Comparative studies of methylmercury determination in biological and environmental samples

✍ Scribed by M Horvat; K May; M Stoeppler; A R Byrne

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 1988
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 522 KB
• Volume: 2
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0268-2605
• DOI: 10.1002/aoc.590020604

✦ Synopsis

Some parameters affecting the accuracy of various approaches to methylmercury (MeHg) determination in biological and environmental samples were studied. Different isolation techniques (ionexchange, extraction, volatilization, distillation) and final measurement via coid vapour atomic absorption spectroscopy (CV AA) or gas chromatography (GC) were compared. Results obtained by the various isolation techniques are comparable for almost all biological and environmental samples, except for soils and some sediments, where disagreement between the results obtained by GC and CV AA was found. In order to resolve these problems, a new separation technique based on distillation of MeHg from the sample followed either by CV AA or GC was developed. The new method results in very good recovery and reproducibility (95 f 2%) for all samples examined (fish, mussel, shrimp, blood, hair, algae, sediment, etc.), is specific for MeHg and provides for its differentiation from other species by an indirect CV AA determination.

Gas-chromatographic measurement of the isolated MeHg using different packings and conditioning of the columns is also discussed. The distillation method with GC detection is advantageous in producing cleaner chromatograms and in prolonging the life-time of the packing and the intervals between reconditioning.