Speciation analysis of mercury in water samples by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry after preconcentration with dithizone immobilized on microcrystalline naphthalene.

Trace amounts of inorganic mercury (Hg(2+)) and methylmercury cations (MeHg(2+)) were adsorbed quantitatively from acidic aqueous solution onto a column packed with immobilized dithizone on microcrystalline naphthalene. The trapped mercury was eluted with 10 ml of 7 mol L(-1) hydrochloric acid solution. The Hg(2+) was then directly reduced with tin (II) chloride, and volatilized mercury was determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CVAAS). Total mercury (Hgt) was determined after decomposition of MeHg(+) into Hg(2+). Hg(2+) and MeHg(+) cations were completely recovered from the water with a preconcentration factor of 200. The relative standard deviation obtained for eight replicate determinations at a concentration of 0.3 microg L(-1 )was 1.8%. The procedure was applied to analysis of water samples, and the accuracy was assessed via recovery experiment.