Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry

, Volume 388, Issue 4, pp 837–847 | Cite as

Determination of total mercury and methylmercury in biological samples by photochemical vapor generation

  • Mariana A. Vieira
  • Anderson S. Ribeiro
  • Adilson J. Curtius
  • Ralph E. Sturgeon
Original Paper
First Online:
Received:
Revised:
Accepted:

Abstract

Cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) based on photochemical reduction by exposure to UV radiation is described for the determination of methylmercury and total mercury in biological samples. Two approaches were investigated: (a) tissues were digested in either formic acid or tetramethylammonium hydroxide (TMAH), and total mercury was determined following reduction of both species by exposure of the solution to UV irradiation; (b) tissues were solubilized in TMAH, diluted to a final concentration of 0.125% m/v TMAH by addition of 10% v/v acetic acid and CH3Hg+ was selectively quantitated, or the initial digests were diluted to 0.125% m/v TMAH by addition of deionized water, adjusted to pH 0.3 by addition of HCl and CH3Hg+ was selectively quantitated. For each case, the optimum conditions for photochemical vapor generation (photo-CVG) were investigated. The photochemical reduction efficiency was estimated to be ∼95% by comparing the response with traditional SnCl2 chemical reduction. The method was validated by analysis of several biological Certified Reference Materials, DORM-1, DORM-2, DOLT-2 and DOLT-3, using calibration against aqueous solutions of Hg2+; results showed good agreement with the certified values for total and methylmercury in all cases. Limits of detection of 6 ng/g for total mercury using formic acid, 8 ng/g for total mercury and 10 ng/g for methylmercury using TMAH were obtained. The proposed methodology is sensitive, simple and inexpensive, and promotes “green” chemistry. The potential for application to other sample types and analytes is evident.

Keywords

Mercury Methylmercury Speciation Photochemical reduction Vapor generation Formic acid Tetramethylammonium hydroxide 
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Notes

Acknowledgement

M. A. Vieira and A.J. Curtius are grateful to the Conselho Nacional de Pesquisas e Desenvolvimento Tecnológico (CNPq) for a research scholarship.

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Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag 2007

Authors and Affiliations

  • Mariana A. Vieira
    • 1
  • Anderson S. Ribeiro
    • 1
  • Adilson J. Curtius
    • 1
  • Ralph E. Sturgeon
    • 2
  1. 1.Departamento de QuímicaUniversidade Federal de Santa CatarinaFlorianópolisBrazil
  2. 2.Institute for National Measurement StandardsNational Research Council CanadaOttawaCanada

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