Total Analysis & Speciation of Aluminium in Water Sample.

Source : http://www.aluminiumleader.com

1. As we know, most standard chemical analytical methods determine the total amount of an element in the water sample. The same goes to Aluminium (Al)

2. In most laboratory and in situ test, ICP-MS and Spectrophotometer will be used. The sample is typically digested where all analytes are transferred to its aqueous form prior to analysis.

3. Speciation is differ from Total Analysis. Speciation is a specific form of an element defined as to isotopic composition, electronic or oxidation state, and/or complex or molecular structure.

4. The bioavailability of metals and their physiological and toxicological effects depend on the actual species present – not on the total concentration.

"Example : Inorganic Al (Al3+, AlOH etc) are more toxic to aquatic organism than Al bound to organic ligand (Al-F, Al-C etc)"

6. Toxicity of Al is associated with the form present in aquatic ecosystem. In such ecosystem, Al exist mainly as :

Free Al3+, AlOH2+, etc (More toxic)

Al-F, Al-C etc (Less toxic)

7. More info on aluminum in drinking water can be obtained from WHO website.