Mercury determination ETAAS

Another group of analytical methodologies which can be used for mercury determination within aquatic samples exists, and includes a large diversity of techniques like preconcentration on coated graphite tubes and ETAAS [346,347] as well as with other matrix modifiers [348,349] atomic fluorescence spectrometry (AES) [350-352]) ICP-MS coupled with CV generation [353,354], isotope dilution [355,356], or LC [357 58] GC— FAAS coupled with reversed-phase liquid chromatography [73359360] or, the use of biological substrates for studies on metal speciation [361-363]. 

Gaseous and volatilised analytes can also be easily determined by FAAS and ETAAS. For example, the determination of several elements by the formation of covalent volatile hydrides e.g. arsenic, selenium) and cold vapour generation (mercury and cadmium) is feasible with good analytical sensitivity (see Section 1.4.1.1). 

Work Item B determination of mercury by CVAAS after pressure digestion. Work Item C determination of lead and cadmium by ETAAS after dry ashing. Work Item D performance criteria and general considerations. 

Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) has been the single most important technique in advancing our knowledge of the transition metal distribution in seawater. The graphite-furnace mode is used most frequently. It has the advantage of high sensitivity and therefore small sample volume (e.g., 10-50//L). Major disadvantages are the matrix interferences which usually necessitate a pre-concentration and/or a separation step (see Sections 12.2.1 and 12.2.2). Another application of ETAAS is the cold-vapour technique for the determination of mercury (Section 12.2.4). 

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