Mercury speciation in biological samples

M. Aceto, A. M. Foglizzo, E. Mentasti, G. Sacchero, C. Sarzanini

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

An extraction method is proposed in order to evaluate mercury species in biological samples (e.g. fish, mushrooms). Sulphur-containing ligands have been considered and thiourea was chosen for the optimised extraction procedure according to the best recovery obtained (65.9%, 75.8%, 47.1% and 98.2% for CH3Hg+, C2H5Hg+, CAH5Hg+and Hg2+respectively) and the chromatographic performance. Thiourea solutions added to biological samples enabled extraction of organomercury species; the influence of reaction time and recovery yields were evaluated. The proposed procedure, coupled with an on-line preconcentration step, allows to reduce contamination problems and to obtain detection limits at ng/g levels. The method has been evaluate with reference materials (BCR).

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1-13
Number of pages13
JournalInternational Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Volume60
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 May 1995
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • HPLC-CV-AAS
  • Mercury speciation
  • extraction procedure
  • organomercury

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