NEMI Method Summary

Method Summary Information

Method Number: I-5462 Media: OTHER
Revision: 1985
Method Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Subcategory: INORGANIC Analytes in this method
Official Name: Mercury, atomic absorption spectrometric, cold vapor, flameless
Descriptive Name Mercury, recoverable-from-bottom-material, CVFAA
Source Info: USGS Branch of Information Services
Box 25286, MS 417
Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225-0286
Phone: 303-202-4700
Citation: USGS Methods, Volume A1
315634 Byte file
Brief Method
Summary:
 The cold-vapor, flameless, atomic absorption procedure is based on the absorption of radiation at 253.7 nm by mercury vapor. Organic mercury compounds, if present, are decomposed by hot (95oC) digestion with potassium permanganate and potassium persulfate in acid solution. The mercuric ions are then reduced to the elemental state with stannous chloride, and the mercury vapor is subsequently removed from solution by aeration and passed through a cell positioned in the light path of an atomic absorption spectrometer. This method is based on a procedure described by Hatch and Ott (1968).
Scope And
Application:
 This method may be used to analyze bottom material containing at least 0.01 ug/g of mercury at least 0.5 ug/L of mercury. Samples containing mercury concentrations greater than 10 ug/L need to be diluted. Industrial and sewage effluent may be analyzed, as well as samples of fresh and saline water. Suspended recoverable mercury is calculated by subtracting dissolved mercury from total recoverable mercury.
Applicable
Conc Range:
 0.5 ug/L to 10 ug/L
Interferences: Some samples may contain volatile organic compounds that absorb radiation at 253.7 nm and that may be swept from the solution along with the mercury vapor. These constitute a positive interference, and the possibility of their presence must not be overlooked.
Selenium concentrations, either as selenate or selenite, up to 10,000 ug/L do not interfere; higher concentrations were not tested.
QC Requirements: Calibrate instrument using calibration standards (CAL). Quality control samples (QCS) and laboratory blanks (LB) analyzed at a minimum of I each after every 10 samples
Sample Handling: Container Description: 500 mL Polypropylene bottle, wide-mouth. Treatment and Preservation: No treatment, preservation or special shipping requirements
Max Holding Time:
 180 days
Sample Prep Met P-0520
Relative Cost: $51 to $200
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