Determination of methylmercury in fish samples using GC/AA and sodium tetraethylborate derivatization.
A simple technique is described for the rapid determination of methylmercury in fish tissue. Following simple dissolution in methanolic KOH solution, aqueous phase ethylation by derivatization with NaB(C2H5)4, cryogenic trapping on a packed chromatographic column, and GC separation, volatile mercury species are detected by atomic absorption spectrometry. Absolute detection limits are 4 pg of Hg for CH3Hg+ and 75 pg of Hg for labile Hg2+. Concentration detection limits for this optimized procedure are 4 ng of Hg for CH3Hg+ and 75 ng of Hg for labile Hg2+ per gram of pulverized dried fish tissue. Analysis of standard reference materials demonstrates the accuracy, precision, and reproducibility of the analytical method.
Fischer
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Biogeochemistry Department, Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, Mainz, Germany.
Rapsomanikis
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Andreae
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D000818:Animals; D001881:Borates / Q000737:chemistry; D002849:Chromatography, Gas; D005399:Fishes / Q000378:metabolism*; D006878:Hydroxides / Q000737:chemistry; D000432:Methanol / Q000737:chemistry; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis*; D011188:Potassium / Q000737:chemistry; D017680:Potassium Compounds; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013054:Spectrophotometry, Atomic
D001881:Borates; D006878:Hydroxides; D008767:Methylmercury Compounds; D017680:Potassium Compounds; C080440:sodium tetraethylborate; D011188:Potassium; C029943:potassium hydroxide; D000432:Methanol