Advancements in flow analysis coupled with liquid waveguide capillary cell for trace analysis in aquatic environments: A systematic review (2012–2024)

Abstract

Trace substances in aquatic environments play a pivotal role in biogeochemical cycles and public health, necessitating accurate quantification for both scientific research and environmental monitoring. The integration of flow analysis (FA) with liquid waveguide capillary cell (LWCC) technology has emerged as a robust analytical approach, overcoming the sensitivity limitations inherent to conventional spectrophotometric methods. This review systematically evaluates the application of FA-LWCC systems for determining trace nutrients, metals, and other organic/inorganic compounds in aqueous matrices from 2012 to 2024. The present work has three principal objectives: (1) to perform a critical comparative analysis of different FA-LWCC systems, assessing their respective merits and limitations; (2) to comprehensively evaluate FA-LWCC applications for trace quantification of nutrients, metals, and other organic/inorganic compounds in aqueous media; and (3) to identify current methodological challenges and propose future research priorities. This comprehensive review highlights the advancements in FA-LWCC technology for trace analysis in environmental matrices, and aims to stimulate further innovation in this critical field of analytical chemistry. We anticipate that this work will serve as a valuable reference for researchers engaged in trace-level determinations, particularly those focused on aquatic systems.