI) method is reported for the determination of l-cysteine, based on its enhancement on chemiluminescence (CL) emission of luminol oxidized by sodium persulphate in alkaline solution. The calibration graph was linear over the range 1.0 x 10(-9)-5.0 x 10(-7) mol/L (r(2) = 0.9992), with relative standard deviations (RSDs) in the range 1.1-2.3% (n = 4). The limit of detection (3 sigma blank) was 5.0 x 10(-10) mol/L with a sample throughput of 120/h. The method was applied to pharmaceuticals and the results obtained were in reasonable agreement with the amount labelled. The proposed method was also applied to cysteine in synthetic amino acid mixtures. Calibration graphs of N-acetylcysteine and glutathione over the range 1.0-50 x 10(-8) and 0.5-7.5 x 10(-7) mol/L were also established (r(2) = 0.998 and 0.9986) with RSDs in the range 1.0-2.0% (n = 4), and the limits of detection (3 sigma blank) were 5.0 x 10(-9) and 1.0 x 10(-8) mol/L, respectively.

Determination of arsenate by sorption pre-concentration on polystyrene beads packed in a microfluidic device with chemiluminescence detection

A highly sensitive chemiluminescence (CL) method for the determination of arsenate in water based on a simple microfluidic device was developed. The method was based on sorption pre-concentration of arsenate as a form of vanadomolybdoarsenate heteropoly acid (VMoAs-HPA) ion-paired with hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide on the surface of polystyrene beads packed in a microfluidic device monitored by chemiluminescence detection. The composition of the VMoAs-HPA complex was studied by varying the concentrations of ammonium molybdate, ammonium vanadate and sulfuric acid with a variable-size simplex optimization process, of which the optimum concentrations were 6.3 x 10(-5), 5.0 x 10(-6) and 1.0 x 10(-2) M, respectively. In this work, 1.0 x 10(-3) M ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid was added to all work solutions to remove the interferences of the other metal ions on the CL detection. The integration of sorption pre-concentration not only increased the detection sensitivity but also eliminated the interference from phosphate and chromate. The calibration plot was linear from 1.0 x 10(-7) to 5.0 x 10(-5) M As(v). The limit of detection was 8.9 x 10(-8) M As(v) (S/N = 3). The time required for one analysis run was as short as 5 min. The relative standard deviation was 5.9% (n = 9). This method was successfully applied to the determination of arsenate in mineral-, drinking- and tap-water samples.

Trace elements in ships' ballast water as tracers of mid-ocean exchange

Recent regulation mandates that ships conduct mid-ocean ballast water exchange (BWE) prior to discharging foreign ballast in U.S. territorial waters. We investigated the utility of dissolved concentration measurements for 6 elements (Ba, P, Mn, U, V and Mo) in the ballast tanks of ships operating in the North Pacific and Atlantic oceans as tracers of mid-ocean BWE. Relatively conservative elements Mo, U and V provided little additional information beyond that obtained from salinity, whereas nonconservative Ba, P and Mn offered greater resolution. The utility of Ba, P and Mn was further examined in the context of three criteria: (1) stability, or whether tracers maintain stable concentrations in ballast tanks over time; (2) fidelity, or the degree to which tracer concentrations in ballast tanks faithfully reflect concentrations at their ocean source; and (3) predictability, or the degree to which ballast tanks have a predictable and restricted range of tracer concentrations following BWE. We found that in water held in ballast tanks over time, average stability increased for Mn<P<Ba, as reflected by decreasing coefficients of variation (30%>21%>3%) and fidelity increased in the same direction. While Ba and P usually increased discrimination at high salinities, Mn was typically the most sensitive indicator of BWE and the presence of residual port water in partially exchanged tanks. Ba, P and Mn in tanks exchanged in the Atlantic exhibited different concentration ranges compared to tanks exchanged in the Pacific, suggesting that if trace elements are to be used to verify BWE, criteria for discriminating between exchanged and unexchanged ballast tanks may need to be basin-specific.

Flow injection analysis of ultratrace orthophosphate in seawater with solid-phase enrichment and luminol chemiluminescence detection

Solid-phase extraction technique had been applied to extract molybdophosphoric heteropoly acid (MoP) paired with cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) from seawater matrix using C18 sorbent. Chemiluminescence emission could be generated via MoP reaction with alkaline luminol. Based on these, a novel on-line solid-phase extraction method coupled with flow injection (FI) analysis and luminol chemiluminescence detection had been established to determine ultratrace orthophosphate in seawater. The MoP-CTAB compound could be efficiently extracted on an in-line Sep-Pak C18 cartridge, and rapidly eluted by 0.3 mol l(-1) sulphuric acid-ethanol solution. Then the compound was reduced by luminol to produce chemiluminescence light, which could be detected using a luminescence analyzer. Experimental parameters were optimized using a univariate experimental design. Using artificial seawater with salinity of 35 as a matrix, the standard curve with a linear range between 0.005 and 0.194 micromol l(-1) had been obtained, and the recovery and the detection limit of the proposed method were found to be 92.5% and 0.002 micromol l(-1), respectively. The relative standard deviation (R.S.D.), which was determined over eight hour, was 4.66% (n=7) for the artificial seawater at a concentration of 0.097 micromol l(-1) orthophosphate. Si of 200 micromol l(-1) would not interfere with the detection of 0.012 micromol l(-1) orthophosphate compound. Three typical seawater samples were analyzed using both the proposed method and the magnesium hydroxide-induced coprecipitation (MAGIC) method, and the results of the two methods showed no significant difference using the t test. Compared to the MAGIC method, the proposed method was more sensitive, time saving and easy for on-line analysis.

Determination of thyroxine in pharmaceuticals using flow injection with luminol chemiluminescence inhibition detection

A simple flow injection method is reported for the determination of thyroxine, based on its inhibition effect on luminol-iron(II) chemiluminescence in alkaline medium in the presence of molecular oxygen. The detection limits (2s) for d- and l-thyroxine are 0.08 and 0.1 mg/L, respectively, with a sample throughput of 100/h. The calibration data for d- and l-thyroxine over the range 0.2-1.0 mg/L gives correlation coefficients (r(2)) of 0.9915 and 0.984 with relative standard deviations (RSD; n = 4) in the range 1.2-2.8%. The effects of some organic compounds was studied on luminol-iron(II) CL system for thyroxine determination. The method was applied to pharmaceutical thyroxine tablets and the results obtained (in the range 50.5 +/- 2.0-51.6 +/- 1.2 microg l-thyroxine/tablet) were in reasonable agreement with the value quoted.

Determination of iodide using flow injection with acidic potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection

A simple and rapid flow-injection method is described for the determination of iodide, based on potassium permanganate chemiluminescence detection via oxidation of formaldehyde in aqueous hydrochloric acid. The calibration graph was linear over the range 1.0-12 x 10(-6) mol/L (r2 = 0.9955) with relative standard deviations (n = 4) in the range 1.0-3.5%. The detection limit (3sigma) was 1.0 x 10(-7) mol/L, with sample throughput of 120/h. The effect of interfering cations [Ca(II), Mg(II), Ni(II), Fe(II), Fe(III) and Pb(II)] and anions (Cl-, SO4(2-), PO4(3-), NO3-, NO2-, F- and SO3(2-)) were studied. The method was applied to iodized salt samples and the results obtained in the range 0.03 +/- 0.005 - 0.10 +/- 0.006 mg I/g were in reasonable agreement with the amount labelled. The method was statistically compared with the results obtained by titration; no significant disagreement at 95% confidence was observed.

A remote in situ monitor based on continuous flow analysis for the quantitation of sub-micromolar levels of hexavalent chromium in natural waters

We describe the design, optimization, and application of a small, lightweight, deployable monitoring instrument for accurately measuring parts-per-billion levels of hexavalent Cr in surface waters at hourly intervals. The monitor quantifies Cr(vi) using a standard molecular absorbance spectroscopic method, i.e. by formation of a complex with 1,5-diphenylcarbazide (DPC). The continuous flow analysis (CFA) design uses narrow conduits (0.90 mm) that are hot-forged onto poly(methyl methacrylate) ('Plexiglas') plates based on the method of Jannasch et al.(Anal. Chem., 1994, 66, 3352). The sample stream is drawn through the manifold at 25 microl min(-1) using a mini-peristaltic pump; osmotic pumps (10 microl h(-1)) are used to continuously inject reagent (2.0 mM DPC, 0.60 M HNO(3), 5.0% w/v acetone, and 0.10% w/v Brij-35) and to periodically introduce quality control standards and a cleaning solution (0.50 M HNO(3)). The 'Z-type' optical cell uses a liquid-core waveguide (10 mm) to collimate the light-emitting diode source beam (lambda(max) 574 nm) to a broadband photodiode detector. Figures of merit are: 7 min cycle time, response within 28 min and clear-down within 31 min, low waste generation (<40 ml d(-1)), detection limit (3sigma) of 48.4 microg l(-1) as Cr(vi) or 0.411 microM as chromic acid, 1.54% relative standard deviation at 100 microg l(-1), and selectivity for dissolved Cr(vi) in authentic surface water samples containing moderate levels (>0.21% w/v) of total particulate matter. Using a test chamber containing Milwaukee Harbor water that was periodically fortified with Cr(vi) standards, continuous testing over a 15 day period (354 h) yielded results that were in excellent agreement (<5% variation) with measurements made using an ICP-MS reference method. Drift in the calibration model over the test period was 1.23% and the variation in a 0.50 mg l(-1) Cr(vi) standard was 3.8%(n= 11). Known interferences to the DPC chemistry (Mo, V, and Hg at >5 mg l(-1)) were undetected in the harbor water by ICP-MS.