Exploiting a gradient kinetics and color histogram in a single picture to second order digital imaging data acquisition with MCR-ALS for the arsenic quantification in water

Abstract

This paper put forward, for the first time, a methodology that combines concentration gradients MCR-ALS to carry out the quantification of arsenic in natural waters. For the generation of the concentration profiles, an automatic system in which arsine is extracted from the arsenic present in a single water drop was employed and a strict control over the concentration and rate of reducing agent addition was maintained. This system allows, with the help of digital images, the record of color changes, the exploration of mass transfer mechanism and, simultaneously, the evaluation of kinetic and diffusion profiles offering an increased control over the diffusive portraits at trace concentration levels. Furthermore, from the green analytical chemistry (GAC) point of view, the proposed method is environmental-friendly and economical in comparison with their conventional counterparts. It uses reagent volumes on the order of micro liters. In addition, it was performed in an extremely short experimental time (190 s) with excellent detection limits (0.03 μg L−1) and quantification (0.09 μg L−1) and it has a linear response from 0.05 μg L−1 to 1.00 μg L−1 of arsenic in natural waters.