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Interference from Soluble Iron on Mercury Determination in Water by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CV-AAS) with Sodium Borohydride as Reductant

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Abstract

This study demonstrated the signal enhancement interference from soluble iron (Fe) during mercury (Hg) determination in water by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) using sodium borohydride (NBH4) as reductant. In the presence of 50 mg L−1 soluble Fe, Hg values will be overestimated by around 25%. The reason for the Hg signal enhancement is still unclear, but it is speculated to be attributable to the catalyst function for the equilibrium reduction reaction between Hg2+ and BH4− from the atomic Fe formed at the same time. Using the matrix matching calibration standards prepared in 50 mg L−1 Fe solution, the problem of Hg overestimation could be minimized. This study also indicated that stannous chloride (SnCl2), another common reductant for Hg analysis, does not suffer from the overestimation problem from soluble Fe in the presence of NaBH4.

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Acknowledgements

The author would like to express thanks to Nalco Australia for providing the analytical laboratory facility for this project; many thanks to Dr. Ning Jin for the discussion about the possible catalyst function of the soluble Fe in the reduction reaction of mercuric ions by NaBHL4; and special thanks to Dr. Zhong-Xian Guo who read and commented on the draft version of this manuscript.

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  1. Research Analytical Service Australia, North Epping, NSW, 2121, Australia

    Chunhai Yu

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  1. Chunhai Yu
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Correspondence to Chunhai Yu.

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Yu, C. Interference from Soluble Iron on Mercury Determination in Water by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry (CV-AAS) with Sodium Borohydride as Reductant. ANAL. SCI. 37, 1181–1184 (2021). https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.20N035

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.2116/analsci.20N035

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