Abstract
The arsenic speciation analysis of water (surface and ground) was undertaken in thirteen provinces of Argentina. A field-based method utilizing solid phase extraction cartridges enabled the selective retention of iAs III, iAsV, MAV and DMAV. All fractions and a 'total' arsenic acidified sample were analyzed by ICP-MS using a collision cell. Total arsenic levels varied from <0.2 to 6754 μg L -1, with the highest levels in Neuquén (surface) and in Santiago del Estero and La Pampa (ground). The lowest total As levels were found in Misiones and Chubut (surface; <0.2 μg L-1). Speciation levels varied depending on water type, pH and redox potential. In San Juan and Neuquén, the predominant species is iAsIII (surface) whereas in La Pampa (ground) there is variation: Eduardo Castex (iAsIII > iAsV), Ingeniero Luiggi (iAsIII ∼ iAsV), San Martin (iAsIII < iAsV). In Buenos Aires and Santa Fe (ground), the main As species is iAsV. © 2014 Taylor & Francis Group.