Applicability of InertSep ME-2 to Solid-Phase Extraction of Trace Elements

The potential of a chelating resin, InertSep ME-2, on which both iminodiacetic acid（IDA）and amine are immobilized independently, was investigated. The solid-phase extraction behavior for 21 elements using InertSep ME-2 was similar to those using Nobias Chelate PA-1, Presep PolyChelate, and a chelating resin immobilizing carboxymethylated polyethylenimine; Mg, Ca, and Sr were scarcely extracted under acidic and neutral conditions, and other elements, including Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Mo, Ni, Pb, V, and Zn, were quantitatively recovered over a wide pH range. Such selectivity would be due to the presence of both the IDA group for the extraction of elements and the protonated amino group for the electrostatic repulsion. A significant change in extraction percentages was not observed at a flow rate of at least 30 mL/min. This could be partly due to the use of a highly cross-linked, macroporous, hydrophilic methacrylate resin as the base polymer. InertSep ME-2 was applicable to the separation of the elements in artificial seawater and some certified reference materials, EnviroMAT Ground Water ES-L-1 and Waste Water EU-L-3.