Determination of Dissolved Iron Redox Species in Freshwater Sediment using DGT Technique Coupled to BDS

Hanna Budasheva,Arne Bratkič,Dorota Korte,Mladen Franko,Aleksander Kravos,Yue Gao

doi:10.17344/acsi.2018.4848

Abstract

In this work we have developed a novel method for determination of iron redox species by the use of diffusive gradients in thin-film (DGT) technique coupled to photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy (BDS). The combination of both methods achieved low limit of detection (LOD) of 0.14 μM for Fe (II) ions. The total Fe concentration determined in the Vrtojbica river sediment (Slovenia, Rožna Dolina, 5000 Nova Gorica) was 49.3 μgL-1. The Fe (II) and Fe (III) concentration amounted to 12.8 μgL-1 and 39.9 μgL-1, respectively. Such an approach opens new opportunities for monitoring the content of iron species in natural waters and sediments and provides highly sensitive chemical analysis and an accurate qualitative and quantitative characteristic of the materials under study.

Highlights

Metals in trace amounts are natural components of the environment, but at high concentrations they can become toxic to living organisms since they act as conservative pollutants
In this work we have developed a novel method for determination of iron redox species by the use of diffusive gradients in thin-film (DGT) technique coupled to photothermal beam deflection spectroscopy (BDS)
The total Fe concentration determined in the Vrtojbica river sediment (Slovenia, Rožna Dolina, 5000 Nova Gorica) was 49.3 μgL–1

Summary

Introduction

Metals in trace amounts are natural components of the environment, but at high concentrations they can become toxic to living organisms since they act as conservative pollutants. All trace elements (including iron, Fe) that are essential for supporting various life processes have a fairly narrow “concentration window” between their biogenic and toxic levels. Human populations in areas contaminated by iron and other heavy metals could be significantly exposed to these contaminants due to their bioaccumulation properties. They can accumulate in bone, hair and in some soft tissues, such as the liver, kidney and lungs. Prolonged exposure and high concentration levels can lead to heart disease, the development of cancer, as well as other complications such as arthritis, diabetes or liver disease.[2]

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