Course overview

In all fields of Analytical Chemistry, the majority of effort has historically been focused on the lowering of detection limits and widening linear dynamic ranges. Much less attention has been spent on Sample Preparation, though it can be considered as the bottleneck of any method regarding the reliability of the obtained results. The actions involved in Sample Preparation account generally for aprox. 60 % of the time spent on one analysis run and up to 50 % of the possible error of the measurement. This training course centres on recently available techniques which, in comparison to traditionally employed techniques, allow to reduce time necessary for sample treatment from hours to minutes. In particular Ultrasound Probe Sonication, Closed Vessel Microwave Digestion, Pressurized Liquid Extraction, Enzymatic Treatments and combinations of them will be evaluated for speciation analysis of trace metals such as arsenic, selenium and tin. It includes both theoretical and practical teaching units.

This workshop will be held in March 2006 in Madrid and be hosted by the Complutense University of Madrid. Documentation on the methods presented and respective working guidelines will be handed out to all participants.


Program

Content - theory - (1 day)

• Current interest and problems in speciation analysis (J. Ruiz, Oviedo, Spain)
• European legislation and speciation (N. Proust, Thales, France)
• Use of hyphenated techniques (A. Gutierrez, Madrid, Spain)
• Sample treatment in speciation. Use of:
  • Accelerated Solvent Extraction (C. Dietz, Madrid, Spain)
  • Fundamentals, chemometric method optimisation, advantages and drawbacks of commercially available equipment (Dionex, PSE, etc.), current improvements of apparatus, hyphenation to detection, applications in speciation analysis
  • Ultrasound Chemistry: fundamentals, Ultrasonic baths, ultrasound probe sonication, how to assess risk of species interconversion, method optimization, ultrasound versus microwave in analyte extraction.
  • Enzymatic treatments: fundamentals, which enzyme for what purpose, enhencing enzyme action cinetics, inmobilised enzyme approach (on-line coupling), method development, applications in extraction from human samples (hair, nails, etc), foodstuff (rice, lentils) and environmental samples (sediments, soil)
    

Content -Practical exercices -(1day)

Participants will be divided (upon respective preferences) to three different groups, each applying a sample treatment method to a selected sample, followed by separation, detection, data evaluation and report of the results. Method validation will be carried out by analysis of a Certified Reference Material.

Morning session

Application of combined Ultrasound Probe sonication and enzymatic traetment for arsenic species extraction from  human hair (1 group), rice (second group) and sediment (third group).

Extracts will be analysed by all groups using HPLC-ICP-MS

Afternoon Session

Accelerated Solvent Extraction for species selective extraction of Se and Sn from biological samples (mussel, fish tissue), cartridge packing, optimization of relevant parameters, on-line consecutive extraction step. Species separation and simultaneous detection of selnium and tin species will be carried out by HPLC-ICP-MS.

Discussion Forum and closing session


Registration

Maximum number of participants: 12
Course fee: 210 €
The registration includes workshop participation, all meals including the workshop dinner and the workshop's social event.

Deadline for registration: 15.03.2006


Course fee: 210€

 

Please Note! Your registration should have reached us march 15th, at the latest. However, since the number of participants is limited early registration is recommended. Your registration will become binding by the written confirmation of the workshop organiser.
Payments are to be made after receipt of the invoice, where you will find payment deetails included. For cancellations after March 15th no refund is possible. For further inquiries and registration at short notice please call: +34 91 394 4318.

 

 Download the Registration form


Travel planning

Transport
The EVISA course meeting will be held at the campus of the Complutense University of Madrid, Faculty of Chemistry. The nearest metro station is "Ciudad Universitaria"        ( Line Nº 6, "Circular"). A detailed map of the workshop site will be delivered upon registration.

A taxi from the airport to the city centre is aproximately 20-25 €. The best way to get downtown, either from the airport or from the large distance train stations (Atocha, Chamartín) is by Metro, the trip may last about 1 h. A map of the subway network is available at: http://www.metromadrid.es/ , price for a single ticket is 1.00 €, a 10-trip ticket 5.80 €. The latter is as well valid for buses. Further information on public bus transport can be downloaded at : http://www.emtmadrid.es/index.html?lang=eng.
A searchable road map of the capital can be found at: http://callejero.paginasamarillas.es/home.asp.

Accomodation
Participants are requested to search a hotel by their own. A big variety of hotels and hostals in Madrid can be found at http://www.hotelclub.net.
If you need help or advice please contact the workshop helpdesk at: cdietz@quim.ucm.es


Further Information

Download information in Spanish