The toxicological effects of mercury have been recognised for many years, but it was not until the disaster at Minamata Bay in 1953 that the subject received world-wide attention. Since then it has become well known that organomercury compounds such as methyl mercury chloride and ethyl mercury chloride are much more toxic than inorganic mercury.  It is therefore essential to be able to identify and quantify mercury in the environment in an attempt to fully understand mercury’s role in the biogeochemical cycle. Suitable extraction procedures must be used in conjunction with the best separation and detection techniques in order to determine individual species.

Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry offers excellent sensitivity, selectivity, linearity, accuracy and precision for the determination of mercury.  Furthermore, atomic fluorescence detectors are very compact, inexpensive and can be easily coupled to separation techniques such as such as HPLC and GC in order to carry out the speciation of mercury.

For the HPLC separation of mercury species, a column suitable for the separation of the organo-mercury species is connected to an HPLC pump fitted with solvent handing accessory and manual injection valve. The column outlet is connected to the PSA 10.025 Millennium Merlin where the separated mercury species are oxidised to Mercury²⁺. Stannous chloride is added in the gas liquid separator where mercury⁰ vapour is released which is measured, using Atomic fluorescence spectrometry operating in continuous flow mode.

P S Analytical offer both Agilent and Dionex options for the separation of mercury species using the PSA Millennium Merlin the detector.

PSA 10.825 ISOCRATIC LC SYSTEM FOR THE SPECIATION OF MERCURY

This system consists of a 1200 series Isocratic pump, manual injection valve and solvent cabinet. By adding this system to a PSA 10.025 Millennium Merlin, a PC and a suitable column the user has a powerful analytical tool for mercury speciation.

The 1200 series pump is made of robust materials to withstand the most demanding of solvent compositions. The seal wash option for high salt mobile phases keeps maintenance to a minimum, thereby providing lower operational costs.

The system can be enhanced by the C723I009 ChemStation base software. This software is the industries' most widely sold data system.

PSA 10.826 ISOCRATIC LC SYSTEM FOR THE SPECIATION OF MERCURY

This system consists of a 3100 series Isocratic pump, manual injection valve and solvent rack. By adding this system to a PSA 10.025 Millennium Merlin, a PC and a suitable column the user has a powerful analytical tool for mercury speciation. The 3100 series pump is made of robust materials to withstand the most demanding of solvent compositions. The seal wash option for high salt mobile phases keeps maintenance to a minimum, thereby providing lower operational costs.

The system can be enhanced by the addition of Chromeleon software which offers control and data handling including integration facilities.

Other systems are available if additional facilities like degassing or quaternary mixing are required.

All of these systems provide the ideal platform for labs that need an easy-to-learn and easy-to-use system, which can be scaled up and extended as the labs needs grow.

Typical Results achieved for Reference Materials

Typical Chromatogram obtained using an isocratic LC System in conjunction with the PSA 10.025 Millennium Merlin

MeHg in Hair Reference Material (IAEA-085)

For those laboratories already having an HPLC system only the column and PSA 10.025 Millennium Merlin is required.

10.725 GC SYSTEM FOR THE SPECIATION OF MERCURY

The system comprises an atomic fluorescence spectrometer with integrated pyrolysis control unit coupled to gas chromatographic column output for the determination of mercury at ultra trace levels. The detector uses a low pressure Hg lamp as the excitation source and detection by Photo-multiplier. The system is suitable for both routine and research applications.

The instrument can be used for a range of applications and typical results have shown excellent agreement with certified reference materials. Both HPLC and GC approaches offer different advantages, please contact your local distributor or PSA directly to see which approach would best suit your particular application.

Typical Results achieved for Reference Materials

Typical Chromatogram obtained on the 10.725 GC-AFS System

To discuss your particular requirements and for more detailed information on any of the above products please complete the Information Request Form.

For information on the speciation of Arsenic, Selenium and Antimony please follow the appropriate link below:

Arsenic

Selenium

Antimony