Abstract

Three extraction methods, acidic KBr/CuSO4 isolation-methylene chloride extraction. acidic KBr/CuSo4 isolation-methylene chloride extraction with an alkaline digestion pretreatment, and an extration method at a milder condition with citrate buffer and dithizone in chloroform, were studied for methylmercury and ethylmercury determination in soils, sediments and fish samples by the recently developed capillary gas chromatography—atomic fluorescence spectrometry system (GC-AFS). The acidic KBr/CuSO4-methylene chloride extraction and the acidic KBr/CuSO4-methylene chloride extraction with an alkaline digestion pretreatment were shown to be the effective methods for soils/sediments and fish samples analysis, respectively. The presence of ethylmercury species in soils of the Florida Everglades, observed with the acidic KBr/CuSO4 isolation and methylene chloride extraction procedure, was further confirmed with the dithizone complexation/extraction procedure. The GC-AFS analytical method offers high senstivity and selectivity for the determination of organomercury halides. The GC column maintenance, a critical step for organomercury halides analysis using GC, is also discussed.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.