title: Optimization of experimental parameters for the determination of mercury by MIP/AES.
abstract: A system using a microwave induced plasma, as an emission source was optimized for total mercury determinations. The system contains a flow injection section in which mercury is reduced and deposited on a gold/platinum collector, and carried to the emission source. The microwave was generated in a Surfatron cavity. An experimental design was applied to optimize parameters concerning plasma conditions, amalgamation, desorption and mercury vapor generation. The limit of detection of the method was 14 pg ml(-1) of mercury, using peak area mode while LDs was 1.3 pg ml(-1) using peak height mode, with a 2% RSD and a linear dynamic range of almost three orders of magnitude. The accuracy was assessed using a certified reference material of atmospheric particulate National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) 2704. No significant difference at 95% confidence level was observed between the certified value and our result.
authors.affiliation: Centro de Qui&#x0301;mica Anali&#x0301;tica, Escuela de Qui&#x0301;mica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Central de Venezuela, Apartado de Correos 47102, Caracas 1041A, Venezuela.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Murillo
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Carrión
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chirinos
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gammiero
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fassano