title: An MSFIA system for mercury speciation based on an anion-exchange membrane.
abstract: A new methodology for the in-line preconcentration, clean-up and speciation of mercury by use of an anion-exchange membrane is proposed. The speciation of mercury is based on retention of its tetrachloro complex onto the membrane while organic mercury flows freely through it. A multisyringe is used as a liquid driver and a cold vapour atomic fluorescence detector is employed to ensure a high sensitivity. Organic mercury is decomposed into to inorganic mercury by using a UV lamp. The carrier and reductant streams consist of 1.5% (m/v) hydrochloric acid and 2% (m/v) tin chloride, respectively. Certified reference material DORM-2 was digested with 37% hydrochloric acid and analysed directly without the need for extraction. The proposed system is more environmental friendly than the classical liquid-liquid extraction procedure. Mercury recoveries from spiked samples and the reference material were all close to 100%. An LOD of 14 and 16 ng/L was obtained for total and organic mercury, respectively, both with an RSD less than 1.3%.
authors.affiliation: Department of Chemistry, Automation and the Environment Analytical Chemistry Group, University of the Balearic Islands, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Serra
authors.forename: J M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Estela
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Cerdà
mesh_terms: D055772:Green Chemistry Technology; D007474:Ion Exchange; D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D008628:Mercury / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D008722:Methods; D009941:Organomercury Compounds / Q000032:analysis / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D012015:Reference Standards
chemical_list: D008567:Membranes, Artificial; D009941:Organomercury Compounds; D008628:Mercury