3112 METALS BY COLD-VAPOR ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY*

3112 A. Introduction

For general introductory material on atomic absorption spectrometric methods, see Section 3111A.

3112 B. Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Method

1. General Discussion

This method is applicable to the determination of mercury.

2. Apparatus

When possible, dedicate glassware for use in Hg analysis.

Avoid using glassware previously exposed to high levels of Hg,

such as those used in COD, TKN, or Cl analysis.

a. Atomic absorption spectrometer and associated equipment:

See Section 3111A.6. Instruments and accessories specifically

designed for measuring mercury via the cold vapor technique are

available commercially and may be substituted.

b. Absorption cell, a glass or plastic tube approximately 2.5 cm in

diameter. An 11.4-cm-long tube has been found satisfactory, but a

15-cm-long tube is preferred. Grind tube ends perpendicular to the

longitudinal axis, and cement quartz windows in place. Attach gas

inlet and outlet ports (6.4 mm diam) 1.3 cm from each end.

c. Cell support: Strap cell to the flat nitrous-oxide burner head

or other suitable support and align in light beam to give maximum transmittance.

d. Air pumps: Use any peristaltic pump with electronic speed

control capable of delivering an air flow of 2 L/min. Any other

regulated compressed air system or air cylinder also is satisfactory.

e. Flowmeter, capable of measuring an air flow of 2 L/min.

f. Aeration tubing, a straight glass frit having a coarse porosity

for use in reaction flask.

g. Reaction flask, 250-mL erlenmeyer flask or a BOD bottle,

fitted with a rubber stopper to hold aeration tube.

h. Drying tube, 150-mm 18-mm-diam, containing 20 g Mg

(ClO4)2. A 60-W light bulb with a suitable shade may be substituted to prevent condensation of moisture inside the absorption cell. Position bulb to maintain cell temperature at 10°C

above ambient.

i. Connecting tubing, glass tubing to pass mercury vapor from

reaction flask to absorption cell and to interconnect all other components. Clear vinyl plastic* tubing may be substituted for glass.

3. Reagents†

a. Metal-free water: See 3111B.3c.

b. Stock mercury solution: Dissolve 0.1354 g mercuric chloride, HgCl2, in about 70 mL water, add 1 mL conc HNO3, and

dilute to 100 mL with water; 1.00 mL  1.00 mg Hg.

c. Standard mercury solutions: Prepare a series of standard

mercury solutions containing 0 to 5 g/L by appropriate dilution

of stock mercury solution with water containing 10 mL conc

HNO3/L. Prepare standards daily.

d. Nitric acid, HNO3, conc.

e. Potassium permanganate solution: Dissolve 50 g KMnO4 in

water and dilute to 1 L.

f. Potassium persulfate solution: Dissolve 50 g K2S2O8 in

water and dilute to 1 L.

g. Sodium chloride-hydroxylamine sulfate solution: Dissolve

120 g NaCl and 120 g (NH2OH)2  H2SO4 in water and dilute to

1 L. A 10% hydroxylamine hydrochloride solution may be

substituted for the hydroxylamine sulfate.

h. Stannous ion (Sn2) solution: Use either stannous chloride,

¶ 1), or stannous sulfate, ¶ 2), to prepare this solution containing

about 7.0 g Sn2/100 mL.

1) Dissolve 10 g SnCl2 in water containing 20 mL conc HCl

and dilute to 100 mL.

2) Dissolve 11 g SnSO4 in water containing 7 mL conc H2SO4

and dilute to 100 mL.

Both solutions decompose with aging. If a suspension forms,

stir reagent continuously during use. Reagent volume is sufficient to process about 20 samples; adjust volumes prepared to

accommodate number of samples processed.

i. Sulfuric acid, H2SO4, conc.

4. Procedure

a. Instrument operation: See Section 3111B.4b. Set wavelength

to 253.7 nm. Install absorption cell and align in light path to give

maximum transmission. Connect associated equipment to absorption cell with glass or vinyl plastic tubing, as indicated in Figure

3112:1. Turn on air and adjust flow rate to 2 L/min. Allow air to

flow continuously. Alternatively, follow manufacturer’s directions

for operation. NOTE: Fluorescent lighting may increase baseline

noise.

* Approved by Standard Methods Committee, 2009.

* Tygon or equivalent. † Use specially prepared reagents low in mercury.

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b. Standardization: Transfer 100 mL each of the 1.0, 2.0, and

5.0 g/L Hg standard solutions and a blank of 100 mL water to

250-mL erlenmeyer reaction flasks. Add 5 mL conc H2SO4 and

2.5 mL conc HNO3 to each flask. Add 15 mL KMnO4 solution

to each flask and let stand at least 15 min. Add 8 mL K2S2O8

solution to each flask and heat for 2 h in a water bath at 90 to

95°C. Cool to room temperature.

Treating each flask individually, add enough NaCl-hydroxylamine solution to reduce excess KMnO4, then add 5 mL SnCl2

or SnSO4 solution and immediately attach flask to aeration

apparatus. As Hg is volatilized and carried into the absorption

cell, absorbance will increase to a maximum within a few seconds. As soon as recorder returns approximately to the baseline,

remove stopper holding the frit from reaction flask, and replace

with a flask containing water. Flush system for a few seconds,

and run the next standard in the same manner. Construct a

standard curve by plotting peak height versus micrograms Hg.

c. Analysis of samples: Transfer 100 mL sample or portion

diluted to 100 mL containing not more than 5.0 g Hg/L to a

reaction flask. Treat as in ¶ 4b. Seawaters, brines, and effluents

high in chlorides require as much as another 25 mL KMnO4

solution. During oxidation step, chlorides are converted to free

chlorine, which absorbs at 253 nm. Remove all free chlorine

before the Hg is reduced and swept into the cell by using an

excess (25 mL) of hydroxylamine reagent.

Remove free chlorine by sparging sample gently with air or

nitrogen after adding hydroxylamine reducing solution. Use a

separate tube and frit to avoid carryover of residual stannous

chloride, which could cause reduction and loss of mercury.

5. Calculation

Determine peak height of sample from recorder chart and read

mercury value from standard curve prepared according to ¶ 4b.

6. Precision and Bias

Data on interlaboratory precision and bias for this method are

given in Table 3112:I.

7. Reference

1. KOPP, J.F., M.C. LONGBOTTOM & L.B. LOBRING. 1972. “Cold vapor”

method for determining mercury. J. Amer. Water Works Assoc.

64:20.

8. Bibliography

HATCH, W.R. & W.L. OTT. 1968. Determination of submicrogram quantities of mercury by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Anal.

Chem. 40:2085.

UTHE, J.F., F.A.J. ARMSTRONG & M.P. STAINTON. 1970. Mercury determination in fish samples by wet digestion and flameless atomic

absorption spectrophotometry. J. Fish. Res. Board Can. 27:805.

FELDMAN, C. 1974. Preservation of dilute mercury solutions. Anal.

Chem. 46:99.

BOTHNER, M.H. & D.E. ROBERTSON. 1975. Mercury contamination of sea

water samples stored in polyethylene containers. Anal. Chem. 47:

592.

HAWLEY, J.E. & J.D. INGLE, JR. 1975. Improvements in cold vapor atomic

absorption determination of mercury. Anal. Chem. 47:719.

LO, J.M. & C.M. WAL. 1975. Mercury loss from water during storage:

Mechanisms and prevention. Anal. Chem. 47:1869.

EL-AWADY, A.A., R.B. MILLER & M.J. CARTER. 1976. Automated method

for the determination of total and inorganic mercury in water and

wastewater samples. Anal. Chem. 48:110.

ODA, C.E. & J.D. INGLE, JR. 1981. Speciation of mercury by cold vapor

atomic absorption spectrometry with selective reduction. Anal.

Chem. 53:2305.

SUDDENDORF, R.F. 1981. Interference by selenium or tellurium in the

determination of mercury by cold vapor generation atomic absorption spectrometry. Anal. Chem. 53:2234.

HEIDEN, R.W. & D.A. AIKENS. 1983. Humic acid as a preservative for

trace mercury (II) solutions stored in polyolefin containers. Anal.

Chem. 55:2327.

CHOU, H.N. & C.A. NALEWAY. 1984. Determination of mercury by cold

vapor atomic absorption spectrometry. Anal. Chem. 56:1737.

Figure 3112:1. Schematic arrangement of equipment for measuring

mercury by cold-vapor atomic absorption technique.

TABLE 3112:I. INTERLABORATORY PRECISION AND BIAS OF COLD-VAPOR

ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRIC METHOD FOR MERCURY1

Form

Conc.

g/L

SD

g/L

Relative

SD

%

Relative

Error

%

No. of

Participants

Inorganic 0.34 0.077 22.6 21.0 23

Inorganic 4.2 0.56 13.3 14.4 21

Organic 4.2 0.36 8.6 8.4 21

METALS BY COLD-VAPOR ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROMETRY (3112)/Cold-Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Method

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