Stripping analysis into the 21st century: faster, smaller, cheaper, simpler and better

As we approach the 21st century we have been reassessing the way we conduct electrochemical stripping measurements of trace metals. Such rethinking has led to the replacement of conventional stripping protocols and systems with remotely deployed submersible ('lab-on-cable') stripping probes, easy-to-use microfabricated metal-sensor strips or micromachined hand-held total stripping analyzers. Such developments allow one to move the measurements of trace metals to the field, and to perform them more rapidly, reliably and inexpensively. These advances bring significant changes to the monitoring of toxic metals, and allow stripping analysis to retain its place as one of the most powerful tools for trace analysis. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.