Antimony speciation in road dust and urban particulate matter in Valparaiso, Chile: Analytical and environmental considerations

• Published in: Microchemical journal Vol. 110; pp. 266 - 272
• Main Authors: Quiroz, Waldo, Cortés, Marisol, Astudillo, Francisco, Bravo, Manuel, Cereceda, Francisco, Vidal, Víctor, Lobos, María Gabriela
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.09.2013
• Subjects: analytical methods; Antimony; APM; ascorbic acid; blood; Chile; HPLC-HG-AFS; microwave treatment; nitric acid; oxalic acid; particulates; Road dust; Speciation; Chile; Antimony; Road dust; HPLC-HG-AFS; Speciation; APM
• ISSN: 0026-265X; 1095-9149
• DOI: 10.1016/j.microc.2013.04.006

In this study we develop an analytical methods for the determination of total Sb, Sb(V) and Sb(III) in road dust and airborne particulate matter (APM) by HPLC-HG-AFS. For total Sb determination, samples were digested with 6mL of HNO3 and 2mL of HBF4 in closed microwave digestion system at 200°C in 30min, trueness was determined by using APM certified reference material NIST 1648a. For Sb(V) and Sb(III) determination, oxalic acid 100mmolL-1 in 1% w/v ascorbic acid at 70°C in closed vessel microwave extraction was chosen as extraction procedure. Analytical methods were applied to airborne particulate matter (<10μm), and road dust (< 37μm) samples. An enrichment of antimony from 4 to 10 times higher was detected in road dust in Valparaiso, Chile, which correlates with the enrichment reported by our group in 2009 in the blood. On the other hand up to 70% of total antimony extracted from road samples was Sb(III) indicating an anthropogenic origin of this element. •We develop a methodology for Total Sb, and Sb speciation in APM and road dust.•The effect of extracting agents over % extraction and stability of Sb species was studied.•Different extraction techniques was analyzed•We detect an enrichment of Sb and the presence of Sb(III) in road dust and APM samples.•New questions about uptake pathways of Sb(V) and Sb(III) to human blood arise.