Platinum group elements determination in seawater by ICP - SFMS: initial results

Studies performed on platinum group elements (PGE) in several environmental matrices have already highlighted their diffusion at a planetary level and their potential risk for human health. These elements, especially Rh, Pd and Pt, have been released in the environment over the previous decades, principally by cars equipped with catalytic converters. In order to evaluate their distribution in the environment and to understand their geochemical behaviour, it is important to study these elements also in non-conservative matrices, such as seawater. PGEs are present in seawater at very low levels (usually less then 1 pg/g); only very sensitive instrumentation like ICP-SFMS, permits the determination of these elements in diluted seawater without any other manipulation of samples, reducing the risk of contamination associated with preconcentration techniques.