Field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry: an alternative approach to investigate metal-humic substances interaction.

Interaction between metal ions and humic matter was investigated using a hyphenated technique, field-flow fractionation-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (FFF-ICP-MS). Aggregation of a metal-spiked commercial Aldrich humic acid in an aqueous solution of calcium ion or in seawater was examined over time intervals of 0-4320 min. The aggregation was demonstrated by shifts in peak maximum of humic matter from smaller size (2.