Using FLOWFFF and HPSEC to determine trace metal–colloid associations in wetland runoff

Author(s)

Elisabeth Neubauer, Frank von der Kammer, Thilo Hofmann

Abstract

Natural organic matter (NOM) and iron colloids can coexist in surface water. These colloids might exhibit different affinities to metals and metalloids. Previously it has been shown, that organic and inorganic colloids in the low nanometer range can be fractionated using Flow Field-Flow Fractionation analyzes (FlowFFF), but it is not yet understood how the presence of inorganic colloids influences results obtained by High Performance Size Exclusion Chromatography (HPSEC). Studies that compare the use of these size-separation techniques for the analyzes of organic and inorganic colloids and associated elements are needed in order to interpret results obtained by either of these methods. Therefore, associations between colloids from a small stream draining a wetland area and a selected range of elements (Fe, Al, Ti, Pb, Cu, Ni, As, U, and Rare Earth Elements (REE)) have been investigated. FlowFFF analyzes and HPSEC analyzes were combined with ultrafiltration, functional group titration and arsenic speciation analysis.

 

NOM and, in a sample with a pH > 5.2, slightly larger iron organo-mineral colloids, were present in the

Organisation(s)

Journal

Water Research

Volume

47

Pages

2757-2769

No. of pages

13

ISSN

0043-1354

Publication date

2013

Peer reviewed

Yes

Austrian Fields of Science 2012

104002 Analytical chemistry, 104023 Environmental chemistry, 105904 Environmental research

Portal url

https://ucrisportal.univie.ac.at/en/publications/dd6806df-cdc3-4c05-8176-59734041104c