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Provisional Recommendations

Analytical Chemistry Division
Commission on Microchemical Techniques and Trace Analysis

Chemistry and the Environment Division
Commission on Fundamental Environmental Chemistry

Chemistry and Human Health Division
Commission on Toxicology

IUPAC Guidelines for Terms Related to Chemical Speciation and Fractionation of Trace Elements: Definitions, Structural Aspects, and Methodological Approaches

The effect of trace elements in living systems, in food, and in the environment depends on the chemical form in which the element enters the system and the final form in which it is present. It is necessary to determine the various forms in which the trace element is present to meet pressing occupational, environmental, regulatory, and economic needs for understanding mobility, bioavailability, storage, retention, and toxicity. In an attempt to end the present confusion regarding the usage of the term speciation, three IUPAC Commissions collaborated to evaluate this issue. This paper presents definitions for the concepts related to speciation of trace elements, more particularly speciation analysis and species in chemistry. A categorization of species is proposed according to the isotopic composition of the element, its oxidation state, the inorganic compounds and organic complexes of which the trace element forms a part, and its occurrence as an organometallic compound or as a macromolecular complex. A general outline is given of the analytical methods used in speciation analysis, including (with definition) fractionation. An outline of methodology of dynamic metal speciation analysis and of methodological approaches available for speciation analysis is also presented.

Comments by 29 February 2000
To Dr. Rita Cornelis
Instituut voor Nucleaire Wetenschappen
Faculteit van de Wetenschappen
Rijksuniversiteit-Gent Proeftuinstraat 86
B-9000 Gent, Belgium

Tel.: +32-9-264-66-26
Fax: +32-9-264-66-99
E-mail: [email protected]

> Project Description


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