Determination of mercury in seawater by cold vapour atomic absorption spectrophotometry

Summary To avoid systematic errors in the sampling and determination of mercury in seawater an integrated sampling-analyzing system has been developed. A 500 ml PTFE-bottle attached to a sampling gear is used as sampling vessel for the cold vapour atomic absorption Spectrophotometry, using nitrogen aeration, SnCl₂ reduction, and preenrichment/ purification by amalgamation on finely dispersed gold. The detection limit of this procedure was found to be 0.5 ng·l^–1 and the coefficient of variation 4% for 1.5 ng·l^–1.

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Bestimmung von Quecksilber im Meerwasser durch Kaltdampf-Atomabsorptionsspektralphotometrie

Zusammenfassung Zur Vermeidung von systematischen Fehlern bei der Ultraspurenanalyse von Quecksilber im Meerwasser wurde ein integriertes Probenahme-Analysensystem entwickelt. Eine 500 ml PTFE-Flasche dient in Verbindung mit einem Greifarm als Probenahmegefäß für Oberflächenwasser und wird anschließend als Reaktionsgefäß in die Analysenapparatur gesetzt. Die Bestimmung erfolgt mit der Kaltdampf-Atomabsorptionsspektralphotometrie nach Reduktion des Quecksilbers durch SnCl₂ und Anreicherung sowie Reinigung mittels Amalgamierung an feinverteiltem Gold. Die Nachweisgrenze dieses Verfahrens beträgt 0,5 ng·l^–1, der Variationskoeffizient 4% bei 1,5 ng·l^–1.

     

大体积进样-原子荧光光谱法 测定海水中痕量汞

海洋中的汞在生物体内会转化为毒性高的甲基汞,影响海洋生物体的健康,进而威胁到人类的健康。同时,由于汞元素的记忆效应,使其会残留在光谱仪器设备中,影响仪器空白值和参数设置,以及测量结果的准确性和可靠性。海水中的汞含量处于超痕量水平,其分析检测是目前的难点之一。本文研究了一种大体积进样-原子荧光光谱法测定海水中痕量汞的方法,考察了不同前处理方式、酸的种类、还原剂浓度和原子化方式对检测的影响,并针对性利用烷基汞验证了不同条件下的检测结果,对方法进行了改进和验证,并对不同海域的海水进行了检测。实验结果表明：采用大体积进样,用盐酸代替硫酸,检测低浓度样品结果更准确;用甲基汞、乙基汞加标和低浓度还原剂对比验证过硫酸钾消解前处理时室温消化24h和加热煮沸1min两种消解方式,两种方式的加标回收率均接近100%;测量不同海域海水样品平行性好,结果准确,该方法对不同海域海水具有普遍适用性。     

Interlaboratory studies to improve the quality of mercury determination in seawater

Determinations of pollutants in various matrices are routinely performed by a number of organizations for monitoring contamination levels of the marine environment. Projects for improving the quality of determinations of trace metals in seawater have been successfully concluded within the scope of the BCR-Programme (now renamed Standards, Measurements and Testing Programme) of the European Commission; however, the determination of total mercury could not be considered at this stage both because of the poor analytical performances observed and the unsuitability of the containers (polyethylene) used for the seawater certified reference material (CRM 579). A specific project has therefore been organized to improve the state of the art of Hg determination in seawater and to investigate the best way of storing a candidate CRM. Two interlaboratory studies have been concluded and a certification campaign has now started. The materials have been collected in the Southern Bight of the North Sea, carefully prepared (filtered and acidified) and their homogeneity and stability were verified. This paper presents the results of the two interlaboratory studies.     

Determination of cadmium,mercury and lead in seawater by electrothermal vaporization isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry

Electrothermal vaporization isotope dilution inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ETV-ID-ICP-MS) has been applied to the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in seawater samples. The isotope ratios of the elements studied in each analytical run were calculated from the peak areas of each isotope. Various modifiers were tested for the best signal of these elements. After preliminary studies, 0.15% m/v TAC and 4% v/v HCl were added to the sample solution to work as the modifier. The ETV-ID-ICP-MS method has been applied to the determination of Cd, Hg and Pb in NASS-4 and CASS-3 reference seawater samples and seawater samples collected from Kaohsiung area. The results for reference sample NASS-4 and CASS-3 agreed satisfactorily with the reference values. Results for other samples determined by isotope dilution and method of standard additions agreed satisfactorily. Detection limits were approximately 0.002, 0.005 and 0.001 ng ml⁻¹ for Cd, Hg and Pb in seawater, respectively, with the ETV-ICP-MS method. Precision between sample replicates was better than 20% for most of the determinations.     

Determination of mercury and organic mercury contents in Malaysian seafood

The contents of mercury and organic mercury in various types of seafood from various location in Malaysia were determined by neutron activation analysis. Total mercury was determined by instrumental neutron activation analysis (INAA) whilst organic mercury was determined by INAA after chemical separation. Samples were digested in acid media and into the solution was added copper ion and KBr to release organic mercury compound from sulphur component of the tissue. The organic mercury was then extracted into toluene and then treated with cysteine paper to convert the compound into sub-organo-mercury from. The paper was then transferred into polyethylene vials and irradiated in the MINT TRIGA Reactor. Analytical results of organic mercury in Indian mackerel (Rastrelliger kanagurta), Spanish mackerel (Scomberomurus commersoni), shrimp (Peneaus sp.), squid (Loligo sp.) and cockle (Anadara granosa) is in the range of 45%–94% of the total mercury.     

Determination of protein-bound trace elements in human cell cytosols of different organs and different pathological states

In the human body, there exists over 200 different cell types, which differ in size and structure and have specialised functions in the organism. Therefore it can be assumed that these different cells also contain different proteins necessary to carry out the respective specialised functions. This supposed different metalloprotein composition in different human organs cannot be demonstrated by determination of total element concentrations. Therefore investigations of the different protein-bound forms of the elements were achieved by speciation analysis: The biomolecules were separated by size exclusion chromatography and the elements detected on-line in the eluate by a hyphenated inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP-MS). For the interpretation of the obtained element profiles, an identification of the signals and their assignment to different metalloproteins was necessary. This identification was carried out by means of specific protein assays, i.e. enzymatic assays or immunochemical reactions, in collected fractions of the chromatographic separations. A comparison of the element binding pattern in cytosols of different human organs was then possible. The optimised method was applied to tissue cytosols of different human organs. As expected, the element patterns varied for different organs of the same patient and for the same organ of patients with different diseases. Metalloproteins and their bound metals could consequently be considered as biological markers for physiological differences or pathological changes in human tissues.     

An international intercomparison exercise for total mercury in seawater

Two 30 dm³ coastal seawater samples were collected in September 1983. One was acidified, homogenized and divided among 50 500-cm³ glass ampoules. The second was spiked with 612ng of mercury added as methylmercury chloride, acidified, homogenized and divided among 50 500-cm³ glass ampoules. All these operations were performed under a mercury-free atmosphere. A single sample from each set was sent to each of 37 laboratories; 21 of them submitted their results of a ‘total’ mercury concentation determination. The consensus values and their confidence limits are 6.0 ± 1.6 and 24.2 ± 2.8 ng dm^?3 for the natural and the spiked samples respectively. Eleven laboratories reported reliable quantitative results (within ± 2SD ) for the natural (unspiked) sample, and 12 for the spiked sample. In addition, ten laboratories give sets of results within ± 2SD of the consensus values. Storage for up to four months of methylmercury spiked samples with 1.4% nitric acid (0.3 mol dm^?3) at room temperature is, alone, an unsuitable treatment for releasing mercury from its monomethyl compounds.     

Flow system device for the on-line determination of total mercury in seawater

The instrumental set-up for the on-line sampling, digestion and quantification of total mercury in seawater is described. Based on a flow system and cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS) detection limit was improved by a gold amalgam preconcentration to 0.5 ng l(-1). The manifold design was optimized by the variation of the gas flow, length of reaction coils, shape and material of the gas-liquid separator and flow rate of the reductant. A calibration following the equations p=0.039c+0.0813 (p, peak area; c, concentration) and a correlation coefficient of r=0.9996 was obtained. The relative standard deviation of three measurements of 0.5 ng l(-1) Hg(2+) was 3.8%. The long-time (12 h) reproducibility was 6.2% RSD (n=25) of 0.5 ng l(-1) Hg(2+). With a recovery rate >90% mercury can be determined after on-line UV digestion. For a complete analysis, 6 min is required. The technique is fast, simple to handle and robust. The apparatus is designed for the use on research vessels under sea conditions.     

Determination of radioactive strontium in seawater

This paper describes the procedures of isolating strontium and yttrium from seawater that enable the determination of ^89,90Sr. In one procedure, strontium is directly isolated from seawater on the column filled with Sr resin by binding of strontium to the resin from 3 M HNO₃ in a seawater, and successive elution with HNO₃. In others, strontium is precipitated from seawater with (NH₄)₂CO₃, followed by isolation on a Sr column or an anion exchange column. It is shown that strontium precipitation is optimal with concentration of 0.3 M (NH₄)₂CO₃ at pH = 11. In these conditions, 100% Y, 78% Sr, 80% Ca and 50% Mg are precipitated. Strontium is bound on to Sr column from 5 to 8 M HNO₃, separated from other elements by elution with 3 M HNO₃ and 0.05 M HNO₃. Strontium and yttrium are bound on to anion exchange column from alcoholic solutions of nitric acid. The optimum mixture of alcohols for sample binding is a mixture of ethanol and methanol with the volume ratio 1:3. Strontium and yttrium are separated from Mg, Ca, K, and other elements by elution with 0.25 M HNO₃ in the mixture of ethanol and methanol. After the separation, yttrium and strontium are eluted from the column with water or methanol.In the procedure of direct isolation from 1 l of the sample, the average recovery of 50% was obtained. In the remaining two procedures, the strontium recovery was about 60% for the Sr column and 65% for anion exchange column. Recovery of yttrium is about 70% for the anion exchange column. It turned out that the procedure with the Sr resin (direct isolation and isolation after precipitation) is simpler and faster in the phase of the isolation on the column in comparison with the procedure with the anion exchanger. The procedure with the anion exchanger, however, enables the simultaneous isolation of yttrium and strontium and rapid determination of ^89,90Sr. These procedures were tested by determination of ^89,90Sr on liquid scintillation counter and Cherenkov counting in 5 M HNO₃. Obtained results showed that activity of 50 mBq l⁻¹ of ^89,90Sr and higher can be simultaneously determined.     

Determination of mercury and mercury compounds in air and other non-corrosive gases

Summary Mercury is adsorbed on cellulose powder and activated charcoal. The contents of the adsorber are burnt in the oxy-hydrogen flame, and the mercury determined by the flameless atomic absorption procedure. The method is applicable to mercury present as metallic vapour, organo mercurical compounds and particulate matter containing adsorbed mercury compounds. The combustion step eliminates all possible non-atomic absorption interferences in the measuring procedure and ensures quantitative recovery of the mercury from the adsorption material.Quantitative adsorption recovery over a wide range of flow rate from 2–200 l/h allows the use of small battery operated pumps for personal monitoring, or vacuum pumps for high speed and large volume sampling. The range of flow rate makes isokinetic sampling conditions possible.

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Bestimmung von Quecksilber und Quecksilberverbindungen in Luft und anderen nicht korrodierenden Gasen

Zusammenfassung Quecksilber wird an Cellulosepulver und Aktivkohle adsorbiert. Der Inhalt des Adsorbers wird in der Wasserstoff-Sauerstoff-Flamme verbrannt und das Quecksilber durch flammenlose Atomabsorption bestimmt. Die Methode erfa\t Quecksilber als Metalldampf, in Form von Organo-Quecksilberverbindungen sowie Quecksilberverbindungen, die an Staubpartikel adsorbiert sind. Die Verbrennung in der Wasserstoff-Sauerstoff-Flamme eliminiert Störungen durch nicht-atomare Absorption bei der AAS-Messung und garantiert die quantitative Erfassung des adsorbierten Quecksilbers.Die quantitative Adsorption über einen gro\en Bereich der Durchflu\geschwindigkeit von 2–200 l/h erlaubt batteriebetriebene Pumpen für die Quecksilbermessung am Mann, oder den Einsatz von Vakuumpumpen für die Probenahme bei hoher Durchflu\rate und gro\em Probenvolumen. Der gro\e Bereich der Durchflu\rate gestattet isokinetische Bedingungen für die Probenahme.

     

Determination of total particulate mercury in air with the coleman mercury analyzer system

A simple and rapid cold-vapour atomic absorption system is described for the simultaneous determination of low ambient levels of particulate mercury and volatile mercury compounds. Of the different filters checked for particle collection, quartz fibre filters have the best properties. Sampling characteristics were considered with respect to efficiency, reproducibility and duration of sampling. The homogeneity of the solid mercury deposit on the filter was tested. Possible enrichment during sampling by absorption of volatile mercury compounds and possible mercury losses by volatilization of solid compounds were examined. After sampling the mercury is released by pyrolysis and collected on a gold-coated sand absorber. In order to avoid deactivation of the absorber by condensation of pyrolysis products or interference during the subsequent dcsorption and atomic absorption measurement of the collected mercury, a heated catalytic convertor and two specific absorbers for organic substances are inserted in the analysis line.     

Determination of volatile mercury compounds in air with the coleman mercury analyzer system

A simple but very selective cold-vapour atomic absorption system is described for the determination of volatile mercury compounds at very low levels in ambient air. Three different absorbers are compared: activated charcoal, silver-coated sea sand and gold-coated sea sand. To eliminate interferences, a two-step desorption unit is used. After thermal desorption, the mercury is measured by using a modified MAS-50 spectrophotometer. The effects of flow rate and desorption temperature are discussed. The detection limit is 0.1 ng. Above 1 ng, the reproducibility is about 1%. Calibration is done by injection of elemental mercury vapour. The method with gold-coated sand absorbers is most satisfactory and is suitable for the analysis of ambient outdoor and indoor air. All likely volatile mercury compounds are absorbed, and a wide range of mercury concentrations can be determined. In routine application, one analysis takes about 3 min.     

Determination of light hydrocarbons dissolved in seawater

A practical method for the on board determination of light (C1-C4) hydrocarbons dissolved in seawater has been developed. The gaseous hydrocarbons in seawater were extracted quickly with a vacuum sparge tower and determined gas chromatographically. By using two cryogenic columns at dry ice-ethanol temperature (-80 degrees C) connected in series, it was possible to completely collect the hydrocarbons. The precision and sensitivity were comparable to that of previous methods. The analysis was completed within 45 min for one sample and the sample volume was 500 ml. The method was successfully applied to the northern North Pacific water collected in summer 1997. The concentrations of C2-C4 hydrocarbons in surface seawater ranged from several to several tens pmol l(-1), within the range of concentrations in previous studies.     

Determination of mercury in aquatic ecosystems

Small concentrations of mercury are determined by the example of the quantitative recovery of a toxicant from snow water in a segregating system with no organic solvent (water-antipyrine-sulfosalicic acid). The organic component of the system in situ forming as a result of acid-base interactions was used in microliter amounts to modify a graphite indicator electrode and register an analytical signal of mercury. The reliability of the results of voltammetric determination was checked by the independent cold vapor method. Organic components obtained by segregation were used to extract mercury from the conservative ecosystem component, solid snow particles, snow water preconcentrated with a membrane filter, river suspensions from surface water and floodplain soils, and also fish samples. The characteristic features of mercury extraction with a mixture if mineral acids and the liquid organic component of a segregating system with no organic solvent are discussed.     

Determination of 237 Np in marine sediment and seawater

Procedures for determination of neptunium in marine sediment and seawatersamples are described. Iron hydroxide Fe(OH)₂ –Fe(OH)₃ is used for preliminary pre-concentration of neptunium. Secondly,neptunium Np⁴⁺ and Pu³⁺ are separated by tri-isooctylamine-(TIOA)extraction in 8–10M HCl by redox with SO₃ ^2–-Fe³⁺ Neptunium Np⁴⁺ and uranium U⁶⁺ areseparated by back extraction the Np⁴⁺ with 2M HCl. Finally, theneptunium is purified from the uranium and thorium by anion exchange in 8MHNO₃ and 12M HCl. The stripping of 6M HCl + NH₂ OH HClfurther separates the neptunium Np³⁺ and uranium. Reduction bySO 3_2– –Fe³⁺ appeared to be an efficientway to obtain Np⁴⁺ The decontamination factors of the procedureare 4.0. 10⁴ for ²³² Th, 5.6 . 10⁴ for uraniumand 1.6 . 10⁴ for plutonium.     

Speciation analysis of mercury in seawater from the lagoon of Venice by on-line pre-concentration HPLC-ICP-MS

A method based on the coupling of HPLC with ICP-MS with an on-line pre-concentration micro-column has been developed for the analysis of inorganic and methyl mercury in the dissolved phase of natural waters. This method allows the rapid pre-concentration and matrix removal of interferences in complex matrices such as seawater with minimal sampling handling. Detection limits of 0.07 ng L(-1) for inorganic mercury and 0.02 ng L(-1) for methyl mercury have been achieved allowing the determination of inorganic mercury and methyl mercury in filtered seawater from the Venice lagoon. Good accuracy and reproducibility was demonstrated by the repeat analysis of the certified reference material BCR-579 coastal seawater. The developed HPLC separation was shown to be also suitable for the determination of methyl mercury in extracts of the particulate phase.     

固体进样直接测定法测定铜精矿中汞

建立了固体进样直接测定法测定铜精矿中汞含量的方法。铜精矿样品在测汞仪的分解炉中经300℃干燥和750℃高温热分解后,汞被催化分解为汞原子,于850℃齐化成金汞齐。汞蒸气被氧气流带入单波长光学吸收池,在波长253.7 nm处测量汞的吸光度,采用标准曲线法计算汞量。方法的线性范围分别为0~1.00,0~100μg/mL,线性相关系数为0.9999,检出限分别为0.10,0.04 ng/g。5个汞含量不同的铜精矿样品测定结果的相对标准偏差为2.14%~4.35%(n=11),样品加标回收率为92.00%~104.02%。采用该方法分别对2个铜精矿样品和铜精矿国际标准物质进行测定,测定结果与标准分析方法测定值和标准物质标示值基本一致。该方法简便、快速、准确,可以作为标准方法推广使用。     

Determination of cesium in seawater by radiochemical methods

Radiochemical methods for the determination of cesium in seawater are described. Preliminary substoichiometric concentration with nickel hexacyanoferrate(II) and tetraphenylborate and application of selective radiochemical techniques are used. The cesium content in Atlantic Ocean samples is 0.74 ± 0.03 μg l^-1. The method is applicable on board ship. The approach should be generally useful.