Determination of submicrogram quantities of mercury by atomic absorption spectrophotometry

The procedure outlined describes an extremely sensitive and accurate method for the detn. of Hg down to 1.0 ppb. in soln. This procedure has been applied to Ni and Co metal as well as rock samples and soil samples contg. org. materials. The sample is taken into soln. by an oxidizing acid attack. Hg is then reduced to the elemental state and aerated from soln. in a closed system. The Hg vapor passes through a quartz absorption cell of an at. absorption spectrophotometer where its concn. is measured. The proceure is free from interferences due to org. matter or other volatile constituents of the sam ple. Large amts. of easily reducible elements must be absent from -- AATA