Speciation of trace metals in the environment

Abstract

With the recognition of the importance of metal speciation in many areas of environmental study, there has been a tremendous increase in research to aid our understanding of the role of specific metal species in terms of toxicity, bioavailability, bioaccumulation, mobility and persistence in the environment. In turn this has led to the development of analytical techniques that are both sensitive and specific to meet this challenge. This review provides an overview of trace metal speciation in the environment, an insight into some of the analytical techniques that are suitable for metal speciation studies on environmental samples, and a more detailed look at some selected elements for which the environmental chemistry has now been better characterised.