M02.003 Quantitative determination of mercury in solid samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy

Determination of mercury(I) and (II) in solid samples such as soil, sludge or sediment is carried out by means of a flow injection mercury system (FIMS) which uses atomic absorption as detection (AA). After digesting and the solid samples, 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/kg or mg/kg.