Overview of the current status of sediment chemical analysis: trends in analytical techniques

Abstract

This article reviews selected techniques and current trends in the analysis of contaminants in sediments since the year 2000. Because of the variety of anthropogenic target analytes encountered in sediments, the monograph is separated into inorganic and organic subsections. Practical aspects, including advances in: analysis of standards, biological methods, instrumental methods, modeling aspects, sample preparation and extraction methods, and speciation techniques are discussed. The sediment matrices are complex and require an integrated approach encompassing sampling, preparation, extraction, and analysis steps to reach the detection levels required. Often hyphenated techniques are employed to utilize the multi-resolving and isolation powers of the combined instrumentation. The review mainly focuses on the ability of developing techniques and their approaches and applications not only to solve new problems but also to push detection limits on historically well known inorganic and organic contaminants, while highlighting emerging persistent organic pollutants. The impetus of such research is to obtain a more factual understanding of an ecosystem and overall condition of its habitant in the context of sediments that may act as reservoirs for anthropogenic pollutants. The review is not comprehensive but rather provides an overview of the status of sediment chemical analysis and focuses on the trends in analytical approaches towards analytes of anthropogenic contaminants in sediments.