Determination of trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb)

Determination of trace elements in Sergio mirim : an evaluation of sample preparation methods and detection techniques:

Abstract

In this work, some trace elements (As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb) were determined for the first time in the crustacean Sergio mirim (Decapoda: Thalassinidea: Callianassidae) from Southern Coast (Rio Grande, RS) of Brazil. The trace element determination was carried out by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrometry (GF AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Different microwave radiation-based sample digestion methods were evaluated. The analyte concentration ranged from 1.45 to 3.70 μg g⁻¹ for As, 0.615 to 0.942 μg g⁻¹ for Cd, 0.884 to 7.20 μg g⁻¹ for Cr, 122 to 275 μg g⁻¹ for Cu, and 0.390 to 0.916 μg g⁻¹ for Pb. The limits of quantification for As, Cd, Cr, Cu, and Pb were 0.12, 0.01, 0.16, 0.92, and 0.06 μg g⁻¹, respectively. The accuracy was evaluated by results comparison between GF AAS and ICP-MS techniques, as well as by analysis of certified reference materials of fish muscle and oyster tissue, with agreement from 92 to 108%. The feasibility of using Sergio mirim as a promising environmental bioindicator candidate was evaluated, since that it is an abundant organism in the studied area (South cost of Brazil) as well as in other places around the world.