Abstract
A simple, universal method to quantify soil methylmercury (MeHg) is not available. Here, we developed a solid-phase extraction-based method using gas chromatography mass spectrometry. MeHg was purified from the soil matrix using an optimized solid-phase extraction method, which reduced the use of organic solvents and eliminated the requirement for harmful reagents. The sample limit of quantification was 7.5 ng/g. MeHg recovery in the reference samples was 96.2%–102.6%; the intra- and inter-assay coefficients of variation were 3.4%–7.1% and 4.3%–7.1%, respectively, indicating high validation performance. This analysis method is simple as it can be performed using general-purpose reagents and instruments; has a high degree of trueness and accuracy; could be useful for soil MeHg quantification with improved sensitivity; and can provide reliable data to prevent MeHg contamination and improve food safety.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Dr. Toshiaki Yoshida (Osaka Institute of Public Health), Dr. Tetsuo Yamano (Osaka Institute of Public Health), and Dr. Shuntaro Yamazaki (Waters Corporation) for providing valuable advice and technical support.
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This work was supported by the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science KAKENHI (Grant No. 19K10592).
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Conceptualization: SK, MY; Resources: SK; Methodology: SK, MY; Formal analysis: SK; Validation: SK, MY, KK; Investigation: SK; Writing–original draft: SK; Writing–review and editing: MY, KK; Funding acquisition: SK.
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Kakimoto, S., Yoshimitsu, M. & Kiyota, K. Development of a Solid Phase Extraction-Based Method for the Quantitative Analysis of Methylmercury in Soil and Sediment. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 109, 332–337 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-022-03547-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-022-03547-x