A) New Atomic Detectors
Development of new atomic
sources for elemental analysis based on plasmas (microwave induced
plasmas, glow discharges and inductively coupled plasmas). The direct
bulk analysis of as many elements as possible in gases, liquid and
solid samples, along with depth profile analysis of thin layers, is
being actively pursued now with such sources, using both, optical
emission and mass spectrometric analysers for detection.
B) Optical Molecular Sensors
Development
of optical sensors (based on reflectance, fluorescence and phospho-
rescence measurements), usually taking advantage of fiber optics
technology, to construct and apply to real-life situations and problems
in biology, medicine or environmental issues (e.g. optical sensors for
O2, H+, Hg2+, Cd2+, Pb2+, etc).
In this line we collaborate
actively with groups of electronic engineering and physics of Oviedo's
University in order to design, develop, construct and apply those
optical sensors in simple instruments (developed in our own laboratory)
to solve real-life problems of local industry and centers. This
cross-fertilization has proved to be most useful and effective for the
work in this particular analytical field.
C) Hybrid Techniques for Trace Element Speciation
It
is well known by now that the particular chemical form (species) in
which a given element is found will determine eventually this element's
toxicity, biological activity, bioavailability or the environmental
impact of a given toxic metal such as As, Hg, Cd or Pb. Analytical
speciation of trace elements is so arising a huge interest in the most
varied fields including Toxicology, Nutrition, Agriculture, Biology,
Medicine, Food and Environmental Sciences.
Trace element speciation
in real-life samples, to solve problems demanding speciation
information, is a real analytical challenge. It seems clear today, that
to meet this challenge the development of hybrid techniques specially
suited to tackle each particular problem is needed.
Thus, the
coupling of a powerful separation technique (HPLC, CGC or CE) with an
atomic or specific detector (e.g. plasma sources) is probably one of
the harder and more productive lines of the group. Just to give a
flavour of the type of speciation works presently in progress, the
following projects could be mentioned: Speciation of Methylmercury in
water, sediment, fish and human hair (in colaboration with some groups
of Brazil studying Hg contamination of Amazonia) Speciation of
Aluminium in human serum and its application in aluminium
detoxification in renal failure patients suffering long-term
haemodialysis. Speciation of trace elements in human milk, comparing
the speciation values for essential and toxic trace elements in human,
cow and formula milks. Speciation of Selenium in human urine, trying to
identify the selenoaminoacids resulting from selenium catabolism in
humans. Speciation of Tin in rivers and sediments and development of
new Isotopic Dilution based methods for accurate determination of the
individual organotin compounds. Speciation of Cadmium and
Cd-metallothioneins in waters, mussels and fish and its relationship
with heavy metal pollution. Search for biomarkers of inorganic, organic
and hormonal disrupting chemicals contamination.
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