Atomic Spectrometry for Arsenic Speciation and Heavy Metal Trace Analysis
This community develops and applies atomic spectroscopy techniques to identify and quantify specific chemical forms of arsenic and other trace metals in environmental, biological, and food matrices.
The research focuses heavily on inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), optical emission spectrometry, and atomic absorption spectrometry. A distinct strand of work centers on arsenic speciation, utilizing photochemical vapor generation and hydride generation to distinguish between inorganic and organic arsenic species. Other recurring methods include graphite furnace atomic absorption and glow discharge techniques. Applications span the determination of heavy metals in water samples, seaweed, and food products, as well as the analysis of gunshot residue and risk assessment for toxic elements.
The largest share of the community's output is found in arsenic research, accounting for 2.4% of all tracked arsenic studies, and 3,962 papers here. This is followed by carbon (0.2%) and lead (0.7%).
The community comprises 19,463 papers, published primarily in Spectrochimica Acta Part B: Atomic Spectroscopy, the Journal of Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, and Analytica Chimica Acta.
Recent work includes portable platforms for field-based arsenic and selenium detection, the quantification of inorganic impurities in pharmaceutical substances using ICP-MS, and the analysis of volatile arsenic forms in stranded seaweed.