Assessment of Modified Matrix Solid-Phase Dispersion as Sample Preparation for the Determination of CH3Hg+ and Hg2+ in Fish

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This paper reports, for the first time, the development of an analytical method employing modified matrix solid-phase dispersion (MSPD) for the extraction of CH3Hg(+) and Hg(2+) species from fish samples. Separation and determination of mercury species were performed by gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (GC/MS). Important MSPD parameters, such as sample mass, type and mass of solid support, concentration of extraction solution (HCl and NaCl), and stirring time, were investigated by the response surface methodology. The derivatization step and the separation of mercury species were also evaluated for the determination by GC/MS. Quantitative recoveries were obtained with 0.2 g of fish sample, 0.5 g of SiO2 as the solid support, 0.5 mol L(-1) NaCl and 4.2 mol L(-1) HCl as the extraction solution, and 1 min stirring time. The MSPD method showed to be suitable for the extraction and determination of mercury species in certified reference materials of dogfish liver (DOLT-3) and dogfish muscle (DORM-2). It had good agreement (about 99%) with the certified values, and the relative standard deviation was lower than 9.5%. The limits of detection were 0.06 and 0.12 μg g(-1), for CH3Hg(+) and Hg(2+), respectively. A matrix effect was observed, and the quantification was carried out by the matrix-matched calibration. The method was applied to tuna fish ( Thunnus thynnus ), angel shark ( Squatina squatina ), and guitarfish ( Rhinobatos percellens ) samples. The results of the mercury speciation by MPSD and GC/MS were compared to the total mercury concentration determined by flow injection cold vapor generation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry, after microwave-assisted digestion. Agreement ranged from 102% to 105%.