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Comparison of sample preparation procedures on metal(loid) fractionation patterns in lichens

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Abstract

The effects of different sample preparation strategies and storage on metal(loid) fractionation trends in plant material is largely underresearched. In this study, a bulk sample of lichen Parmotrema austrosinense (Zahlbr.) Hale was analysed for its total extractable metal(loid) content by ICP-MS, and was determined to be adequately homogenous (<5% RSD) for most elements. Several subsets of this sample were prepared utilising a range of sample preservation techniques and subjected to a modified sequential extraction procedure or to total metal extraction. Both experiments were repeated after 1-month storage at 4 °C. Cryogenic freezing gave the best reproducibility for total extractable elemental concentrations between months, indicating this to be the most suitable method of sample preparation in such studies. The combined extraction efficiencies were >82% for As, Cu, Mn, Pb, Sr and Zn but poor for other elements, where sample preparation strategies ‘no sample preparation’ and ‘dried in a desiccator’ had the best extraction recoveries. Cryogenic freezing procedures had a significantly (p < 0.05) negative effect on metal extractability, and is therefore inappropriate for sequential extraction procedures in lichens. Biotransformation over a period of a month is suspected for most elements, with the exception of Sr and Zn, where changes in the fractionation patterns were statistically significant (p < 0.05), indicating the need for minimal delay in sample cleaning and preservation when species fractionation patterns are of interest. This study also shows that the assumption that species stability can be ensured through cryopreservation and freeze drying techniques needs to be revisited.

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Abbreviations

BCR:

Bureau Community of Reference

CRM:

Certified reference material

ICP-MS:

Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

LOD:

Limit of detection

LOQ:

Limit of quantification

MDL:

Method detection limit

PFA:

Perfluoroalkoxy alkane

SET:

Sequential elution technique

XAS:

X-ray absorption spectrometry

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Acknowledgements

The financial assistance of the University of Pretoria and the University of Johannesburg towards this research is hereby acknowledged. The authors would like to thank Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo for allowing the sampling to take place on their premises and PerkinElmer South Africa for their continued support of this project. Opinions expressed and conclusions arrived at are those of the authors and are not necessarily to be attributed to these Universities.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, University of Pretoria, Lynnwood Road, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa

    E. M. Kroukamp & P. B. C. Forbes

  2. Spectrum Central Analytical Facility, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Road, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa

    E. M. Kroukamp

  3. Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Johannesburg, Kingsway Road, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa

    T. W. Godeto

  4. Laboratory Services Branch, Ontario Ministry of the Environment and Climate Change, 125 Resources Road, Toronto, ON, M9P 3V6, Canada

    T. W. Godeto

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  1. E. M. Kroukamp
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Correspondence to P. B. C. Forbes.

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Kroukamp, E.M., Godeto, T.W. & Forbes, P.B.C. Comparison of sample preparation procedures on metal(loid) fractionation patterns in lichens. Environ Monit Assess 189, 451 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-017-6155-4

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