Geology Reports⌕ Search
Home/Archive/USGS

USGS · 70178289

Determination of arsenic and selenium in whole fish by continuous-flow hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry

W. G. Brumbaugh·M.J. Walther
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

A combined wet chemical and dry ash digestion and use of a continuous- flow hydride generator coupled with a flame-heated quartz cell enabled the simple, precise, and highly automated atomic absorption determination of arsenic and selenium in tissues of whole fish. Percent relative standard deviation averaged 4% for each element; method detection limits (μg/g dry wt) were about 0.06 for arsenic and 0.04 for selenium. Digestion of samples proceeded with little operator attention and without perchloric acid. Analysis for arsenic as As(V) simplified sample preparation but care had to be exercised to avoid interferences from high concentrations of selenium.

Explore related subjects

Journal of the Association of Official Analytical ChemistsArticle

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

W. G. Brumbaugh, M.J. Walther. 2020-01-14. Determination of arsenic and selenium in whole fish by continuous-flow hydride generation atomic absorption spectrophotometry. https://doi.org/10.1093/jaoac%2F72.3.484

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related USGS reports

USGS2020

Residues of organochlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls, and heavy metals in biota from Apalachicola River, Florida, 1978

Seventy-seven composite samples composed of largemouth bass ( Micropterus salmoides ), channel catfish ( Ictaluras punctatus ), threadfin shad ( Dorosoma petenense ), Asiatic clam ( Corbicula fluminea ), burrowing mayfly ( Hexagenia sp.), water snake ( Natrix spp.), and little green heron ( Butorides virescens ) were collected from upper and lower reaches of the Apalachicola River, Florida, in 1978 for residue analysis of organochlorine insecticides, PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls), and metals. Compared with data from the National Pesticide Monitoring Program and criteria recommended for the protection of aquatic life, residue concentrations were moderately high in the Apalachicola River. Biota from the upper river generally had higher organic and lower metal residues than those from the lower river. Highest residues in the biota were total DDT, total PCBs, and toxaphene. Although individual mean concentrations were below 2 μg/g and total organic contaminant residues never exceeded 5 μg/g, residue concentrations of DDT, PCBs, and toxaphene (particularly from the upper river) exceeded recommended permissible levels for the protection of aquatic life. Metal residues were generally below 1 μg/g. Exceptions were arsenic residues in threadfin shad (1.07 μg/g) and Asiatic clams (1.75 μg/g), and selenium in eggs of channel catfish (1.39 μg/g). The residues observed in the biota, particularly from the upper station, indicated moderate contamination of the Apalachicola River system at the time samples were collected.

Journal of the Association of Official Analytical ↗
USGS2020

Monocrotophos and dicrotophos residues in birds as a result of misuse of organophosphates in Matagorda county Texas USA

About 1100 birds of 12 spp. [Red-winged blackbird ( Agelaius phoeniceus ), great-tailed grackle ( Quiscalus mexicanus ), brown-headed cowbird ( Molothrus ater ), mourning dove ( Zenaida macrours ), Eastern meadowlark ( Sturnella magna ), vesper sparrow ( Pooecetes gramineus ), common snipe ( Gallinago gallinago ), blue-winged teal ( Anas discors ), mottled duck ( Anas fulvigula ), common moorhen ( Gallinula chloropus ), redhead ( Aythya americana ) and ruddy turnstone ( Arenaria interpres )] died from organophosphate poisoning in Matagorda County on the Texas Gulf Coast in March and May 1982. Birds died from feeding on rice seed that was illegally treated with dicrotophos or monocrotophos and placed near rice fields as bait to attract and kill birds. Brain acetylcholinesterase inhibition of affected birds averaged 87% (range 82-89%), and contents of gastrointestinal tracts contained residues of dicrotophos (5.6-14 ppm) or monocrotophos (2.1-13 ppm). Rice seed collected at mortality sites contained 210 ppm dicrotophos or 950 ppm monocrotophos. Mortality from dicrotophos poisoning continued for almost 3 wk. The practice of illegally treating rice seed with either of the 2 organophosphates appears to be infrequent but widespread at present.

Texas↗