Field determination of inorganic mercury in seawaters by a portable dual-channel and purge-and-trap system with atomic fluorescence spectrometry

An on-line flow injection mercury analyser (AMA) for inorganic mercury (Hg) analysis in environmental waters is presented. The FIMA is a portable dual-channel and purge-and-trap system combining aqueous reduction with stannous chloride (SnCl2), two-stage gold (Au) amalgamation, thermal desorption of Hg-0 and final detection with cold vapour atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVAFS). Simultaneous on-line operations of sample loading and analysis make analytical throughput and accuracy improved and contamination eliminated. Results of system optimisation and reliability regarding the determination of inorganic Hg2+ are described. Analytical performances of both channels were the same in terms of data reliability. Low procedural blanks were obtained from laboratory and field trip (<= 5 pg, n = 30). Excellent calibrations (r(2) > 0.99) with a high precision and good stability (RSD <5%, n = 30) were obtained. Detection limits and reproducibility of the methods have been estimated as <= 0.05 ng L-1 and <5% (0.5 ng L-1, n = 30). The system was finally validated by measurements comparison of the two channels (r(2) > 0.98), and analysis of a certified reference material (coastal seawater BCR-579, recoveries 101 +/- 4%, n = 10). Overall, a sample throughput of similar to 10 samples per hour with two-channel detections of FIMA can be achieved. The onboard analysis of inorganic Hg species (e.g. elemental, reactive, and total Hg) in surface seawaters of the East China Sea (ECS) are also successfully achieved. The portable FIMA is fast, easy, and robust for reliable monitoring of Hg in natural seawaters.

Automated summary

An online flow injection mercury analyser (AMA) is introduced for the analysis of inorganic mercury in environmental waters. The analyser combines different techniques to achieve improved analytical throughput and accuracy. System optimisation and reliability tests demonstrate the excellent performance of the instrument.