Micelle-Mediated Extraction of Heavy Metals from Environmental Samples: An Environmental Green Chemistry Laboratory Experiment

Dimosthenis L. Giokas , Evangelos K. Paleologos and Miltiades I. Karayannis
Department of Chemistry, Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry, University of Ioannina, Ioannina 45110, Greece
J. Chem. Educ., 2003, 80 (1), p 61
DOI: 10.1021/ed080p61
Publication Date (Web): January 1, 2003

Abstract

A new laboratory experiment in which students extract and analyze several metallic contaminants from environmental samples is presented. The experimental procedure employs extraction of the target analytes by using an environmentally-benign preconcentrating technique prior to the identifications, which are carried out with a flame atomic absorption spectrometer. The extraction procedure employs complexation of the metallic species via a chelating agent, entrapment and solubilization via micelle formation, and isolation via phase separation when the solution temperature is raised. The overall process involves preparation of standard solutions and construction of a calibration curve, analysis of water samples, and evaluation of the matrix effect, through the analysis of several spiked samples. As a part of the evaluation protocol, a reference sample is also analyzed. Students become familiar with basic principles of analytical, environmental, and green chemistry through a "real world" application.

Keywords (Audience):

First-Year Undergraduate / General

Keywords (Domain):

Analytical Chemistry

Keywords (Pedagogy):

Problem Solving / Decision Making

Keywords (Subject):

Atomic Spectroscopy

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History

  • Received: August 03, 2009

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