A modified method for the determination of methylmercury by gas chromatography

A simple modification of the West?? extraction procedure for methylmercury and its determination by gas chromatography (GC) is presented. The cysteine clean-up step has been modified, with use of cysteine-impregnated paper instead of cysteine solution. Methylmercury bromide is extracted from the sample into toluene and is selectively adsorbed on the cysteine paper. Interfering compounds are washed from the paper with toluene. The isolated methylmercury is set free with sulphuric acid containing bromide, extracted into benzene and determined by GC. The modification of the extraction procedure results in good recovery and reproducibility for various biological and environmental samples, good sensitivity with a detection limit of 0.1 ng/g, avoidance of difficulties arising from emulsion formation, cleaner chromatograms, and faster analysis. It is particularly suitable for determination of low levels of MeHg.