Stripping voltammetry for the determination of trace metal speciation and in-situ measurements of trace metal distributions in marine waters

Progress in marine chemistry has been driven by improved sampling and sampl e handling techniques, and developments in analytical chemistry. Consequent ly, during the last 20 years our understanding of marine trace metal biogeo chemistry has improved a great deal. Stripping voltammetric techniques (ano dic stripping voltammetry and adsorptive cathodic stripping voltammetry) ha ve made an important contribution to this understanding. The selectivity an d extremely low detection limits have made stripping voltammetry a widely u sed technique for trace metal speciation and trace metal distribution measu rements in seawater. Stripping voltammetry is very suitable for ship-board and in-situ applications because of the portability, low cost and capabilit y for automation of the voltammetric instrumentation. Future developments i n stripping voltammetry can be expected in the field of stand-alone submers ible voltammetric analysers, capable of continuous trace metal measurements . Future applications of stripping voltammetry can be found in the interact ions between trace metal speciation and growth and the functioning of organ isms in pristine and metal polluted marine waters. (C) 1999 Elsevier Scienc e B.V. All rights reserved.