Functionalized cellulose sorbents for preconcentration of trace metals in environmental analysis

Regardless the progress in detectability of various instrumentation for tra ce metal determination, the preconcentration steps are very often needed fo r the analysis of environmental samples. Among the different techniques tha t can be used for this purpose, solid-phase extraction using various sorben ts has been developed very intensively in recent years. Besides preconcentr ation, it can also be used for matrix removal necessary in some procedures or for the speciation of trace elements. This review is based on 42 literature references and shows favorable proper ties of cellulose sorbents for this purpose. Depending on the functional gr oups attached, the sorbent can be directly used for sorption of target anal ytes or can be loaded with ligands specifically binding certain species. Ap plications are reviewed for conventional batch procedures, flow-injection s ample processing, and speciation of certain trace elements.