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Glossary


EVISA is providing a list of terms used in the area of speciation and fractionation analysis. Since speciation analysis is a field of analytical chemistry that is specified by a pronounced interdisciplinary cooperation between different sciences such as biochemistry, medicine, biology, environmental sciences, nutritional sciences and material sciences its terminology is a complex mixture of terms used in all these.

You may search for a term or browse the glossary alphabetically.

(In case that you cannot find the term you may consult more special glossaries or handbooks about nomenclature. For more details please consult EVISA's List of Glossaries)





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A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z


cacodylic acid
Cacodylic acid (also called Dimethylarsinic acid) has the chemical formula (CH3)2AsO2H.

cadmium
Cadmium is a chemical element in the periodic table that has the symbol Cd and atomic number 48. A relatively rare, soft, bluish-white, transition metal, cadmium is known to cause cancer and occurs with zinc ores. Cadmium is used largely in batteries and pigments, for example in plastic products.

calibration
The set of operations which establish, under specified conditions, the relationship between values indicated by a measuring instrument or measuring system and the corresponding known values of the measurand.

calibration graph
Plot of analytical response vs. known mass or concentration of analyte.

Calmodulin
A Ca2+ binding protein involved in metabolic regulation.

capillary column
Refers to chromatography columns with inner diameters less than 0.5 mm.

capillary electrochromatography
Capillary electrochromatography (CEC) is a hybrid technique in which capillary columns are packed with chromatographic sorbents and electroosmotic flow rather than pressure moves mobile phase through the column; technique has the surfacemediated selectivity potential of HPLC and the high efficiency of capillary electrophoresis (CE).

capillary electrophoresis (CE)
Electrophoretic separation technique performed in a small fused silica capillary.

capillary gel electrophoresis
The main separation mechanism in CGE is based on differences in solute size as analytes migrate through the pores of the gel-filled column. Gels are potentially useful for electrophoretic separations mainly because they permit separation based on 'molecular sieving'. They serve as anti-convective media, minimize solute diffusion, which contributes to zone broadening, prevent solute adsorption to the capillary walls and they help to eliminate electroosmosis.

capillary isotachophoesis (CITP)
The main feature of CITP is that it is performed in a discontinuous buffer system. Sample components condense between leading and terminating constituents, producing a steady-state migrating configuration composed of conservative sample zones. This mode of operation is therefore different from other modes of capillary electrophoresis, eg CZE, which are normally carried out in a uniform carrier buffer and is characterized by sample zones which continuously change shape and relative position. In the case of a typical CZE separation, the electropherogram obtained contains sample peaks similar to those obtained in chromatographic separations, whereas in the case of CITP, the isotachopherogram obtained contains a series of steps, with each step representing an analyte zone. Unlike in other CE modes, where the amount of sample present can be determined from the area under the peaks as in chromatography, quantitation in CITP is mainly based on the measured zone length which is proportional to the amount of sample present.

capillary zone electrophoresis
Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE) is an electrophoretic separation technique using an electrolyte-filled capillary. When an electric field is applied across the capillary, ionic species migrate towards the oppositely charged electrode with a linear velocity depending on the electrophoretic mobility of the species in the electrolyte. Because of their solvation, the ion movement drags the bulk solution in the capillary towards the cathode resulting in an electroosmotic flow.

Carbasone
Carbasone was introduced in 1931 as one of the antiprotozoal organoarsenicals against infections with Trichomonas vaginalis  and Entamoeba histolytica. Today it is in use as a antiparasitic food additive for poultry and swine.

Synonyms for Carbasone: N-carbamoylarsanilic acid,  [4-[aminocarbonyl-amino]phenyl] arsonic acid, Amabevan, Ameban, Amibiarson, Arsambide, Carb-O-Sep, Histocarb, Fenarsone, Leucarsone, Aminarsone, Amebarsone

carboplatin
A "second generation" platinum metallodrug effective in cancer chemotherapy that has been approved by the FDA for the treatment of ovarian cancers in 1989. Carboplatin is less toxic than the "first generation" antitumor drug, cisplatin.
 
 
IUPAC  name: cis-diammine(cyclobutane-1,1-dicarboxylato)platinum(II).

carcinogen
A substance or agent that produces or incites cancerous growth.

carcinogenic
Cancer-causing; many agents that are carcinogenic are mutagens (agens that increase the occurence of mutation),

carry-over
a process by which materials are carried into a reaction mixture to which they do not belong. These materials can be either parts of a specimen, or reagents including the diluent or wash solution. In such cases, carry-over means the transfer of material (specimen or reagents) from one container, or from one reaction mixture, to another one. It can be either unidirectional or bidirectional in a series of specimens or assays. The term carry-over effect is used for carry-over from specimen to specimen.

cascade impactor
 - a device that uses a series of impaction stages with decreasing particle cut size so that particles can be separated into fractions having relatively narrow intervals of aerodynamic diameter; used for measuring the aerodynamic size distribution of an aerosol

cathode
The electrode where reduction occurs in an electrochemical cell. It is the negative electrode in an electrolytic cell, while it is the positive electrode in a galvanic cell. The current on the cathode is considered a negative current according to international convention; however, in electroanalytical chemistry the cathodic current is often considered positive. Contrast with anode.

cation
An ion having a positive charge. Atoms of metals, in solution, become cations.

cation exchange capacity
The ability of a solid substance (especially clay minerals) to adsorb cations. The cation exchange capacity of a material represents the total negative charge on the surface of the material and is generally expressed in milliequivalents per 100 g of material (compare with anion exchange capacity).

cation-exchange chromatography
the form of ion-exchange chromatography that uses resins or packing with functional groups that can separate cations. A sulfonic acid would be an example of a strong cation-exchange group; a carboxylic acid would be a weak cation-exchange group.

CCD, charge-coupled device, charge-coupled array
Multi-pixel detector in which potential bias supplied to adjacent portions of a semiconductor create wells in which electrons may be stored during exposure and between which electrons may be transferred during readout.

centrifugation
separation technique based on particle density. By varying the rotation speed and centrifugation times, good separations of suspended and colloidfal particles can be achieved.

certified reference material (CRM)
reference material with a certificate in which some values are certified by a procedure assuring its traceability to the unit in which values are expressed. The certified value is given with an uncertainty at a stated confidence level.

Ceruloplasmin
Ceruloplasmin is a large protein with a molecular weight of 132,000 daltons and the main copper-binding protein in blood plasma. Each molecule will bind six atoms of copper, containing type 1, type 2 and type 3 copper centers, where the type 2 and type 3 are close together, forming a trinuclear copper cluster. Low values of ceruloplasmin are found in Wilson's disease, malnutrition and Menke's kinky hair syndrome. Elevated levels are found during pregnancy, estrogen or anti-seizure drug use, infections, tissue necrosis and trauma.

CFR
Code of Federal Regulations. A collection of the regulations that have been promulgated under U.S. law.

Challenger mechanism
Also called the Challenger scheme, which was proposed by Frederick Challenger. The mechanism is a series of metabolic reduction and oxidative methylation reactions that begin with the reduction of inorganic arsenate to inorganic arsenite and ultimately ends with the formation of trimethylarsine.

chaperone
Proteins that help in folding proteins correctly and discourages incorrect folding. Metallochaperones assists in
the delivery of metal ions to target proteins or compartments.

charge state
The charge state is the imbalance between the number of protons (in the nuclei of the atoms) and the number of electrons that a molecular moiety possesses. If the moiety possesses more protons than electrons, its charge state is positive; if it possesses more electrons than protons its charge state is negative.

charge stripping
Charge stripping is a process by which atomic ions  are transformed into a higher charge state, thereby  changing their mass-to-charge ratios. Different cross sections  for charge stripping of isobaric atomic ions allow their  differentiation and subsequent trace level analysis.  

check standard
A QC sample prepared independently of calibration standards, analyzed exactly like the samples and used to estimate analytical precision and indicate bias due to calibration.

chelate complex
The interaction of a metal ion with a multidendate ligand involving coordination with than one ligand atom. The complex formed has ring structure and is highly stable.

chelating resin
An ion exchange resin in which the counter-ions are retained by a chelate functional group on the resin.

chelation
Chelation involves coordination of more than one sigma-electron pair donor group from the same ligand to the same central atom. The number of coordinating groups in a single chelating ligand is indicated by the adjectives didentate, tridentate, tetradentate, etc..

chelation therapy
The judicious use of chelating (metal binding) agents for the removal of toxic amounts of metal ions from living organisms. The metal ions are sequestered by the chelating agents and are rendered harmless or excreted. Chelating agents such as 2,3-dimercaptopropan-1-ol, ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid, desferrioxamine and D-penicillamine have been used effectively in chelation therapy for arsenic, lead, iron and copper, respectively.

Chelex-100
A commercially available chelating resin, having a styrene-divinylbenzene copolymer incorporating iminodiacetate chelating groups.

chemi-ionization

Chemi-ionization is the reaction of an atom or molecule with an internally excited atom or molecule to form an ion.For example internally excited G reacts with M to form the molecular ion:

G* + M → M+radical dot + e− + G.

chemical conversion
Change from one chemical species to another.

chemical ionization (CI)
CI is a relatively soft ionization method used for mass spectrometry. In positive-ion mode, ionization is effected by ion-molecule reactions occurring between ions generated by electron ionization (EI) of a reagent gas and the neutral molecules of the analyte.

chemical noise
Background signals observed in the mass spectrum originating either from the presence of impurities in the sample or in the sample matrix, or from the presence of extraneous compounds in the absence of analyte.

chemical shifts
small shift in binding energy due to the chemical environment the atom is in.

chemical species
chemical elements: specific form of an elelemt defined as to isotopic composition, electronic or oxidation state, and/or complex or molecular structure

chemical state analysis
Type of speciation analysis, providing information about the oxidation state and coordination environment of an element by using a microbeam or X-ray technique such as XPS or XAFS.

chemically modified electrode (CME)
Electrode with controlled modification of the electrode surface in order to enhance the selectivity and sensitivity.

chemisorption
A chemical adsorption process in which weak chemical bonds are formed between gas or liquid molecules and a solid surface.

chemogenomics
In drug discovery, chemical genomics, or chemogenomics, involves screening chemical compounds against genes or gene products, such as proteins or other targets. Through this functional analysis, researchers hope to elicit gene response, tease out drug candidates, and identify and validate therapeutic targets.

chemometrics
The use of computer science concerned with the application of mathematical and statistical methods to extract chemical and physical information from complex data.

chiral HPLC column
Chiral HPLC columns are made by immobilising single enantiomers onto the stationary phase. Resolution relies on the formation of transient diastereoisomers on the surface of the column packing. The compound which forms the most stable diastereoisomer will be most retained, whereas the opposite enantiomer will form a less stable diastereoisomer and will elute first.

The forces that lead to this interaction are very weak and require careful optimisation by adjustment of the mobile phase and temperature to maximise selectivity. Typically a free energy of interaction difference of only 0.03 kJ/mol between the enantiomers and the stationary phase will lead to resolution.

The effect of temperature is important in chiral HPLC. Lower temperature will increase chiral recognition, but as it alters the kinetics of mass transfer, it may actually make the chromatography worse by broadening peaks. There is often an optimum temperature for a separation and knowledge of this gives the analyst another factor to exploit in the method development process

The type of column used for separating a class of enantiomer is often very specific, this combined with the high cost of chiral columns, makes the choice of which column to use very critical.


chromated copper arsenate
Chromated copper arsenate (CCA) is a chemical wood preservative containing the oxides of copper, chromium, and arsenate. CCA is used in pressure treated wood to protect wood from rotting due to insects and microbial agents.

chromatogram
A plot of detector signal output or sample concentration versus time or elution volume during the chromatographic process.

chromatography
The physical method of separation in which the components to be separated are distributed between two phases, one of which is stationary while the other moves in a definite direction. Chromatography is a widely used for the separation, identification, and determination of the chemical components in complex mixtures.

chromium
a hard, brittle, semi-gray metal. Uses includes alloys and plating element on metal and plastic substrates for corrosion resistance. Protective coating for automotive and equipment accessories.
Hazard: Hexavalent chromium compounds are suspected of producing tumors of the lungs, and nasal cavity. Corrosive action on the skin and mucous membranes.

chromium picolinate
There are some indications that Chromium(III) functions as a co-factor to augment the action of insulin, and thus influences carbohydrate, protein, and fat metabolism (the biologic active chromium-containing species has not yet been identified). Since absorption of chromium(III) is very low, nutritional scientists have looked for a way to enhance its bioavailability.  Picolinate is simply an organic ligand that enhances absorption of chromium from the digestive tract. 

chromophore
A molecule that absorbs  UV or visible light.

chronoamperometry
An electrochemical measuring technique used for electrochemical analysis or for the determination of the kinetics and mechanism of electrode reactions. A fast-rising potential pulse is enforced on the working electrode of an electrochemical cell and the current flowing through this electrode is measured as a function of time.

chronopotentiometry
An electrochemical measuring technique used for electrochemical analysis or for the determination of the kinetics and mechanism of electrode reactions. A fast-rising current pulse is enforced on the working electrode of an electrochemical cell and the potential of this electrode is measured against a reference electrode as a function of time. In an unstirred solution, the potential will rise to the electrode potential of the reaction requiring the least amount of energy to proceed, and it will increase in time due to the concentration overpotential developing as the concentration of the reactant is exhausted at the electrode surface. If the current is larger than the limiting current, eventually the diffusional process will not be able to provide the required flux for the current, and the electrode potential will sharply rise (at the transition time) until it reaches the electrode potential of the next available reaction in the solution, and so on.

chrysotherapy
The treatment of certain diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis, with gold compounds.

cinnabar
HgS. Mercuric (mercury) sulphide. Most mercury mined comes from cinnabar ore (rock containing cinnabar mineralization). The colour of cinnabar ranges from cinnamon to brick and scarlet red, which explains its historic use as a pigment, mainly in paints but also as a traditional colorant for foods.

cisplatin
Cisplatin is a "first generation" antitumor drug highly effective in the chemotherapy of many forms of cancer. Thge metallodrug is most commonly used to treat testicular, bladder, lung, gullet (oesophagus), stomach and ovarian cancers. The water-soluble platinum complex, after hydrolysis, reacts with the nucleic acid bases of DNA to produce both intra and interstrand crosslinks. These crosslinks appear to impair replication and transcription of DNA. The cytotoxicity of cisplatin correlates with cellular arrest in the G2 phase of the cell cycle.
 
IUPAC name: cis-diamminedichloroplatinum(II).

class a metal ion
Metal  ion  that  combines  preferentially  with  ligands  containing  ligating  atoms  that  are  the  lightest
(smallest atomic number) of their periodic group.
See also borderline metal ion, class b metal ion, hard acid.

class b metal ion
Metal ion that combines preferentially with ligands containing ligating atoms other than the lightest (smallest atomic number) of their periodic group.
See also borderline metal ion, class a metal ion, hard acid.

Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR)
The Clean Air Mercury Rule (CAMR) is setting performance standards for new coal-fired power plants by nominally capping mercury emissions from new and existing plants at 38 tons per year (tpy) from 2010 to 2017 and 15 tpy in 2018 and thereafter; these down from 48.5 tpy in 1999. To implement the CAMR, 21 states with non-zero emissions adopted EPA’s new source performance standards and cap and trade program with little or no modification. By December 2007, 23 other states had proposed or adopted more stringent requirements; 16 states prohibited or restricted interstate trading of mercury emissions.

clean room
A room in which the concentration of airborne particulate matter is controlled at specific limits to facilitate material operations with reduced risk for contamination. Clean rooms are classified according to thze number of particles per volume of air to meet standards of cleanliness. Contaminants on surfaces and people entering and exiting the room also are controlled.

clean-up
analytical procedure for the removal of the matrix components (e.g. fats, proteins, high-boiling point hydrocarbons) that, if co-introduced on a chromatographic column would lead to their degradation or destruction. Clean-up is usually realized by low-resolution chromatographic separation with a mechanism different to that employed for the analytical separation (e.g. passing through a reversed phase of polar compounds to be separated by ion-exchange).

Codex Alimentarius
Codex Alimentarius means "food code" and is the compilation of all the Standards, Codes of Practice, Guidelines and Recommendations of the Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC). 

Codex Alimentarius Commission
The Codex Alimentarius Commission (CAC) is the highest international body on food standards. The Commission is an intergovernmental body jointly sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). Membership is open to all Member Nations and Associate Members of FAO/WHO, and currently comprises of over 169 countries. International non-governmental organisations, such as consumer, academic or industry bodies, may attend Codex meetings as observers. CAC's website can be reached at: http://www.codexalimentarius.net/. 

coefficient of variation, CV
The relative standard deviation, i.e., the standard deviation expressed as a percentage of the mean [CV=100(s/x)].

cold injection
An injection that occurs at temperatures lower than the final oven temperature, usually at or below the solvent boiling point.

collision cell
Chamber in the analysis tube of a mass spectrometer where accelerated ions and target gases collide in CID experiments.

collision reaction cell
A transmission hexapole or octapole collision cell to which an oscillating radio frequency potential is applied that is used for charge exchange neutralization of interfering ions in inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry.

collision-induced dissociation (CID)
In a collision between an ion and a neutral species, a portion of the ion translational energy is converted to internal energy.  This internal energy causes dissociation of the ion into smaller fragment ions and can also cause changes in the ion charge. Collision-induced dissociation (CID) is also known as collisionally activated dissociation. Collision-induced dissociation  is common in MS/MS experiments.

collisional focussing
In the quadrupole ion trap, ions are focussed towards the centre of the trap by collisional cooling with helium ions, where focussing forces  are balanced by space charge. Ions with the lowest mass-to charge ratios are nearest the centre, with  ions of higher mass arranged further out in layers, like the rings of an onion. These ions can be stored for long periods, providing improvements in mass selectivity and axial ejection, and enhancing process such as laser dissociation, since the ion cloud is more easily irradiated. Collisional  focussing can also be carried out in other traps and focussing devices such as wave guides and hexapoles.

colloid
Material in the nanometer to micrometer size range whose characteristics and reactions are largely controlled by surface properties. Larger than most inorganic compounds, colloids will remain suspended indefinitely and will not normally diffuse through animal or vegetable membranes. The IUPAC definition of a colloid refers to "molecules or polymolecular particles" having at least one dimension in the range of 1-1000 nm.

column
Typically a tube of sorts that contains the stationary phase of a chromatographic system.

column bleed
The normal background signal issuing from the chromatography column that reaches the detector in the absence of analyte. It results from the breakdown of the stationary phase. In practice, the total signal reaching the detector is often attributed to column bleed but it may also contain signals from the injector, detector and other components.

column leaching
A laboratory method that involves passing water, acids, or other leaching solutions through a stationary solid waste or another solid sample to model the dissolution of contaminants from the sample. The leaching process uses a plastic or glass column. The column is periodically recharged (usually at the top) with the leaching solution. The solution passes through the solids and is collected at the bottom of the column, usually filtered, and then analyzed for contaminants. Leachate collection may occur over days, weeks, or even months. Column leaching tests provide estimates of the types and concentrations of contaminants that are likely to mobilize from a wetted solid sample and move into the environment. Unlike batch leaching, no agitation of the column occurs and the system is open and more closely resembles subsurface conditions in many natural environments and contaminated sites. Although the procedures tend to be more expensive, time-consuming, and labor intensive than batch leaching, column leaching methods have the advantages of allowing observers to study longer term chemical interactions between solid samples and leachates, to note changes in the permeability of solid samples with time, and to evaluate how chemical reactions may change once more soluble compounds are flushed out of the solids (compare with leaching, batch leaching, leaching test, sequential batch leaching, and serial batch leaching).

column packing
The particulate material packed inside the column; also called the stationary phase. This usually consists of silica- or polymer-based particles, often chemically bonded with a chemical function al group. For analytical work, 3µm or 5µm spherical particles are used; for semi-preparative, 10µm or larger spherical or irregular particles are favored. The most common packings are as follows:
  • Octadecyl (ODS, C18) the most popular phase, used for reversed-phase HPLC
  • Octyl (C8) more polar than C18, also a popular reversed-phase column
  • TMS (methyl, C1) weakly retentive in reversed-phase
  • Silica (Si) unbonded silica used in normal phase mode, popular for preparative LC.
  • Phenyl, Cyano, Amino specialty phases used for specific applications.

column switching
A chromatographic technique using multiple columns connected by switching valves for improved chromatographic separations or sample cleanup. Fractions from a primary column can be switched to two or more secondary columns, which in turn can be further diverted to additional columns or  to detectors; sometimes called multidimensional  chromatography.

complex
Any combination of a cation associated with molecules or anions containing unshared pairs of electrons. The interaction can range from purely electrostatic to that approaching covalent character.

With respect to a complex we further define:
  • Metal Cation - The central metal atom in the complex
  • Ligand(s) – the anions or molecules involved in forming the complex with the central metal cation
  • Ligand Atom – the particular atom involved in the interaction with the central metal atom

composite sample
A sample composed of several subsamples in order to represent a typical situation such as a series of water samples taken over a given period of time and weighted by flow rate or a soil sample that consists of soil taken from various depths or various locations.

comprehensive GC
(GC x GC): Twodimensional technique in which all compounds experience the selectivity of two columns connected in series by a retention modulation device, thereby generating much higher resolution than that attainable with any single column.

concentration
Any one of a group of three quantities characterizing the composition of a mixture and defined as one of mass, amount of substance (chemical amount), or number divided by volume, giving, respectively, mass, amount (of substance), or number concentrations.

concentration factor
  • in biology: the extent to which an element or compound is concentrated in an organism (or specific tissue) over its environment (usually ambient water unless spercified as being related to sediment or diet); usually normalized on weight or volume bases
  • in analytical chemistry: the extent to which a preconcentration technique concentrates the analyte over the concentration in the original sample.

concentric nebulizer
A concentric nebulizer is a pneumatic nebulizer in which the liquid flows through a central capillary and dispersion gas flows through a surrounding outer tub,

conductometry
An electroanalytical technique based upon the measurement of the conductivity of an electrolyte solution. This technique is often used as a detection system in ion chromatography.

confidence coefficient
the probability, in %, that a measurement result will lie within the confidence interval or between the confidence limits.

confidence interval
set of possible values within which the true value will lie with a specified level of probability.

confidence interval, confidence range
The interval or range of values which will contain the population parameter with a specified probability.

confidence level
The confidence level is the probability of covering the expected value of an estimated parameter with an interval estimated for the parameter (symbol 1 – a). The confidence level can be expressed as a number between 0 and 1, or in percent. The complementary quantity is known as the significance level.

Comment: In some cases the confidence level is dictated by the needs of the situation.


conformation
The shape of a molecule produced by the specific spatial arrangement of vthe units that compose it.

confounding variable
Changing factor that can cause or prevent the outcome of interest, is not an intermediate variable, and is not associated with the factor under investigation: such a variable must be controlled in order to obtain an undistorted estimate of the effect of the study factor on risk.
[Last, 1988|] (IUPAC)

consecutive reaction monitoring
Consecutive reaction monitoring (CRM) is the application of selected reaction monitoring to sequential fragmentation in three or more stages of mass spectrometry. The product ion from the first stage of mass spectrometry becomes the precursor ion for the second stage, and so on.

consensus value
Consensus value can be defined as the mean of‘ participants’ results on a test material distributed in a proficiency testing scheme, after outliers have been handled either by elimination or by the use of robust statistics.

contamination
In trace analysis, this is the unintentional introduction of analyte(s) or other species which are not present in the original sample and which may cause an error in the determination. It can occur at any stage in the analysis. Quality assurance procedures, such as analyses of blanks or of reference
materials, are used to check for contamination problems.

continuous flow fast atom bombardment (CF-FAB)
Continuous flow fast atom bombardment is a variant of  the fast atom bombardment ionization technique for mass spectrometry in which the analyte is dissolved in a liquid matrix that is continuously supplied to the sample probe tip.

continuous flow matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (CF-MALDI)
Continuous flow matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization is a variant of MALDI in which the analyte is dissolved in a liquid matrix that is continuously supplied to the sample probe tip

control chart
"A graphical method for evaluating whether a process is or is not in a 'state of statistical control.' The determinations are made through comparison of the values of some statistical measure(s) for an ordered series of samples, or subgroups, with control limits" [ASQ]. In healthcare laboratories, the Levey-Jennings chart is commonly used to plot the result observed for a stable control material versus time, usually the day or run number.

control limits
"Limits on a control chart which are used as criteria for signalling the need for action, or for judging whether a set of data does or does not indicate a 'state of control'" [ASQ]. Used here to refer to the defined limits or ranges of results expected due to the random error of the method, and beyond which some course of action should be taken. It is common in clinical laboratories to use Levey-Jennings control charts with limits set as either the mean plus or minus 2 standard deviations, or the mean plus or minus 3 standard deviations.

control material
A control solution that is available, often commercially, liquid or lyophilized, and packaged in aliquots that can be prepared and used individually.

control measurements, control observations
The analytical results obtained for control solutions or control materials (that are analyzed for purposes of quality control).

Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH)
Regulations which impose specific legal requirements for risk assessment wherever hazardous chemicals or biological agents are used.

conversion dynode
Surface that is held at high potential so that ions striking the surface produce electrons that are
subsequently detected.

coordination
A coordination entity is composed of a central atom, usually that of a metal, to which is attached a surrounding array of other atoms or group of atoms, each of which is called a ligand. A coordination entity may be a neutral molecule, a cation or an anion. The ligands may be viewed as neutral or ionic entities that are bonded to an appropriately charged central atom. It is standard practice to think of the ligand atoms that are directly attached to the central atom as defining a coordination polyhedron (tetrahedron, square plane, octahedron, etc.) about the central atom. The coordination number is defined as being equal to the number of sigma-bonds between ligands and the central atom; this definition is not necessarily appropriate in all areas of (coordination) chemistry. In a coordination formula, the central atom is listed first. The formally anionic ligands appear next and they are listed in alphabetic order according to the first symbols of their formula. The neutral ligands follow, also in alphabetical order, according to the same principle. The formula for the entire coordination entity, whether charged or not, is enclosed in square brackets. In a coordination name, the ligands are listed in alphabetical order, without regard to charge, before the name of the central atom. Numerical prefixes indicating the number of ligands are not considered in determining that order. All anionic coordination entities take the ending -ate, whereas no distinguishing termination is used for cationic or neutral coordination entities.

coordination number
The number of ligands that the central metal atom will tend to bond with in the formation of a complex. Defines the symmetry or geometry of the metal complex.

copper
Copper is a chemical element that has the symbol Cu (Latin: cuprum) and atomic number 29. It is a ductile metal with excellent electrical conductivity, and finds extensive use as an electrical conductor, heat conductor, as a building material, and as a component of various alloys.

Copper is an essential nutrient to all high plants and animals. In animals, including humans, it is found primarily in the bloodstream, as a co-factor in various enzymes, and in copper-based pigments. In sufficient amounts, copper can be poisonous and even fatal to organisms.

copper gluconate
The orally bioavailable copper salt of D-gluconic acid. In addition to its roles as an enzyme cofactor for cytochrome C oxidase and superoxide dismutase, copper forms complexes with the thiocarbamate disulfiram (DSF) forming DSF-copper complexes, which enhances the DSF-mediated inhibition of the 26S proteasome; proteasome inhibition may result in inhibition of cellular protein degradation, cessation of cell cycle progression, inhibition of cellular proliferation, and the induction of apoptosis in susceptible tumor cell populations.

copper oxychloride
A fungicide that controls a wide range of fungal and bacterial diseases on fruit, vegetables and ornamentals protecting the plant.
Formula: CuCl2 3 Cu(OH)2

coprecipitation
Occurs in solutions and refers to a minor or trace element (such as arsenic) adsorbing onto or absorbing within the developing or fresh precipitates of other chemical species. Although sometimes difficult to distinguish, sorption involves the incorporation of contaminants onto or within preexisting solids (sorbents), whereas coprecipitation occurs as or shortly after the host solids precipitate from solution, such as arsenic coprecipitating with iron (oxy)(hydr)oxides in acid mine drainage. Coprecipitation might also involve arsenic-bearing colloids or other fine-grained particles becoming trapped (absorbed) in the interiors of precipitating compounds (compare with precipitation and sorption).

corona discharge
The cona discharge is an electrical discharge in the region around the corona discharge needle that results in ionization of gas molecules to form a chemical ionization (CI) plasma, which contains CI reagent ions.

coulometry
An electroanalytical technique based upon the measurement of the amount of electrical charge passed through the working electrode of an electrochemical cell.

covalent bond
The linking of two atoms, where valence electrons are more or less evenly shared between the two atoms (compare with ionic bond).

criterion level (concentration criterion)
Guideline value or a specified and defined concentration value; if the concentration of a substance is below or above this value, it will affect the classification of the object of study and any follow-up actions

cross-flow nebulizer
A cross-flow nebulizer is a pneumatic nebulizer in which the dispersion gas flows at a right angle with respect to the column of liquid emerging from a capillary

cross-linked phase
A stationary phase that includes cross-linked polymer chains. Usually, it also is bonded to the column inner wall. See also: bonded phase.

cryo-trapping
see cryogenic sampling

cryogenic sampling
collection of trace compounds from gaseous media by cocondensation with a major constituent (e.g. water vapour, CO2, N2, Ar) of the matrix

CVAAS
Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy - A technique for the analysis of mercury, whereby mercury is selectively chemically reduced to an elemental state and aerated from solution in a closed system. Absorption of the vapor at a given wavelength is a measure of the concentration of mercury in the sample.

cyhexatin
Cyhexatin is an organotin compound used as an insecticide. It inhibits oxidative phosphorylation at the site of dinitrophenol uncoupling, preventing the formation of the high-energy phosphate molecule adenosine triphosphate (ATP).


IUPAC name:        tricyclohexyltin hydroxide
CAS name:           tricyclohexylhydroxystannane
Cas Reg. No.:       13121-70-5
Formula:              C18H34OSn

cytochrome P450
Iron-containing proteins important in cell respiration as catalysts of oxidation-reduction reactions.

cytochromes
Conjugated proteins containing haem as the prosthetic group and associated with electron transport and with redox processes.






Events
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Implementing Routine Elemental Speciation in Your Laboratory, in Readiness for Future Legislation
21.05.2013
Internet 11:00 AM EDT
ElCheMS 2: 2nd International Workshop on Electrochemistry/Mass Spectrometry
23.05.2013
Münster, Germany
Graduate Course on Speciation and Bioavailability
03.06.2013
Wageningen, The Netherlands
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Arsenic species in rice: Origin, uptake and geographical variation
Standard methods for tin speciation analysis
Standard methods for elemental speciation analysis
Standard methods for arsenic speciation analysis
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