Determination of Total Mercury by Vapor Generation In Situ Trapping Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

The analytical performance of non-chromatographic coupled hydride generation, integrated atom trap (HG–IAT) atomizer flame absorption spectrometry (FAAS) systems were evaluated for the determination of total mercury in environmental samples. Mercury, using formation of mercury vapors were atomized in air-acetylene flame-heated IAT. A new design of vapor generation integrated atom trap flame atomic absorption spectrometry (VG–IAT– FAAS) hyphenated technique that would exceed the operational capabilities of existing arrangements was investigated. This novel approach enables to decrease the detection limit down to low pg mL–1 levels. The concentration detection limit, defined as 3 times the blank standard deviation was 0.4 ng mL–1. For a 120 s in situ pre-concentration time (sample volume of 2 mL), sensitivity enhancement compared to flame AAS, was 750 folds for Hg, using vapor generation-atom trapping technique. The sensitivity can be further improved by increasing the collection time. The precision, expressed by RSD, was 9.3% (n = 6) for Hg. Reference and real sample materials were analyzed. The accuracy of the method was verified by the use of certified reference materials and by aqueous standard calibration technique.The measured Hg content, in reference materials, were in satisfactory agreement with the certified values. The hyphenated technique was applied for mercury determinations in coal fly ash, sewage and water.