title: Ultrasound energy focused in a glass probe: an approach to the simultaneous and fast extraction of trace elements from sediments.
abstract: The 3051 USEPA method (or alternatively, the 3051A) can be considered nowadays as a reference method to extract metals from sediments. However, after microwave heating, the sample must be allowed to cool down, which results in a considerable lengthening of the whole analytical process. Microwave ovens and their maintenance are, in addition, expensive, and its use is relatively dangerous. The use of ultrasound focused energy to assist the extraction of chemicals from solid samples is a safe and relatively cheap technique. In this work we propose a new method to extract simultaneously several elements from sediments using ultrasound energy focused in a glass probe to accelerate the process, and check its possibilities to become an alternative to the EPA3051(A) approach. The optimised procedure allows extracting 13 elements in only 6 min, with similar recoveries and, in general, better repetitivities than the EPA3051. In addition, the suspension is only slightly heated during the leaching process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Analytical Chemistry, University of the Basque Country, Bilbao, Basque Country, Spain.
authors.forename: Silvia Fdez-Ortiz
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: de Vallejuelo
authors.forename: Ana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Barrena
authors.forename: Gorka
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Arana
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: de Diego
authors.forename: Juan Manuel
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Madariaga
mesh_terms: D002138:Calibration; D002623:Chemistry Techniques, Analytical / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D019015:Geologic Sediments / Q000737:chemistry*; D005898:Glass / Q000737:chemistry*; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014131:Trace Elements / Q000032:analysis* / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000592:standards; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification
chemical_list: D014131:Trace Elements; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical