nickeldetection

Nickeldetection refers to analytical procedures used to identify and quantify nickel (Ni) in environmental, industrial, and biological samples. Nickel is an essential trace element but can pose health risks, including dermatitis and possible carcinogenic effects at high concentrations. Accurate detection is therefore essential for occupational safety, food safety, and environmental monitoring.

Detection methods can be grouped by the physical principle they exploit. Atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP‑MS) are widely used for their high sensitivity, allowing detection limits in the parts‑per‑trillion range. Electrochemical techniques, such as anodic stripping voltammetry, provide rapid, portable analysis and are often employed in field testing. Colourimetric assays using complexing agents produce a measurable shift in absorbance and are valuable for routine screening in resource‑limited settings. Magnetic sensing methods that monitor changes in magnetic susceptibility or employ nanostructured sensors have emerged for rapid, nondestructive testing of metallic components.

Sample preparation varies with matrix type. Solid samples, such as soil or food, are typically digested with acids (e.g., nitric or aqua regia) before analysis, whereas liquid samples may require filtration or dilution. Quality control procedures—spike recovery, standard reference materials, and inter-laboratory comparisons—are crucial to ensure data reliability.

Standards and regulations, such as those from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the European Union and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO), set permissible exposure limits and analytical performance criteria. Emerging applications include the monitoring of nickel leaching from consumer goods, assessment of nickel residues in drug products, and the detection of nickel corrosion products in pipelines. Continuous methodological advances aim to improve sensitivity, reduce analysis time, and enable in‑situ monitoring of nickel pollution.