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Advances in Trace Element Analysis: Techniques and Applications
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Advances in Trace Element Analysis: Techniques and Applications

A special issue of Molecules (ISSN 1420-3049). This special issue belongs to the section "Analytical Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 1861

Special Issue Editor

Dr. Davide Spanu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Dipartimento di Scienza e Alta Tecnologia, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, 22100 Como, Italy
Interests: analytical chemistry; ICP-MS; trace elements; speciation analysis; microplastics; environmental monitoring; pollutant degradation
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Trace elements play a critical role in various environmental, biological, and industrial processes. Advances in analytical techniques have significantly improved our ability to detect, quantify, and speciate trace elements, providing deeper insights into their environmental behavior, bioavailability, and potential health risks. This Special Issue aims to highlight recent developments in trace element analysis, including innovative instrumental methods, sample preparation strategies, and approaches to the interpretation of data.

We welcome contributions that explore innovative techniques such as atomic spectrometry, mass spectrometry, chromatography, and hyphenated methods for trace element detection and speciation. This Special Issue will pay particular attention to emerging applications in environmental monitoring, food safety, human health, and material sciences.

By compiling cutting-edge research, this Special Issue aims to foster a deeper understanding of trace element dynamics and promote advancements in analytical methodologies that support the assessment of environmental and human health.

Dr. Davide Spanu
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Molecules is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2700 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • trace element analysis
  • speciation techniques
  • environmental monitoring
  • atomic spectrometry
  • mass spectrometry
  • chromatography
  • bioavailability
  • environmental impact

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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Research

22 pages, 4587 KB  
Article
Evaluation of Filter Types for Trace Element Analysis in Brake Wear PM10: Analytical Challenges and Recommendations
by Aleandro Diana, Mery Malandrino, Riccardo Cecire, Paolo Inaudi, Agnese Giacomino, Ornella Abollino, Agusti Sin and Stefano Bertinetti
Molecules 2025, 30(24), 4816; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30244816 - 18 Dec 2025
Viewed by 411
Abstract
Accurate analysis of trace elements in particulate matter (PM) emitted by brake systems critically depends on the filter selection and handling processes, which can significantly impact analytical results due to contamination and elemental interference from filter elemental composition. This study systematically evaluated two [...] Read more.
Accurate analysis of trace elements in particulate matter (PM) emitted by brake systems critically depends on the filter selection and handling processes, which can significantly impact analytical results due to contamination and elemental interference from filter elemental composition. This study systematically evaluated two widely used filter types, EMFAB (borosilicate glass microfiber reinforced with PTFE) and Teflon (PTFE), for their suitability in the trace element determination of brake-wear PM10 collected using a tribometer set-up. A total of twenty-three PM10 samples were analyzed, encompassing two different friction materials, to thoroughly assess the performance and analytical implications of each filter type. Filters were tested for their chemical background, handling practicality and potential contamination risk through extensive elemental analysis by inductively coupled plasma–optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Additionally, morphological characterization of both filter types was conducted via scanning electron microscopy (SEM) coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS) to elucidate structural features affecting particle capture and subsequent analytical performance. Significant differences emerged between the two filters regarding elemental interferences: EMFAB filters exhibited substantial background contribution, particularly for alkali and alkaline earth metals (Ca, Na, Mg and K), complicating accurate quantification at trace levels. Conversely, Teflon filters demonstrated considerably lower background but required careful manipulation due to their structural fragility and the necessity to remove supporting rings, potentially introducing analytical variability. Statistical analysis confirmed that the filter material significantly affects elemental quantification, particularly when the collected PM10 mass is limited, highlighting the importance of careful filter selection and handling procedures. Recommendations for optimal analytical practices are provided to minimize contamination risks and enhance reliability in trace element analysis of PM10 emissions. These findings contribute to refining analytical methodologies essential for accurate environmental monitoring and regulatory assessments of vehicular non-exhaust emissions. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trace Element Analysis: Techniques and Applications)
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16 pages, 1233 KB  
Article
Elemental Composition and Strontium Isotopic Ratio Analysis of Industrial Hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) for Textile Applications
by Mirco Rivi, Veronica D’Eusanio, Andrea Marchetti, Emilio Bonfiglioli and Lorenzo Tassi
Molecules 2025, 30(23), 4573; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30234573 - 27 Nov 2025
Viewed by 504
Abstract
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is increasingly valued as a sustainable raw material for textile applications, yet reliable analytical tools to characterize and trace its origin are still limited. This study presents a pilot investigation on the elemental composition and strontium isotopic [...] Read more.
Industrial hemp (Cannabis sativa L.) is increasingly valued as a sustainable raw material for textile applications, yet reliable analytical tools to characterize and trace its origin are still limited. This study presents a pilot investigation on the elemental composition and strontium isotopic ratio (87Sr/86Sr) of Italian industrial hemp samples, with the aim of evaluating their potential as chemical markers for geographic traceability. Hemp stalks and fibers collected from different Italian regions were finely ground, mineralized using microwave-assisted digestion, and analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), inductively coupled-plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and multicollector ICP-MS (MC-ICP-MS). The analytical protocol was validated using certified reference materials, showing recoveries between 95.7% and 102.1%. The measured 87Sr/86Sr ratios ranged from 0.7085 to 0.7105, with consistent intra-sample reproducibility and values reflecting regional geochemical backgrounds. Elemental profiling revealed marked variability among samples, particularly Sr, Ca, Fe, and trace metals. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) indicated partial clustering according to geographical origin, distinguishing northern from southern Italian samples. Heavy-metal concentrations (Hg, Pb, Cd) were well below international textile safety thresholds, confirming the environmental sustainability of local hemp cultivation. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trace Element Analysis: Techniques and Applications)
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14 pages, 1041 KB  
Article
Development and Comparison of New Voltammetric Procedures for the Determination of In(III) Using ASV and AdSV Techniques with SBiµE as an Green Working Electrode
by Malgorzata Grabarczyk and Wieslawa Cwikla-Bundyra
Molecules 2025, 30(22), 4377; https://doi.org/10.3390/molecules30224377 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 526
Abstract
The article describes innovative procedures for determining In(III) using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) and adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) with cupferron as a chelating agent. In both procedures, an environmentally friendly solid bismuth microelectrode (SBiµE) with a diameter of 25 µm was used as [...] Read more.
The article describes innovative procedures for determining In(III) using anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV) and adsorptive stripping voltammetry (AdSV) with cupferron as a chelating agent. In both procedures, an environmentally friendly solid bismuth microelectrode (SBiµE) with a diameter of 25 µm was used as the working electrode. In both procedures, 0.1 mol L−1 acetate buffer with a pH of 3.0 ± 0.05 was used as the supporting electrolyte. The electrochemical measurement conditions were as follows: −2.4 V for a 20 s activation step and −1.2 V for a 20 s accumulation step for ASV, and −2.5 V for a 45 s activation step and −0.65 V for a 10 s accumulation step for AdSV. The signal was recorded as a result of a positive potential change from −1.0 to −0.3 V in the case of the ASV procedure and as a result of a negative potential change from −0.4 to −1.0 V in the case of the AdSV procedure. The calibration graph was linear from 5 × 10−9 mol L−1 to 5 × 10−7 mol L−1 with a detection limit of 1.4 × 10−9 mol L−1 for ASV and from 1 × 10−9 mol L−1 to 1 × 10−7 mol L−1 with a detection limit of 3.9 × 10−10 mol L−1 for AdSV. The effect of interferents such as surfactants, humic substances and EDTA on the analytical signal was compared in the case of signal recording using the ASV technique with the signal recorded using the AdSV technique. Based on the results obtained, it was determined how the charge of interferents affects the signal depending on the technique used. To validate the practical application of the developed procedures, an analysis of In(III) recovery from samples of the Baltic Sea and Synthetic Sea Water was performed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Trace Element Analysis: Techniques and Applications)
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