Determination of ionic alkyl lead species in marine fauna

Abstract
A method is described for the determination of ionic allcyl lead species in marine fauna. The sample is homogenised in the presence of a mixture of salts which effectively releases the various alkyl lead species which may be present and facilitates their transfer to toluene as a preliminary to back extraction into dilute nitric acid. The differentiation and determination of the alkyl lead species is achieved by differential pulse anodic stripping voltammetry. The efficiency of the extraction procedure has been examined at alkyl lead concentrations up to 2 mgKg−1 as Pb and a detection limit of 0.01 mg Kg−1 established. Typical results obtained from a range of environmental samples are presented.