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Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (30 June 2022) | Viewed by 32346

Special Issue Editors

Institute of Marine Science and Technology, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
Interests: analytical chemistry; analytical methods; electrochemiluminescence; electrochemistry; marine sensors
Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China
Interests: analytical chemistry; chemical sensors; nanosensors; live cell imaging; ion detection
Laboratory of Nuclear Analytical Methods, Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, Dorodna 16, 03-195 Warsaw, Poland
Interests: design of electrochemical sensors and biosensors; flow analysis; liquid chromatography and capillary electrophoresis for environmental; food and clinical analysis; application of chemical analysis in archaeometry; analysis of radionuclides and application of ionizing radiation for water and waste treatment

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Water analysis is becoming increasingly important because of water pollution problems and the global environmental change. It is highly required to develop advanced analytical methods, techniques, and instruments in order to monitor water quality with high precision and accuracy.

This Special Issue, titled “Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis”, aims to invite researchers to share recent advancements related to this topic. These include, but are not limited to, chemical, physical, and physicochemical methods or techniques (such as electrochemistry, fluorometry, colorimetry, chromatography, mass spectrometry, and UV–visible spectrometry) for the analysis of pH, metal ions, anions, dissolved gases, organic matters, etc., in water. Both original research articles and reviews are welcome.

Dr. Wenyue Gao
Dr. Jingying Zhai
Prof. Dr. Marek Trojanowicz
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • analytical methods
  • analytical chemistry
  • water analysis
  • dissolved gases
  • pH
  • metal ions
  • nutrients
  • organic matters

Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

Jump to: Review

16 pages, 2412 KiB  
Article
Risk Assessment in Monitoring of Water Analysis of a Brazilian River
by Luciene Pires Brandão, Vanilson Fragoso Silva, Marcelo Bassi and Elcio Cruz de Oliveira
Molecules 2022, 27(11), 3628; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27113628 - 06 Jun 2022
Cited by 6 | Viewed by 1947
Abstract
This study aimed to introduce non-parametric tests and guard bands to assess the compliance of some river water properties with Brazilian environmental regulations. Due to the heterogeneity of the measurands pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), manganese molar concentration, and Escherichia coli, which [...] Read more.
This study aimed to introduce non-parametric tests and guard bands to assess the compliance of some river water properties with Brazilian environmental regulations. Due to the heterogeneity of the measurands pH, Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD), manganese molar concentration, and Escherichia coli, which could be wrongly treated as outliers, as well as the non-Gaussian data, robust methods were used to calculate the measurement uncertainty. Next, based on guard bands, the compliance assessment was evaluated using this previous uncertainty information. For these four measurands, partial overlaps between their uncertainties and the specification limit could generate doubts about compliance. The non-parametric approach for calculating the uncertainty connected to the guard bands concept classified pH and BOD as “conform”, with a risk to the consumer of up to 4.0% and 4.9%, respectively; in contrast, manganese molar concentration and Escherichia coli were “not conform”, with a risk to the consumer of up to 25% and 7.4%, respectively. The methodology proposed was satisfactory because it considered the natural heterogeneity of data with non-Gaussian behavior instead of wrongly excluding outliers. In an unprecedented way, two connected statistical approaches shed light on the measurement uncertainty in compliance assessment of water analysis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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11 pages, 988 KiB  
Article
The Use of a Solid Bismuth Microelectrode for Vanadium Quantification by Adsorptive Stripping Voltammetry in Environmental Water Samples
by Malgorzata Grabarczyk, Marzena Adamczyk and Edyta Wlazlowska
Molecules 2022, 27(7), 2168; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27072168 - 27 Mar 2022
Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1577
Abstract
This paper presents for the first time the use of an environmentally friendly solid bismuth microelectrode for the voltammetric quantification of V(V) in natural water samples. These studies were designed to replace the film bismuth electrode that had been introduced to eliminate the [...] Read more.
This paper presents for the first time the use of an environmentally friendly solid bismuth microelectrode for the voltammetric quantification of V(V) in natural water samples. These studies were designed to replace the film bismuth electrode that had been introduced to eliminate the conventional sensors based on highly toxic mercury. In the proposed procedure, V(V) is preconcentrated at the solid bismuth microelectrode surface via the formation of electroactive complexes with cupferron from a solution of 0.1-mol L−1 acetate buffer, pH = 4.6 at a potential of −0.4 V. The linearity of the calibration graph is in the V(V) concentration range from 8 × 10−10 to 1 × 10−7 mol L−1 with a preconcentration time of 1 min. The limit of detection (calculated as 3 σ) is 2.5 × 10−10 mol L−1 for a preconcentration time of 1 min. It was also demonstrated that significant improvement in analytical parameters was achieved as a result of the activation of the solid electrode surface at a potential of −2.5 V for 2 s. The developed procedure is highly selective for the presence of foreign ions and organic compounds in tested samples. The accuracy of the recommended procedure was checked using SPS-WW1 waste water-certified reference materials of a complex composition, in which the concentration of V(V) determined by the proposed method was 95.1 ± 1.6 ng mL−1. Moreover, in keeping with the outlined procedure, river, tap and rain water samples were analyzed without any pretreatment, and recovery values from 96% to 106% were obtained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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16 pages, 1256 KiB  
Article
Occurrence and Risk Assessment of Polybrominated Diphenyl Ethers in Surface Water and Sediment of Nahoon River Estuary, South Africa
by Chinemerem Ruth Ohoro, Abiodun Olagoke Adeniji, Lucy Semerjian, Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh and Omobola Oluranti Okoh
Molecules 2022, 27(3), 832; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27030832 - 27 Jan 2022
Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2676
Abstract
The concentrations, potential sources, and compositional profile of PBDEs in the surface water and sediment of Nahoon Estuary, East London, South Africa, were investigated with solid-phase extraction and ultra-sonication, respectively, followed by gas-chromatography-electron capture detection. The seasonal range of the contaminants’ concentrations in [...] Read more.
The concentrations, potential sources, and compositional profile of PBDEs in the surface water and sediment of Nahoon Estuary, East London, South Africa, were investigated with solid-phase extraction and ultra-sonication, respectively, followed by gas-chromatography-electron capture detection. The seasonal range of the contaminants’ concentrations in water and sediment samples in spring season were ∑PBDE 329 ± 48.3 ng/L (25.32–785 ng/L) and ∑PBDE 4.19 ± 0.35 ng/g dw (1.91–6.57 ng/g), but ∑PBDE 62.1 ± 1.50 ng/L (30.1–110 ng/L) and ∑PBDE 65.4 ± 15.9 ng/g dw (1.98–235 ng/g) in summer, respectively. NH1 (first sampling point) was the most contaminated site with PBDE in the Estuary. The potential source of pollution is attributed to the stormwater runoff from a creek emptying directly into the Estuary. This study’s dominant PBDE congener is BDE-17, ranging from below detection limit to 247 ng/L and 0.14–32.1 ng/g in water and sediment samples, respectively. Most detected at all the sites were BDE-17, 47, 66, and 100. Most BDE-153 and 183 are found in sediment in agreement with the fact that higher brominated congeners of PBDE adsorb to solid materials. There was no correlation between the congeners and organic carbon and organic matter. However, the human health risk assessment conducted revealed that the PBDE concentration detected in the estuary poses a low eco-toxicological risk. Nevertheless, constant monitoring should be ensured to see that the river remains safe for the users, as it serves as a form of recreation to the public and a catchment to some neighbourhoods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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13 pages, 4601 KiB  
Article
Lead Assays with Smartphone Detection Using a Monolithic Rod with 4-(2-Pyridylazo) Resorcinol
by Piyanat Issarangkura Na Ayutthaya, Chonnipa Yeerum, Kullapon Kesonkan, Kanokwan Kiwfo, Kate Grudpan, Norio Teshima, Hiroya Murakami and Monnapat Vongboot
Molecules 2021, 26(18), 5720; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26185720 - 21 Sep 2021
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2024
Abstract
A monolithic rod of polyurethane foam–[4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol] (PUF–PAR) as a simple chemical sensor for lead assays with smartphone detection and image processing was developed. With readily available simple apparatus such as a plastic cup and a stirrer rod, the monolithic PUF rod was [...] Read more.
A monolithic rod of polyurethane foam–[4-(2-pyridylazo) resorcinol] (PUF–PAR) as a simple chemical sensor for lead assays with smartphone detection and image processing was developed. With readily available simple apparatus such as a plastic cup and a stirrer rod, the monolithic PUF rod was synthesized in a glass tube. The monolithic PUF–PAR rod could be directly loaded by standard/sample solution without sample preparation. A one-shot image in G/B value from a profile plot in ImageJ for a sample with triplicate results via a single standard calibration approach was obtained. A linear single standard calibration was: [G/B value] = −0.038[µg Pb2+] + 2.827, R2 = 0.95 for 10–30 µg Pb2+ with a limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 33 µg L−1. The precision was lower than 15% RSD. The proposed method was tested by an assay for Pb2+ contents in drinking water samples from Bangkok. The results obtained by the proposed method agree with those of ICP-OES and with 100–120% recovery, demonstrating that the method is useful for screening on-site water monitoring. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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16 pages, 1670 KiB  
Article
New Strategies for the Simple and Sensitive Voltammetric Direct Quantification of Se(IV) in Environmental Waters Employing Bismuth Film Modified Glassy Carbon Electrode and Amberlite Resin
by Małgorzata Grabarczyk and Marzena Adamczyk
Molecules 2021, 26(14), 4130; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26144130 - 07 Jul 2021
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1798
Abstract
An analytical procedure regarding the determination of selenium(IV) by anodic stripping voltammetry exploiting the in situ plated bismuth film electrode is described. Since organics are commonly present in untreated natural water samples, the use of Amberlite XAD-7 resin turns out to be quite [...] Read more.
An analytical procedure regarding the determination of selenium(IV) by anodic stripping voltammetry exploiting the in situ plated bismuth film electrode is described. Since organics are commonly present in untreated natural water samples, the use of Amberlite XAD-7 resin turns out to be quite important to avoid problems such as the adsorption of these compounds on the working electrode. The optimum circumstances for the detection of selenium in water using differential pulse voltammetry techniques were found to be as follows: 0.1 mol L−1 acetic acid, 1.9 × 10−5 mol L−1 Bi(III), 0.1 g Amberlite XAD-7 resin, and successive potentials of −1.6 V for 5 s and −0.4 V for 60 s, during which the in situ formation of the bismuth film on glassy carbon and the accumulation of selenium took place. The current of the anodic peak varies linearly with the selenium concentration ranging from 3 × 10−9 mol L−1 to 3 × 10−6 mol L−1 (r = 0.9995), with a detection limit of 8 × 10−10 mol L−1. The proposed procedure was used for Se(IV) determination in certified reference materials and natural water samples, and acceptable results and recoveries were obtained. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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Review

Jump to: Research

31 pages, 4019 KiB  
Review
Flow-Injection Methods in Water Analysis—Recent Developments
by Marek Trojanowicz and Marta Pyszynska
Molecules 2022, 27(4), 1410; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27041410 - 19 Feb 2022
Cited by 13 | Viewed by 3276
Abstract
Widespread demand for the analysis and control of water quality and supply for human activity and ecosystem sustainability has necessitated the continuous improvement of water analysis methods in terms of their reliability, efficiency, and costs. To satisfy these requirements, flow-injection analysis using different [...] Read more.
Widespread demand for the analysis and control of water quality and supply for human activity and ecosystem sustainability has necessitated the continuous improvement of water analysis methods in terms of their reliability, efficiency, and costs. To satisfy these requirements, flow-injection analysis using different detection methods has successfully been developed in recent decades. This review, based on about 100 original research papers, presents the achievements in this field over the past ten years. Various methodologies for establishing flow-injection measurements are reviewed, together with microfluidics and portable systems. The developed applications mostly concern not only the determination of inorganic analytes but also the speciation analysis of different elements, and the determination of several total indices of water quality. Examples of the determination of organic residues (e.g., pesticides, phenolic compounds, and surfactants) in natural surface waters, seawater, groundwater, and drinking water have also been identified. Usually, changes in the format of manual procedures for flow-injection determination results in the improvement of various operational parameters, such as the limits of detection, the sampling rate, or selectivity in different matrices. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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21 pages, 4167 KiB  
Review
Analytical Evaluation of Carbamate and Organophosphate Pesticides in Human and Environmental Matrices: A Review
by Nonkululeko Landy Mdeni, Abiodun Olagoke Adeniji, Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh and Omobola Oluranti Okoh
Molecules 2022, 27(3), 618; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27030618 - 18 Jan 2022
Cited by 52 | Viewed by 6104
Abstract
Pesticides are synthetic compounds that may become environmental contaminants through their use and application. The high productivity achieved in the agricultural industry can be credited to the use and application of pesticides by way of pest and insect control. As much as pesticides [...] Read more.
Pesticides are synthetic compounds that may become environmental contaminants through their use and application. The high productivity achieved in the agricultural industry can be credited to the use and application of pesticides by way of pest and insect control. As much as pesticides have a positive impact on the agricultural industry, some disadvantages come with their application in the environment because they are intentionally toxic, and this is more towards non-target organisms. They are grouped into chlorophenols, organochlorines, synthetic pyrethroid, carbamates, and organophosphorus based on their structure. The symptoms of exposure to carbamate (CM) and organophosphates (OP) are similar, although poisoning from CM is of a shorter duration. The analytical evaluation of carbamate and organophosphate pesticides in human and environmental matrices are reviewed using suitable extraction and analytical methods. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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18 pages, 855 KiB  
Review
Spatiotemporal Distribution and Analysis of Organophosphate Flame Retardants in the Environmental Systems: A Review
by Sinozuko Hope Bika, Abiodun Olagoke Adeniji, Anthony Ifeanyi Okoh and Omobola Oluranti Okoh
Molecules 2022, 27(2), 573; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules27020573 - 17 Jan 2022
Cited by 11 | Viewed by 3157
Abstract
In recent times, there has been a cumulative apprehension regarding organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) owing to their high manufacturing and usage after brominated flame retardants were strictly regulated and banned from being distributed and used in many countries. OPFRs are known as the [...] Read more.
In recent times, there has been a cumulative apprehension regarding organophosphate flame retardants (OPFRs) owing to their high manufacturing and usage after brominated flame retardants were strictly regulated and banned from being distributed and used in many countries. OPFRs are known as the main organic pollutants in the terrestrial and aquatic environment. They are very dangerous to humans, plants and animals. They are also carcinogenic and some have been implicated in neurodevelopmental and fertility challenges. OPFRs are distributed into the environment through a number of processes, including the usage, improper disposal and production of materials. The solid phase extraction (SPE) method is suggested for the extraction of OPFRs from water samples since it provides high quality recoveries ranging from 67% to 105% and relative standard deviations (RSDs) below 20%. In the same vein, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) is highly advocated for the extraction of OPFRs from sediment/soil. Recoveries in the range of 78% to 105% and RSDs ranging from 3% to 8% have been reported. Hence, it is a faster method of extraction for solid samples and only demands a reduced amount of solvent, unlike other methods. The extract of OPFRs from various matrices is then followed by a clean-up of the extract using a silica gel packed column followed by the quantification of compounds by gas chromatography coupled with a mass spectrometer (GC–MS) or a flame ionization detector (GC-FID). In this paper, different analytical methods for the evaluation of OPFRs in different environmental samples are reviewed. The effects and toxicities of these contaminants on humans and other organisms are also discussed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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37 pages, 3602 KiB  
Review
Application of Capillary Electrophoresis for Determination of Inorganic Analytes in Waters
by Ewa Poboży and Marek Trojanowicz
Molecules 2021, 26(22), 6972; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26226972 - 18 Nov 2021
Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3506
Abstract
Aside from HPLC and GC, capillary electrophoresis (CE) is one of the most important techniques for high-performance separations in modern analytical chemistry. Its main advantages are the possibility of using different detection techniques, the possibility of in-capillary sample processing for preconcentration or derivatization, [...] Read more.
Aside from HPLC and GC, capillary electrophoresis (CE) is one of the most important techniques for high-performance separations in modern analytical chemistry. Its main advantages are the possibility of using different detection techniques, the possibility of in-capillary sample processing for preconcentration or derivatization, and ease of instrumental miniaturization down to the microfluidic scale. Those features are utilized in the separation of macromolecules in biochemistry and in genetic investigations, but they can be also used in determinations of inorganic ions in water analysis. This review, based on about 100 original research works, presents applications of CE methods in water analysis reported in recent decade, mostly regarding conductivity detection or indirect UV detection. The developed applications include analysis of high salinity sea waters, as well as analysis of other surface waters and drinking waters. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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38 pages, 6321 KiB  
Review
Application of Molecularly Imprinted Polymers in the Analysis of Waters and Wastewaters
by Mahmoud G. Metwally, Abdelaziz H. Benhawy, Reda M. Khalifa, Rasha M. El Nashar and Marek Trojanowicz
Molecules 2021, 26(21), 6515; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/molecules26216515 - 28 Oct 2021
Cited by 27 | Viewed by 3488
Abstract
The increase of the global population and shortage of renewable water resources urges the development of possible remedies to improve the quality and reusability of waste and contaminated water supplies. Different water pollutants, such as heavy metals, dyes, pesticides, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), [...] Read more.
The increase of the global population and shortage of renewable water resources urges the development of possible remedies to improve the quality and reusability of waste and contaminated water supplies. Different water pollutants, such as heavy metals, dyes, pesticides, endocrine disrupting compounds (EDCs), and pharmaceuticals, are produced through continuous technical and industrial developments that are emerging with the increasing population. Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) represent a class of synthetic receptors that can be produced from different types of polymerization reactions between a target template and functional monomer(s), having functional groups specifically interacting with the template; such interactions can be tailored according to the purpose of designing the polymer and based on the nature of the target compounds. The removal of the template using suitable knocking out agents renders a recognition cavity that can specifically rebind to the target template which is the main mechanism of the applicability of MIPs in electrochemical sensors and as solid phase extraction sorbents. MIPs have unique properties in terms of stability, selectivity, and resistance to acids and bases besides being of low cost and simple to prepare; thus, they are excellent materials to be used for water analysis. The current review represents the different applications of MIPs in the past five years for the detection of different classes of water and wastewater contaminants and possible approaches for future applications. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Frontiers in Analytical Methods for Water Analysis)
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