Determination of Mercury and Methylmercury in Aqueous Samples by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometry after Pre-Concentration with Bis (2-Mercaptobenzothlazole) Immobilized on Microcrystalline Naphthalene

Authors

Department of Chemistry,Isfahan University of Technology

Abstract

A method based on cold vapor atomic absorption spectrometry was used for the determination
of trace mercury (Hg+2) and methylmercury (MeHg+) in aqueous samples. The mercury in the
sample was concentrated in a column packed with bis (2-mercaptobenzothiazole), immobilized
on microcrystalline naphthalene. The method was optimized for di erent parameters a ecting
the pre-concentration process, in order to obtain better sensitivity. The recovery test showed
that the method is quite reliable for use in the determination of trace amounts of mercury in
aqueous samples. The method was applied to the speciation of mercury in river water and in
the euents of wastewater treatment plants.