Journal of Chromatography A, 834 (1999) 363–385 Review Analysis of inorganic species in environmental samples by capillary electrophoresis * Sara M. Valsecchi , Stefano Polesello CNR-IRSA, Via della Mornera 25, I-20047 Brugherio ( MI), Italy Abstract The use of capillary electrophoresis for the determination of inorganic species in environmental samples is reviewed. Topics covered include the separation of inorganic anions, inorganic cations, transition metal cations and organometals in different environmental matrices, such as atmospheric deposition, atmospheric aerosols, gases, natural waters, waste waters, soil, sediment and marine biological samples. Cited literature is gathered according to the type of matrix, so that the focus is on the discussion of matrix effects rather than on the method development for a single class of compounds. For each matrix, surveyed methods are tabulated in order to assist the method selection. Innovative applications of capillary electrophoresis to advanced environmental research are also emphasised.  1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. Keywords: Reviews; Environmental analysis; Water analysis; Soil; Sediments; Inorganic anions; Inorganic cations; Metals Contents 1. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 363 2. Atmospheric samples ............................................................................................................................................................... 364 3. Natural water samples ............................................................................................................................................................. 370 3.1. Freshwater...................................................................................................................................................................... 370 3.2. Seawater ........................................................................................................................................................................ 373 4. Waste water and industrial process water .................................................................................................................................. 376 5. Soil and sediment samples ....................................................................................................................................................... 379 6. Biological samples .................................................................................................................................................................. 381 7. Conclusions ............................................................................................................................................................................ 381 8. List of abbreviations ................................................................................................................................................................ 382 References .................................................................................................................................................................................. 383 1. Introduction has been shown to be a powerful tool for inorganic ion analysis. This methodology appeared to be a Since 1989 [1,2] capillary electrophoresis (CE) viable alternative to ion chromatography (IC) for the determination of inorganic ions and other low-molec- * ular-mass ionic solutes [3–5]. CE offers a number of Corresponding author. Tel.: 139-(0)39-2004-303, Fax: 139- (0)39-2004-692, E-mail: valsecchi@server-mi.irsa.rm.cnr.it advantages over IC, including simplicity, greater 0021-9673 / 99 / $ – see front matter  1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved. PII: S0021-9673(98)00914-5