Download System and Methods for the Quantitative Chemical Speciation of

System and Methods for the Quantitative Chemical
Speciation of Mercury Compounds
Overview:
The intellectual property relates to a system for the quantitative chemical speciation of mercury or other metal
pollutants in air or liquid samples. Determining mercury speciation is important for understanding its
biogeochemical cycling and environmental impact. A schematic representation of the system is shown in
Figure 1. The system consists of a sample collection interface which is mounted on a modified mass
spectrometer to obtain qualitative and quantitative chemical speciation data for mercury contained in the
sample. An air sample is guided by a series of valves either directly through to the interface inlet or to a Cold
Vapor Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometer (CVAFS), where total mercury is measured. A sample entering the
interface directly or from the CVAFS is then collected on any one of the channels designated a-d in Figure 1,
where the analyte is concentrated on particulate surfaces contained inside a flow tube.
Figure 1: A schematic representation of a mercury speciation interface. The pathways (a-d) allow the
examination of collection efficiency and method comparisons. The flow systems a-d can be activated alone
or in parallel. Single or multistage filters as well as back pressure design will separate aerosols.
The need:
Mercury compounds are toxic pollutants that are amongst the most highly bio-magnified and bio-accumulated
trace molecules in the environment and human food chain. The three atmospheric forms of mercury are:
gaseous elemental mercury (GEM), gaseous oxidized mercury (GOM) and particulate associated mercury
(PHg). Methods for the determination of total mercury are available; but routine chemical speciation of mercury
(GOM) enabling assessment of global cycling remains underserved. As demand for more accuracy in
information grows, so will the need for trace metals speciation.
Characteristics:
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Adaptable interface.
High resolution detection limits.
Stable analytical matrix
Unmet need for routine chemical speciation.
Inventors: Ariya A. P. et al.
Profile:
Dr. Parisa Ariya
Associate Professor Chemistry and Atmospheric & Oceanic Sciences; McGill University
MPI Postdoctoral Fellow (Max-Planck Institute for Chemistry-Atmospheric Chemistry (1996-1998)
Ph.D. (Centre for Atmospheric Chemistry, York University, 1996)
B.Sc. (York University, 1992
FCAR Strategic Professor-Scientist
William Dawson Scholar (McGill equivalent to CRC II) 2001-2006, and 2006-2011)
Research:
Investigation of transformations of organic compounds and trace metal pollutants in the atmosphere and at
atmosphere/water/snow interfaces. Identifying atmospheric processes contributes to understanding the
complexity of air pollution, airborne particulate matter and its impact on health. We perform high sensitivity
measurements of trace compounds to characterize chains of chemical reactions and nucleation processes,
both in the atmosphere and at air/water/snow interfaces. Further research activities include complementary
computational and atmospheric chemical modeling of the reaction intermediates in the atmosphere to simulate
the complex physical-bio-chemical interactions. A further focus is the development of innovative green
chemistry methods and techniques for sequestration of pollutants
Katya Marc M.Eng., MB
Office of Sponsored Research
McGill University
Tel: 514-398-3355
Email: katya.marc@mcgill.ca
Reference code: 10025
Opportunity: exclusive license or research collaboration