RECENT DEVELOPMENTS OF PRE-SEPARATION PROCEDURES FOR TRACE-ELEMENTS ANALYSIS OF BIOLOGICAL SPECIMENS

In order to develop on-line systems to preseparate and/or preconcentrate trace elements before their instrumental analysis by spectroscopic techniques such as ETA-AAS and ICP-AES, the chromatographic behaviour of more than 30 elements on some materials was investigated. Materials tested were commercial resins such as Sephadex, Sephacryl, Octyl-Sepharose, Cellex and Biogel generally used for biochemical purposes. The study has been carried out using radiotracers prepared by neutron irradiation in a nuclear reactor or proton bombardment of metallic targets in the JRC-Ispra cyclotron. Neutron activation analysis was also used to gain information about the chemical composition of the resins, a fundamental parameter which largely determines their use for practical purposes. Some needs for the continuation of such research are also suggested.