M02.004 Quantitative determination of mercury in aqueous samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Determination of mercury(I) and (II) in different types of water such as potable water, surface water, rainwater and wastewater is carried out by means of a flow injection mercury system (FIMS) which uses atomic absorption as detection (AA). To oxidize the mercury in its divalent form, aqueous samples are treated with KBr- KBrO3. After that, tin(II) chloride reduces Hg2+ to elementary mercury. This elementary mercury can be analysed by FIMS at the wavelength of 253,7 nm. The concentration in samples is quantified with an external calibration and results are reported in µg/L or mg/L.