Ion chromatography system for multi-element speciation analysis

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Because the toxicity of elements, such as arsenic, selenium and chromium, depends on their chemical form, knowing the total concentration of elements is insufficient for risk assessment, which requires identification and measurement of the different chemical forms present. In fact, in the case of the food that we eat or the airborne particulate matter contained in the air that we breathe, measurement of the chemical forms that are bio-accessible, i.e. soluble in the gastro-intestinal tract or in lung fluid, is a better way to assess the worst case scenario when everything that is bio-accessible ends up in the blood stream and can exert its toxic effect on the human body. One of the transformative aspects of the proposed research is the development of reliable methods to determine the bio-accessibility and mechanism of incorporation of potentially toxic elements in the environment. For instance, measuring arsenic species in underground waters, lakes and streams in the area of gold mines is essential for understanding the risk to human and ecosystem health, as well as designing an optimal remediation method. This requires both quantifying these elements, determining the processes by which they move and identifying the specific bio-accessible species. The measurement of these species at the very low levels required for tracing them in both the laboratory and field experiments can only be accomplished through the instrument requested, which is to replace an outdated one that keeps breaking down and is no longer supported by the manufacturer. The anticipated benefits to Canada of this equipment and the research resulting therefrom are found in the safety of our food and air, in the health of our natural environment, in the responsible development of mineral resources of our country, and in the fostering of our high-tech industries. This will include simple ways for everyone to increase food safety, such as washing rice before cooking it to reduce its arsenic content. Understanding the processes involved in the dispersion of anthropogenic metals through our ecosystems is critical to our quality of life and will only be possible with the requested instrument that has the ability to separate element species. Detection of ore deposits at depth in Canada requires a much better understanding of the processes by which elements move to the surface to become fixed to phases in soil and specific vegetation organs. The requested infrastructure provides the only technique to prove how metals move in natural systems and how to measure the diversity and chemical form of these elements. The novel protocols resulting from this project can be commercialized by Canadian analytical laboratories who serve the agricultural, mining, environmental, and health care sectors, so that these improvements have commercial potential as well. Another major benefit to Canada is creation of knowledge and expertise in an important emerging field.