Determination of selenium species in porewater and sediment samples by hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry and high performance liquid chromatography

Two very sensitive techniques were used to analyze selenium species in porewater and sediment samples of lakes. One technique combined hydride generation atomic absorption spectrometry (HGAAS) to a system of cooling traps designed to remove water and preconcentrate the selenium hydride before analysis. The second technique involved the complexation of selenite with 2,3-diaminonaphtalene (DAN), the separation of the complex by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and the detection by fluorimetry. Both techniques were characterized by very good precision and accuracy. These techniques were applied to the speciation of Se in porewater and sediments from the Sudbury region.