Abstract. We developed a field screening method for the rapid analysis of mercury in water, soil and sediment which can be applied cost-effectively at mercury-contaminated sites . The samples are chemically pretreated in ordinary containers, followed by analysis of the sample headspace mercury vapor using a portable commercially-available analyzer. Mercury in water samples is reduced directly by the addition of stannous chloride, while solids are first digested with aqua regia or piranha solution to liberate the mercury from the solids. Aided by vigorous agitation after addition of the reductant, the elemental mercury partitions between the solution and headspace according to Henry's Law. The method requires about2 and 15 minutes to complete for water and solids, respectively. The method provides very useful detection limits for water (0.1 jig/L) and solids (2-3 /xg/g). Intercomparisons with laboratory-analyzed environmental samples have shown good agreement.
Abstract. We developed a field screening method for the rapid analysis of mercury in water, soil and sediment which can be applied cost-effectively at mercury-contaminated sites . The samples are chemically pretreated in ordinary containers, followed by analysis of the sample headspace mercury vapor using a portable commercially-available analyzer. Mercury in water samples is reduced directly by the addition of stannous chloride, while solids are first digested with aqua regia or piranha solution to liberate the mercury from the solids. Aided by vigorous agitation after addition of the reductant, the elemental mercury partitions between the solution and headspace according to Henry's Law. The method requires about2 and 15 minutes to complete for water and solids, respectively. The method provides very useful detection limits for water (0.1 jig/L) and solids (2-3 /xg/g). Intercomparisons with laboratory-analyzed environmental samples have shown good agreement.
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