Determination of microquantities of mercury(II) with preliminary thin-layer chromatographic separation from mercury(I), lead(II), nickel(II), and copper(II) on acid-treated silica gel layers: Recovery of mercury(II) from river waters and industrial wastewaters

Thin-layer chromatography in combination with spectrophotometry has been applied for the separation and estimation of Hg(II) using silica gel layers impregnated with 2% oxalic acid as stationary phase with an ethyl acetate:acetone:formic acid:water (8:7:4:1) solvent system. Separation of Hg(II) from Hg(I) and of Th⁴⁺ from UO₂²⁺ is not affected by the presence of common anions in the sample solution. Hg(II) has been successfully separated from Ni(II), Cu(II), and Pb(II) over a wide range of pH (0.5–7.0) of sample solution. An attempt has been made to recover Hg(II) from rivers and industrial wastewaters.