Direct Measurement of Elemental Mercury Using Multidimensional Gas Chromatography with Microwave-Induced Helium Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

Abstract

Microwave-induced helium plasma atomic emission spectroscopy permits direct measurement of picogram levels of elemental mercury in various matrices when combined with multidimensional gas chromatography. Two columns with different stationary phases provide excellent separation for elemental mercury, and multidimensional analysis improves the reliability, performance, and system cleanliness of atomic emission detection. The possibility of false positive identification is substantially eliminated, and excellent sensitivity for the target compound was attained with the use of two selective columns and atomic emission detection at 254 nm. A flame ionization detector was incorporated as part of the system configuration to increase analytical platform capability and flexibility. Elemental mercury was measured in gas matrices over a range of 0.1–170 μg/m3 having a correlation coefficient of R 2 = 0.9995, a precision of less than 5% relative standard deviation (n = 10), and a measured recovery exceeding 99% in natural gas as a model matrix. The total analysis time is less than 10 min. Only a small 1 mL sample volume is needed, and the described approach does not rely on any form of sample enrichment. The utility of multidimensional gas chromatography with microwave-induced helium plasma atomic emission spectroscopy is demonstrated with challenging industrial applications, such as the measurement of elemental mercury in natural gas, industrial solvents, and vapor generated from ruptured compact fluorescent light bulbs.

A triphenylamine-based fluorescent probe with phenylboronic acid for highly selective detection of Hg2+ and CH3Hg+ in groundwater

“…Over the past decades, many detection techniques, including high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), 18 gas chromatography (GC), 19 atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AFS) 20 and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), 21 have been developed for the detection of mercury. Nevertheless, such detection techniques usually require expensive instruments and tedious sample pre-preparation, and fail to meet the rapid, in situ and online mercury detection requirements.…”

Highly Selective and Sensitive Ratiometric Detection of Sn2+ Ions Using NIR-Excited Rhodamine-B-Linked Upconversion Nanophosphors

“…A number of analytical methods have been used for the detection/screening of Sn 2+ ions, which include direct ion-concentration measurements such as atomic absorption spectroscopy and microwave-induced atomic emission spectrometry, or indirect, probe-based techniques such as electrochemical, colorimetric, and fluorometric assays. The direct methods, although provide good selectivity and sensitivity of detection, are expensive and tedious, which makes them unsuitable for real-time and in situ analysis. − Electrochemical methods, which rely on differences in the redox potential of ions, have poor selectivity and reproducibility. Certain colorimetry and fluorometry-based analytical chemosensors, using organic dyes and nanoparticles, have been developed for the selective detection of tin ions. − These sensors have good selectivity but show poor sensitivity and reproducibility, thus providing limited detection efficiency.…”

Greenish‐Yellow Emitting Carbon Dots as ‘On‐Off‐On’ Fluorescent Probe for Selective Determination of Mercury (II) and Sulphide Ions

“…Hence, it is necessary to develop simple operative system to detect sulphide ions from biological and environmental concern. [8][9][10][11] To date, number of conventional methods, such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), [12] inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), [13] atomic fluorescence spectroscopy (AFS) [14] and atomic emission spectroscopy (AES) [15] have been used for mercury detection.However, the routine use of these techniques is restricted due to limitations associated with these techniques such as lengthy and complicated sample preparation procedures and sophisticated instrumentation. On the other hand, carbon dots as a fluorescent sensor shows high sensitivity, involves effortless procedure and provide rapid results.…”