SCGS6116

ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL
ANALYSIS

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Sharifah Mohamad

INTRODUCTION

We live in a world where

the environment is
a major concern.
Use green fuel in our
transport
Shop for environmental
friendly products
Recycle much of our waste.
What do we mean by our environment?

Are we referring to:

The place where we live or work?

The atmosphere where we breathe and the

water which we drink?

Parts of atmosphere which shield us from

harmful radiation?
What do we mean by our environment?

The environment must

include all of these areas
and anywhere else which
could affect the well-being
of living organisms.

3 spheres of environment:
Water

Land

atmosphere
Environmental problems

Concern must extend over any process

which would affect the well-being of
living organisms, whether it is
physical (eg: global warming & climate
change)
chemical (eg: ozone layer depletion)
biological (eg: destruction of rain forest)
We must realize that .
Our environment is never static.

Physical forces continuously change the

surface of the earth through weather, the
action of waves and natural phenomena
such as volcanoes.

At the same time, they release gases,

vapour and dust from their sources.

These can return to the land or sea a

great distance away from their sources.
Reasons for concern.
The natural processes are being disrupted by
people to such an extent that the quality of life,
or even life itself, is being threatened.

Current concerns include

emissions from automobiles.
waste production.
use of pesticides which build up
in the food chain.
the use of inorganic fertilizers
in agriculture.
Pollution
Pollution is associated with the
introduction of chemical compounds
(unnatural and harmful substances) into
the environment.
chemical structure of
Example: Emission of chlorofluorocarbons chlorotetrafluoroethane
(CFCs) in aerosol sprays or other CFCs are
applications. They are linked with the nonflammable,
depletion of ozone in the stratosphere, noncorrosive, nontoxic,
which would lead to an increase in the and odorless, and their
intensity of harmful ultraviolet radiation vapor pressures and
from the sun reaching the earths surface, heats of vaporization
thus increasing the incidence of skin made them very
suitable for refrigeration
cancer.
applications.
Dangerous feedback. If our Earth continues to warm, many changes could occur.
Some could accelerate the increase in atmospheric CO2 levels and result in an
acceleration in the rate of global warming.
National Policy on the Environment

Objectives:
A clean, safe, healthy and productive
environment for present and future
generations.

Conservation of the countrys unique and

diverse cultural and natural heritage with
effective participation by all sectors of
society.

Sustainable life styles and patterns of

consumption and production.
The Necessity of Chemical Analysis

Recognition of the Problem

Monitoring to Determine the Extent of the

Problem

Determination of Control Procedures

Legislation to Ensure the Control Procedures

are Implemented

Monitoring to Ensure the Problem has been

Controlled.
Trace analysis
What is the definition of trace component??
IUPAC - the limit from which we can talk about trace
analysis is the concentration of 100 ppm (100 g/g).
Even today the determination of components at a
concentration level of 100 ppm, even in samples with
complex matrices, does not pose major problems
and is done routinely in many laboratories rapid
development of instrumentation!!!
The definition of the term trace component to change
again soon..
Common problems in trace analysis - ?????
 Trace Analysis

Trace analysis arises out the

necessities to detect very
low concentrations of
various elements of
interest (analyte) in
large sample matrix.
 Analyte

Element or species
whose concentration
is to be determined
in a sample matrix.
 Interference

Species that affect

(increase or decrease in
the size of) the signal
obtained from the analyte
as a result of the
presence of some other
known or unknown
component in the matrix.
 Matrix

The medium that

contains an analyte
whose concentration is
to be determined.
Step in a analysis
Factors to consider in choosing a
method
a) Nature of sample;
b) Accuracy and precision
required;
c) Available quantity of
sample;
d) Estimated concentration
range;
e) Possible interferences;
f) Availability of standards;
g) Number of samples to be
analyzed;
h) Cost of analysis;
i) Availability of suitable
equipment
Selection of a trace method

In-house methods
Methods published in the open scientific
literature.
Methods in books published by professional
organizations (e.g: RSC).
Methods from standards organizations (e.g:
ISO, ASTM, SIRIM,BSI).
Factors affecting the choice of
analytical method
Limit of detection (LOD)
Accuracy
Precision
Speed
Equipment required
Sample size
Cost
Safety
Specificity
MAIN SOURCES OF ERROR IN
TRACE ANALYSIS
Loses or degradation of analyte

Sampling

Contamination

Calibration

Method used

Interferences