Storage and stability of inorganic and methylmercury solutions

Summary The storage behaviour of mercurychloride and methylmercury chloride solutions in deionized water and in seawater stored in polyethylene (PE), pyrex glass and teflon (PTFE) containers at various concentration levels (4 ppb, 50 ppt, natural seawater concentrations) was studied using various preservatives and container pretreament procedures. For PE bottles, the best results are obtained, after pretreatment of the bottles with an acidified KMnO₄ solution, with a 0.05% (v/v) H₂SO₄+0.02% (w/v) KMnO₄ preservative. However, the solution becomes heterogeneous rather fast, due to the formation of a MnO₂ precipitate. Acidified (pH 1 with HNO₃) deionized or seawater samples stored in pyrex glass BOD-bottles (analyses are carried out in these bottles too) or teflon containers are stable with respect to inorganic mercury for at least 1 month. Instead of acidification an oxidant such as BrCl can also be used to stabilize the solution. Methylmercury solutions (80 ppt) in deionized water (pH 6) and stored in teflon containers are stable for at least 1 month. In glass bottles, the solution should be acidified to pH 1. Methylmercury seems to be unstable in acidified seawater samples (pH 1 with HNO₃); after 2 weeks about 60% of the methylmercury is converted into inorganic mercury.     

Problems with sub-p.p.b. mercury determinations: preservation of standards and prevention of water mist interferences

Instrumentation, for the cold-vapor atomic absorption determination of mercury has been improved by several modifications including an a.c.—d.c. switching circuit; a single module for the light source, beam splitter, and reference PMT; and the use of an electrically heated glass tube to vaporize water mist, in place of the conventional magnesium perchlorate drying tube. Its use to study the effectiveness of nine common oxidizing agents as preservatives for sub-p.p.b. concentrations of mercury(II) in distilled water has shown that only combinations of nitric acid with potassium dichromate or gold(III) are suitable.     

Determination of total mercury and methylmercury in biological samples by photochemical vapor generation

Cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) based on photochemical reduction by exposure to UV radiation is described for the determination of methylmercury and total mercury in biological samples. Two approaches were investigated: (a) tissues were digested in either formic acid or tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), and total mercury was determined following reduction of both species by exposure of the solution to UV irradiation; (b) tissues were solubilized in TMAH, diluted to a final concentration of 0.125% m/v TMAH by addition of 10% v/v acetic acid and CH₃Hg⁺ was selectively quantitated, or the initial digests were diluted to 0.125% m/v TMAH by addition of deionized water, adjusted to pH 0.3 by addition of HCl and CH₃Hg⁺ was selectively quantitated. For each case, the optimum conditions for photochemical vapor generation (photo-CVG) were investigated. The photochemical reduction efficiency was estimated to be ∼95% by comparing the response with traditional SnCl₂ chemical reduction. The method was validated by analysis of several biological Certified Reference Materials, DORM-1, DORM-2, DOLT-2 and DOLT-3, using calibration against aqueous solutions of Hg²⁺; results showed good agreement with the certified values for total and methylmercury in all cases. Limits of detection of 6 ng/g for total mercury using formic acid, 8 ng/g for total mercury and 10 ng/g for methylmercury using TMAH were obtained. The proposed methodology is sensitive, simple and inexpensive, and promotes “green” chemistry. The potential for application to other sample types and analytes is evident.     

Interlaboratory determination of boron compounds in preservative treated timber

Accurate analysis for preservatives in treated timber is an integral part of quality assurance in the New Zealand timber preservation industry. The continued high volume use of boron-treated timber has highlighted the requirement for reliable methods to determine boron-containing preservatives in timber. Several aspects of a leaching-titration method are discussed in an effort to validate and standardize laboratory analysis of samples for the timber preservation industry. Steam volatility was found not to be a problem. The limit of detection was 0.007% (w/w) H₃BO₃ and the relative standard deviation of 50 replicate analyses was 2.2%. Statistical outliers and stragglers were identified by Cochran's test. The precision data (repeatability and reproducibility) from an interlaboratory determination of boric acid in timber were 0.0133–0.0273 and 0.0194–0.0535% H₃BO₃, respectively, over six concentration levels. Recommendations for maintaining active quality assurance programmes are made.     

Detoxification of mercury species—an in vitro study with antidotes in human whole blood

To investigate the effects of mercury species intoxication and to test the efficiency of different commonly applied antidotes, human whole blood and plasma surrogate samples were spiked with inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methylmercury (MeHg⁺, CH₃Hg⁺) prior to treatment with the antidotes 2,3-dimercaptopropan-1-ol (British Anti Lewisite), 2,3-dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA), and N-acetylcysteine (NAC). For mercury speciation analysis in these samples, liquid chromatography was coupled to either inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) or electrospray ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (ESI-TOF-MS). Adduct formation between mercury species and physiological thiols (cysteine and glutathione) was observed as well as the release of glutathione under treatment with the antidotes DMSA and NAC.     

The determination of beryllium in geological and industrial materials by atomic-absorption spectrometry after cation-exchange separation

A method is described for the determination of beryllium in geological and industrial samples. After dissolution of the sample in mineral acids, beryllium is separated from the matrix elements by chloroform extraction of its acetylacetonate from a solution of pH 7 containing ascorbic acid and EDTA. Beryllium is separated from the organic extract and from co-extracted aluminium by means of a column of the strongly acidic cation-exchanger Dowex 50; beryllium is adsorbed from a medium consisting of 60 % (v/v) tetrahydrofuran, 30 % (v/v) chloroform and 10 % (v/v) methanol containing hydrochloric acid, aluminium is removed with 0.4 M oxalic acid and after elution with 6 M hydrochloric acid, beryllium is determined by atomic-absorption spectrometry with a nitrous oxide-acetylene flame. The method was used to determine p.p.m. and sub-p.p.m. quantities of beryllium in geochemical reference materials, U₃O₃ and yellow cake samples, and manganese nodules.     

Determination of inorganic and total mercury by vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometry using different temperatures of the measurement cell

A simple and inexpensive laboratory-built flow injection vapor generation system coupled to atomic absorption spectrometry (FI-VG AAS) for inorganic and total mercury determination has been developed. It is based on the vapor generation of total mercury and a selective detection of Hg^2 + or total mercury by varying the temperature of the measurement cell. Only the inorganic mercury is measured when the quartz cell is at room temperature, and when the cell is heated to 650 °C or higher the total Hg concentration is measured. The organic Hg concentration in the sample is calculated from the difference between the total Hg and Hg^2 + concentrations. Parameters such as the type of acid (HCl or HNO₃) and its concentration, reductant (NaBH₄) concentration, carrier solution (HCl) flow rate, carrier gas flow rate, sample volume and quartz cell temperature, which influence FI-VG AAS system performance, were systematically investigated. The optimized conditions for Hg^2 + and total Hg determinations were: 1.0 mol l^− 1 HCl as carrier solution, carrier flow rate of 3.5 ml min^− 1, 0.1% (m/v) NaBH₄, reductant flow rate of 1.0 ml min^− 1 and carrier gas flow rate of 200 ml min^− 1. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is lower than 5.0% for a 1.0 μg l^− 1 Hg solution and the limit of quantification (LOQ, 10 s) is 55 ng g^− 1. Certified samples of dogfish muscle (DORM-1 and DORM-2) and non-certified fish samples were analyzed, using a 6.0 mol l^− 1 HCl solution for analyte extraction. The Hg^2 + and CH₃Hg⁺ concentrations found were in agreement with certified ones.     

Validation of a simplified field-adapted procedure for routine determinations of methyl mercury at trace levels in natural water samples using species-specific isotope dilution mass spectrometry

A field-adapted procedure based on species-specific isotope dilution (SSID) methodology for trace-level determinations of methyl mercury (CH₃Hg⁺) in mire, fresh and sea water samples was developed, validated and applied in a field study. In the field study, mire water samples were filtered, standardised volumetrically with isotopically enriched CH₃²⁰⁰Hg⁺, and frozen on dry ice. The samples were derivatised in the laboratory without further pre-treatment using sodium tetraethyl borate (NaB(C₂H₅)₄) and the ethylated methyl mercury was purge-trapped on Tenax columns. The analyte was thermo-desorbed onto a GC-ICP-MS system for analysis. Investigations preceding field application of the method showed that when using SSID, for all tested matrices, identical results were obtained between samples that were freeze-preserved or analysed unpreserved. For DOC-rich samples (mire water) additional experiments showed no difference in CH₃Hg⁺ concentration between samples that were derivatised without pre-treatment or after liquid extraction. Extractions of samples for matrix–analyte separation prior to derivatisation are therefore not necessary. No formation of CH₃Hg⁺ was observed during sample storage and treatment when spiking samples with ¹⁹⁸Hg²⁺. Total uncertainty budgets for the field application of the method showed that for analyte concentrations higher than 1.5 pg g^–1 (as Hg) the relative expanded uncertainty (REU) was approximately 5% and dominated by the uncertainty in the isotope standard concentration. Below 0.5 pg g^–1 (as Hg), the REU was >10% and dominated by variations in the field blank. The uncertainty of the method is sufficiently low to accurately determine CH₃Hg⁺ concentrations at trace levels. The detection limit was determined to be 4 fg g^–1 (as Hg) based on replicate analyses of laboratory blanks. The described procedure is reliable, considerably faster and simplified compared to non-SSID methods and thereby very suitable for routine applications of CH₃Hg⁺ speciation analysis in a wide range of water samples.     

Simple and Equipment-Free Paper-Based Device for Determination of Mercury in Contaminated Soil

This work presents a simple and innovative protocol employing a microfluidic paper-based analytical device (µPAD) for equipment-free determination of mercury. In this method, mercury (II) forms an ionic-association complex of tetraiodomercurate (II) ion (HgI₄²⁻_(aq)) using a known excess amount of iodide. The residual iodide flows by capillary action into a second region of the paper where it is converted to iodine by pre-deposited iodate to liberate I_2(g) under acidic condition. Iodine vapor diffuses across the spacer region of the µPAD to form a purple colored of tri-iodide starch complex in a detection zone located in a separate layer of the µPAD. The digital image of the complex is analyzed using ImageJ software. The method has a linear calibration range of 50–350 mg L⁻¹ Hg with the detection limit of 20 mg L⁻¹. The method was successfully applied to the determination of mercury in contaminated soil and water samples which the results agreed well with the ICP-MS method. Three soil samples were highly contaminated with mercury above the acceptable WHO limits (0.05 mg kg⁻¹). To the best of our knowledge, this is the first colorimetric µPAD method that is applicable for soil samples including mercury contaminated soils from gold mining areas.     

Increased mercury contamination of distilled and natural water samples caused by oxidizing preservatives

The passage of mercury vapor from ambient air through the walls of conventional polyethylene (CPE), linear polyethylene (LPE), and Teflon (FEP) containers can seriously contaminate solutions of distilled and natural water stored in these containers. The rate of mercury contamination is dramatically increased when the sample solution contains oxidizing agents such as nitric acid or potassium permanganate, which are commonly used as preservatives to prevent loss of mercury(II) ion. The rate of contamination also depends on container material and decreases in the order CPE> LPE> FEP> glass. Freezing the samples in plastic containers is an effective way to prevent mercury contamination. When freezing is not practical, storage in glass containers minimizes sample contamination from ambient mercury vapor.     

Preconcentration and speciation of inorganic and methyl mercury in waters using polyaniline and gold trap-CVAAS

Applicability of polyaniline (PANI) has been investigated for the preconcentration and speciation of inorganic mercury (Hg²⁺) and methyl mercury (CH₃Hg⁺) in various waters (ground, lake and sea waters). Preliminary experiments (batch) with powdered PANI for the quantitative removal of both Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺ showed that the retention of Hg²⁺ was almost independent of pH while a pH dependent trend from pH 1 to 12 was seen for CH₃Hg⁺ with maximum retention at pH > 5. Time dependence batch studies showed that a contact time of 10 min was sufficient to reach equilibrium. The K_d values were found to be ∼8 × 10⁴ and ∼7 × 10³ for Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺, respectively.Subsequently column experiments were carried out with PANI and the separation of the species was carried out by selective and sequential elution with 0.3% HCl for CH₃Hg⁺ and 0.3% HCl-0.02% thiourea for Hg²⁺. This was then followed by further pre-concentration of mercury on a gold trap and its determination by CVAAS. The uptake efficiency studies showed that the PANI column was able to accumulate up to 100 mg Hg²⁺/g and 2.5 mg CH₃Hg⁺/g. This method allows both preconcentration and speciation of mercury with preconcentration factors around 120 and 60 for Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺, respectively. The interfering effects of various foreign substances on the retention of mercury were investigated.     

Determination of Traces of Osmium Tetroxide by the Fluorescence of the OsO4,-4, 6-Bismethylthio-5-Aminopyrimidine System

Abstract

An indirect method for the determination of OsO₄, in the p.p.m. region is possible by measuring the decrease in fluorescence of the 4,6-bismethylthio-5-aminopyrimidine when OsO₄, is added. At liquid N₂ temperatures 10 p.p.b. OsO₄, can be detected. The OsO₄, to ligand ratio was found to be 2:3. For 1 p.p.m. OsO₄, 10 p.p.m. Ir⁺³, 1 p.p.m. Fe⁺³ and less than 1 p.p.m. Ru⁺³ and Pd⁺² can be tolerated. The fluorescent system is not affected by pH in the 3–12 ranges. It is suggested that the decrease in fluorescence results from a complexation reaction with the first site of reaction being the NH₂. group. With increasing OsO₄, concentration, oxidation appears to occur which produces a black product. This oxidation was not observed at p.p.b. concentrations of Os.     

Ultrasound-assisted vapor generation of mercury

Cold vapor generation arising from reduction of both Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺ occurs using ultrasonic (US) fields of sufficient density to achieve both localized heating as well as radical-based attack in solutions of formic and acetic acids and tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH). A batch sonoreactor utilizing an ultrasonic probe as an energy source and a flow through system based on a US bath were optimized for this purpose. Reduction of CH₃Hg⁺ to Hg⁰ occurs only at relatively high US field density (>10 W cm⁻³ of sample solution) and is thus not observed when a conventional US bath is used for cold vapor generation. Speciation of mercury is thus possible by altering the power density during the measurement process. Thermal reduction of Hg²⁺ is efficient in formic acid and TMAH at 70 °C and occurs in the absence of the US field. Room temperature studies with the batch sonoreactor reveal a slow reduction process, producing temporally broad signals having an efficiency of approximately 68% of that arising from use of a conventional SnCl₂ reduction system. Molecular species of mercury are generated at high concentrations of formic and acetic acid. Factors affecting the generation of Hg⁰ were optimized and the batch sonoreactor used for the determination of total mercury in SLRS-4 river water reference material.     

Routine analysis of mercury species using commercially available instrumentation: chemometric optimisation of the instrumental variables

Mercury speciation analysis (inorganic mercury, Hg²⁺, methylmercury, CH₃Hg⁺ and dimethylmercury, (CH₃)₂Hg) by gas chromatography (GC) coupled to atomic emission spectroscopy with microwave induced plasma as excitation source (MIP-AES), after ethylation of the sample and extraction of the derivatised species into an organic phase, has been optimised using factorial design, analysis of variance and MultiSimplex techniques. Standard conditions were used in the derivatisation step with sodium tetraethylborate (NaB(C₂H₅)₄) and in the extraction step into hexane. Good separation of the species investigated and maximum sensitivity was achieved using an OV-1701 capillary column. The sensitivity was found to be maximum with an helium flow rate (make-up flow) of 100 ml min⁻¹. Procedures for a correct cleaning of glass and plastic ware, as well as for the purification of reagents used throughout the analytical process, are also suggested in order to avoid unacceptably high blank signals. The effect that ageing of stock solutions used in calibrations has on the artefact formation of CH₃Hg⁺ has been also investigated. Using the optimum conditions found, good quality calibration curves (R²>0.995) for the three mercury species were obtained. Absolute detection limits of 0.5, 3 and 15 pg of (CH₃)₂Hg, CH₃Hg⁺ and Hg²⁺, respectively, were estimated. The repeatability of the analysis was found to be better than 5% (n=5) in relative standard deviation (R.S.D.) units. The optimised procedure for the speciation of mercury in standard samples is the first step in the development of a method for routine analysis of mercury species in aquatic environmental samples.     

The influence of preservation method and time on the δ13C value of dissolved inorganic carbon in water samples

The precise δ¹³C value of dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) is important for various types of ecological studies. Without a preservation agent, microbial degradation of organic compounds continues in water samples and the δ¹³C value of DIC will become more depleted with time. HgCl₂ or acidification is often used to prevent microbial activity in water samples collected for carbon isotope ratio analyses of DIC. Mercury compounds are toxic and result in waste disposal problems. Other inhibiting agents or preservation methods are therefore needed. Two possible solutions are to use copper sulphate (CuSO₄) as a preservative agent or to acidify water samples with phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄) within 12 mL measurement Exetainers® (septum‐capped vials). We prepared a set of lake water samples in three types of vials: glass vials with silicone/PTFE septa, high‐density polyethylene vials (HD‐PE, scintillation vials) and Exetainers (12 mL) with butyl rubber septa. Samples in glass and PE vials were preserved with and without CuSO₄, whereas lake water was injected into the Exetainer and acidified with H₃PO₄. Isotope ratios were measured in two laboratories over 6 months. The δ¹³C values of DIC systematically increased with storage time for samples preserved in glass and PE vials with and without CuSO₄. A strong correlation between a decrease of CO₂ concentration and an increase in DIC δ¹³C values was found. The δ¹³C values and DIC concentrations were stable for 6 months in acidified samples stored in Exetainers with butyl rubber septa. Therefore, we conclude that the best method for up to 6 months of storage is to inject samples in the field into butyl rubber septum capped Exetainers® containing H₃PO₄, thereby avoiding the use of preservatives. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Ionic liquids dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction and HPLC‐atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of mercury species in environmental waters

An ionic liquid (IL) based dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction combined with HPLC hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry method for the preconcentration and determination of mercury species in environmental water samples is described. Four mercury species (MeHg⁺, EtHg⁺, PhHg⁺, and Hg²⁺) were complexed with dithionate and the neutral chelates were extracted into IL drops using dispersive liquid–liquid microextraction. Variables affecting the formation and extraction of mercury dithizonates were optimized. The optimum conditions found were as follows: IL‐type and amount, 0.05 g of 1‐octyl‐3‐methylimidazolium hexafluorophosphate; dispersive solvents type and amount, 500 μL of acetone; pH, 6; extraction time, 2 min; centrifugation time, 12 min; and no sodium chloride addition. Under the optimized conditions, the detection limits of the analytes were 0.031 μg/L for Hg²⁺, 0.016 μg/L for MeHg⁺, 0.024 μg/L for EtHg⁺, and 0.092 μg/L for PhHg⁺, respectively. The repeatability of the method, expressed as RSD, was between 1.4 and 5.2% (n = 10), and the average recoveries for spiked test were 96.9% for Hg²⁺, 90.9% for MeHg⁺, 90.5% for EtHg⁺, 92.3% for PhHg⁺, respectively. The developed method was successfully applied for the speciation of mercury in environmental water samples.     

Electrochemical reduction of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid. mechanism and analytical applications

The electrochemical reduction of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid has been studied at the dropping mercury electrode (DME) and the pyrolytic graphite electrode (PGE). At the DME the single polarographic reduction wave observed at pH 6–11 involves a direct 4e—2H⁺ reduction of the carbon-halogen bond to give hydurilic acid and chloride. The state of hydration or ionization of the 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid has no effect on the electrochemical reaction. At the PGE, 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid shows two voltammetric peaks. Peak I_c, observed between pH 5 and 7, arises from an overall 4e—2H⁺ reduction of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid via a mechanism that involves initial electron attack at a carbonyl group alpha to a carbon-halogen bond with simultaneous elimination of chloride ion. The peak II_c process involves an initial 2e—1H⁺ reduction of a partially hydrated form of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid with only one unhydrated halocarbonyl moiety available for reaction. Attack is again via the carbonyl group with simultaneous elimination of chloride and formation of 5-chlorohydurilic acid. A chemical dehydration step then occurs with a rate constant of ca. 0.24 s^?1 at pH 8.2, with formation of a further reducible halocarbonyl group. This is again reduced in an overall 2e—2H⁺ reaction to give hydurilic acid and chloride ion. The peak II_c process hence proceeds via an ECE mechanism. The different mechanisms observed for reduction of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid at mercury and pyrolytic graphite electrodes are unusual. Analytical methods have been developed for the polarographic determination of 5,5′-dichlorohydurilic acid via its reduction wave at the DME, and for the voltammetric determination of hydurilic acid via its first oxidation peak at the PGE.     

Sulfhydryl-functionalised magnetic nanoparticles as sorbent in dispersive solid-phase extraction for the rapid enrichment of mercury species from natural water samples

The sulfhydryl-functionalised core-shell Fe₃O₄@SiO₂ magnetic nanoparticles (Fe₃O₄@SiO₂–RSH MNPs)-based dispersive solid-phase extraction method was developed. The goal of this method is the extraction of mercury species from natural water samples. An interesting aspect of the method is that, thanks to the spontaneously aggregate, the MNPs with a sub-30-nm-size range could be fast and efficiently extracted by 0.45 μm pore size mixed cellulose esters membrane filter. Thus, the elution step can be conducted by passing small amounts eluent through the MNPs on the membrane. It is also found that addition of Ag⁺ to water sample could improve the elution efficiency, and furthermore, minimises the matrix effects during the extraction of mercury species from natural water samples. The feasibility of the method was studied, and extraction efficiency was evaluated. The results showed that, calculated at 5 ng/L spiked concentration levels, absolute recoveries were 89.4%, 91.9% and 64.2%, and enrichment factors (EFs) were 596, 613 and 428, for inorganic mercury, methylmercury and ethylmercury, respectively. The high EFs were achieved in 5 min of overall extraction time. The method was applied to groundwater and river water samples. The results showed that its suitability for use in fast extracting trace levels of mercury species from natural water samples.     

Non-chromatographic speciation analysis of mercury by flow injection on-line preconcentration in combination with chemical vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

A novel non-chromatographic approach for direct speciation of mercury, based on the selective retention inorganic mercury and methylmercury on the inner wall of a knotted reactor by using ammonium diethyl dithiophosphate and dithizone as complexing agents respectively, was developed for flow injection on-line sorption preconcentration coupled with chemical vapor generation non-dispersive atomic fluorescence spectrometry. With the sample pH kept at 2.0, the preconcentration of inorganic mercury on the inner walls of the knotted reactor was carried out based on the exclusive retention of Hg–DDP complex in the presence of methylmercury via on-line merging the sample solution with ammonium diethyl dithiophosphate solution, and selective preconcentration methylmercury was achieved with dithizone instead of ammonium diethyl dithiophosphate. A 15% (v/v) HCl was introduced to elute the retained mercury species and merge with KBH₄ solution for atomic fluorescence spectrometry detection. Under the optimal experimental conditions, the sample throughputs of inorganic mercury and methylmercury were 30 and 20 h^− 1 with the enhancement factors of 13 and 24. The detection limits were found to be 3.6 ng l^− 1 for Hg²⁺ and 2.0 ng l^− 1 for CH₃Hg⁺. The precisions (RSD) for the 11 replicate measurements of each 0.2 μg l^− 1 of Hg²⁺ and CH₃Hg⁺ were 2.2% and 2.8%, respectively. The developed method was validated by the analysis of certified reference materials (simulated natural water, rice flour and pork) and by recovery measurements on spiked samples, and was applied to the determination of inorganic mercury and methylmercury in biological and environmental water samples.     

Non-chromatographic screening method for the determination of mercury species. Application to the monitoring of mercury levels in Antarctic samples

A simple non-chromatographic method for the determination of mercury (Hg²⁺), methylmercury (MeHg⁺), dimethylmercury (Me₂Hg), and phenylmercury (PhHg⁺) employing atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) as detection technique was developed. Mercury species showed a particular behavior in the presence of several reagents. In a first stage SnCl₂ was employed for Hg²⁺ determination; in a second step, [Hg²⁺ + PhHg⁺] concentration was determined using SnCl₂ and UV radiation. MeHg⁺ decomposition was prevented adding 2-mercaptoethanol. In a third stage, [Hg²⁺ + PhHg⁺ + MeHg⁺] concentration was determined using K₂S₂O₈. Finally, the four species were determined employing NaBH₄. Reagents concentration and flow rates were optimized. The extraction technique of mercury species involved the use of 2-mercaptoethanol as ion-pair reagent. The limits of detection for Hg²⁺, PhHg⁺, MeHg⁺, and Me₂Hg were 1, 40, 68, and 99 ng L⁻¹ with a relative standard deviation of 1.5, 3.1, 4.7 and 5.8%, respectively. Calibration curve was linear with a correlation factor equal to 0.9995. The method was successfully applied to the determination of the mercury species in two Antarctic materials: IRMM 813 (Adamussium colbecki) and MURST-ISS-A2 (Antarctic Krill).