Traces: Finding and measuring trace elements and environmental contaminants



                                Ian D. Brindle DSc, FRSC(UK), CChem

                         Brock University, St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada

                                        ibrindle@brocku.ca


Trace element and trace organic analysis by various spectroscopic techniques (GC-MS, ICP-AES,
ICP-MS…) require the development of techniques of extraction, preconcentration, and sometimes
derivitization that can be particularly challenging for the analyst. Analytes at low concentrations
can be difficult to quantitatively extract, preserve, and determine. In this presentation, I shall
discuss techniques, methods, and devices that we have developed in the determination of arsenic and
gold and in the area of persistent organic pollutants, such as flame retardants, dioxins and
furans, and polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons.