Trace determination of mercury in biological materials by flameless atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A new rapid wet-ashing procedure for biological material is described. The samples are boiled for 5–10 min in a mixture of nitric and hydrobromic acid under reflux. Mercury is then determined by the flameless cold-vapour, atomic absorption technique and complete release is shown to occur even when the fat present is not fully decomposed. The results are discussed with regard to the normal bromine and iodine content of marine samples. The enhancement obtained with bromine can easily be compensated by digesting the standards. Iodine, however, reduces the peak heights and the content of this element must be judged separately for samples other than fish, which can always be safely analysed without interference.