DETERMINATION OF ANTIMONY SPECIES WITH HIGH-PERFORMANCE LIQUID-CHROMATOGRAPHY USING ELEMENT-SPECIFIC DETECTION

A new method for the fast and simultaneous determination of Sb(III) an d Sb(V) is presented involving the use of anion exchange high-performa nce liquid chromatography (HPLC), a complexing reagent in the mobile p hase, and element specific detection with flame atomic absorption spec trometry (FAAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-M S). Chromatographic parameters such as nature and concentration of the complexing and eluting compounds and pH of the mobile phase were inve stigated in detail. Additionally, the separation of inorganic Sb(III) and Sb(V) from organically bounded antimony (as (CH3)(3)SbCl2 and (CH3 )(3)Sb(OH)(2)) was investigated by using anion, and cation exchange, a nd reversed phase HPLC. Best separation was obtained with anion exchan ge HPLC under alkaline conditions. Cation exchange and reversed-phase HPLC were not useful for the separation of the above compounds. With F AAS concentrations in the upper mg L-1 range are detectable, which is not sensitive enough for the analyses of environmental samples. When t he chromatographic system was coupled to ICP-MS, the detection limits are in the lower mu g L-1 range. The method was applied to various env ironmental samples with anthropogenic and naturally elevated Sb concen trations.