How to Determine Hexavalent Chromium

Chromium (Cr) is a metal with a unique relationship with the environment. While trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) is a necessary nutrient, hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is toxic to humans and aquatic life, posing major environmental and ecological risks.

Recent studies of various ground and drinking water sources have revealed dangerous Cr(VI) levels.

This alarming tendency has piqued the interest of national and international health authorities, including the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which want to know how widespread the problem is.

In 2001, the California Department of Public Health added Cr(VI) to the uncontrolled chemicals requiring monitoring.

According to recent data, 3,107 of 6,565 public wells in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, and Fresno counties had Cr(VI) concentrations above 1 μg/L. The Public Health Goal of 0.02 μg/L was published in July 2011.

The element's nature and sample matrices' diversity make chromium species analysis problematic. Because chromium exists in two oxidation states, it is essential to distinguish between the nutritional Cr(III) and the toxic Cr(VI) in samples.

A (HPLC-ICP-MS) method using the Hamilton PRP-X100 was developed to assess the relative abundance of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) in various sample matrices.

Trivalent chromium (Cr(III)) is stabilized as a chelation complex by incubating the sample in 0.2 mM EDTA at 70 °C. The Cr(III)-EDTA complex is excellent for binding with an anion exchange resin.

The resolution of the two species then becomes a simple isocratic separation. Although UV and conductivity can identify chromium species, inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) is the preferred approach for trace measurement.

1) Cr(VI) and 2) Cr(III) EDTA separation on Hamilton PRP-X100. Experimental Conditions Column: Hamilton PRP-X100, 5 µm, 4.6 x 250 mm Part Number: 79181 Flow Rate: 1.0 mL/min Mobile phase: 2 mM (NH4 )2 CO3 for 0 – 3 min 40 mM (NH4 )2 CO3 for 3 – 14 min 2 mM (NH4 )2 CO3 for 13 – 17 min

1) Cr(VI) and 2) Cr(III) EDTA separation on Hamilton PRP-X100. Image Credit: Hamilton Company

Experimental Conditions. Source: Hamilton Company

. .
Column Hamilton PRP-X100, 5 µm, 4.6 x 250 mm
Part Number 79181
Flow Rate 1.0 mL/min
Mobile phase 2 mM (NH4)2 CO3 for 0 – 3 min
40 mM (NH4)2 CO3 for 3 – 14 min
2 mM (NH4)2 CO3 for 13 – 17 min.
Injection Volume 50 µL, 100 µg/L of each standard
Detection ICP-MS

 

PRP-X100 HPLC Column Ordering Information. Source: Hamilton Company

Column Type Hardware Size (mm) Particle Size
5 µm 10 µm 12 – 20 µm
PRP-X100 2.1 x 150 PEEK 79852    
PRP-X100 4.6 x 150 PEEK 79174 79354  
PRP-X100 4.6 x 250 PEEK 79181 79455  
PRP-X100 Bulk Resin (1 Gram) 79584 79585 79586

 

PRP-X100 HPLC Guard Column Ordering Information. Source: Hamilton Company

Part Number Description
79383 Analytical Guard Column Starter Kit (1 holder, 2 cartridges), PEEK
79385 Analytical Guard Column Replacement Cartridges (5/pk), PEEK

 

Image

This information has been sourced, reviewed and adapted from materials provided by Hamilton Company.

For more information on this source, please visit Hamilton Company.

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