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Speciation Analysis – A Key Focus in Analytical Chemistry

(13.05.2025)


Although the number of recent publications suggests a plateau in growth over the past two years (see the figure below), this may reflect a maturing field rather than a decline in interest. Speciation analysis is progressively embedded into routine practices and is recognized as part of the state-of-the-art in analytical science.

Development of the publications related to speciation analysis

While it may not receive the same level of hype as fields like nanotechnology or artificial intelligence, its relevance continues to grow, especially in interdisciplinary and application-driven contexts. Its impact spans multiple domains:

Environmental Chemistry
Elemental species such as arsenic (As(III) vs. As(V)) or mercury (methylmercury vs. inorganic mercury) exhibit vastly different environmental behaviors and toxicities. Speciation analysis provides essential insights into emission sources, transformation processes, degradation pathways, and environmental fate, supporting effective risk assessment and regulation.


Life Sciences
In biological systems, understanding the metabolism, function, and toxicity of trace and mineral elements requires speciation data. Such information is critical for elucidating biochemical pathways and physiological roles of metal ions and complexes.


Biomedical Applications
In clinical and pharmaceutical research, speciation analysis is indispensable for studying metal-based drugs (e.g., platinum-based chemotherapeutics). Therapeutic efficacy and toxicity often depend on the specific species present, and speciation aids in understanding metabolic transformations and mechanisms of action.

Nutrition and Food Science
Speciation analysis is fundamental in assessing both the nutritional value and health risks associated with foodstuffs. It allows for the differentiation between essential and toxic species (e.g., selenium vs. selenite), and serves as a powerful tool for food characterization and authenticity testing.

Materials Science
In material development and characterization, understanding the distribution and chemical forms of elements is key to optimizing performance. Speciation data informs the structure-property relationships that define materials’ chemical reactivity, durability, and functionality.

Analytical Chemistry
The analytical challenge of differentiating and quantifying individual species has driven the development of hyphenated techniques, where selective separation methods (e.g., HPLC, GC, CE) are combined with sensitive detection tools (e.g., ICP-MS). These advancements have significantly enhanced the accuracy, sensitivity, and applicability of speciation analysis.


Regulatory and Policy Framework
Speciation analysis is increasingly recognized by regulatory bodies. Emerging environmental and health regulations now often require species-specific data, acknowledging that total element concentrations alone are insufficient for comprehensive risk assessments.


Looking Ahead

Although the rate of methodological publications may slow as the field matures, the range of applications is set to expand. Speciation analysis will continue to underpin critical research and regulatory decisions across sectors—offering a level of insight that total element analysis simply cannot provide.
   
Michael Sperling

Related EVISA Resources

About Speciation 

   Why should elemental speciation be done ?

   Why is elemental speciation analysis not done routinely ?

   Speciation analysis as a tool to enhance the quality of life

   Speciation and Toxicity

   How did elemental speciation develop ?

   Speciation matters even if the interest is in total element concentration

   Species of interest

   Types of chemical ppecies

   The role of elemental speciation in legislation

   What is the use for total element concentrations ?


Research fields related to elemental speciation

   Chemical speciation analysis for the life sciences

   Chemical speciation analysis for nutrition and food science

   Trace element speciation analysis for environmental sciences

   Speciation analysis for the study of metallodrugs and their biomolecular interactions

   The Role of speciation analysis in material science

   Speciation analysis for cancer diagnosis


Speciation Analysis - Striving for Quality

   Problems to be solved in the field of speciation analysis

   Error sources in speciation analysis - Overview

   Sample preservation for speciation analysis - General recommendations

   Species transformation during speciation analysis

   Certified Reference Materials for Chemical Speciation Analysis

   Standard methods for elemental speciation analysis


Tools for elemental speciation analysis

   ICP-MS - A versatile detection system for speciation analysis

   LC-ICP-MS - The most often used hyphenated system for speciation analysis

   GC-ICP-MS

   CE-ICP-MS for speciation analysis

   ESI-MS: The tool for the identification of species

   Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry as a Detection System for Speciation Analysis

   Fractionation as a first step towards speciation analysis

   Flow-injection inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for speciation analysis

   Gel electrophoresis combined with laser ablation ICP-MS for speciation analysis

   Non-chromatographic separation techniques for speciation analysis

   Liquid-liquid extraction in speciation analysis

   Solid-phase extraction in speciation analysis

   Mercury 'speciation analysis' by using thermal desorption analysis

   Multielement speciation analysis

   Chemical speciation modelling

    Isotope dilution analysis using ICP-MS detection for trace element speciation

   Chemical vapor generation as a sample introduction technique for speciation analysis

   Nanoparticles - a target for speciation analysis

   Isotopic measurements and speciation analysis

   The role of electrochemical techniques for speciation analysis



last time modified: May 13, 2025



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