Non-dispersive atomic-fluorescence spectrometry for the determination of mercury and its application to fish samples.

A simple non-dispersive atomic-fluorescence spectrometer is described for the assay of mercury in solution at the μg l^?1 level; it has also been applied to fish samples at the mg kg^?1 level. After destruction of the fish sample, the mercury is reduced by tin(II) chloride and released from solution by a stream of argon which crosses the beam of a mercury lamp. The fluorescence signal is detected directly by a solar-blind phototube without the need for monochromators or filters. One analysis requires less than 40 min. The results correlate well with those from atomic-absorption spectrometry and neutron-activation analysis.