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Determination of methylmercury in biological samples by semiautomated headspace analysis
Decadt, G.; Baeyens, W.F.J.; Bradley, D.; Goeyens, L. (1985). Determination of methylmercury in biological samples by semiautomated headspace analysis. Anal. Chem. 57: 2788-2791
In: Analytical chemistry. American Chemical Society: Washington. ISSN 0003-2700; e-ISSN 1520-6882, more
Peer reviewed article  

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Keywords
    Analysis > Chemical analysis
    Analytical techniques
    Chemical compounds > Mercury compounds
    Marine/Coastal

Authors  Top 
  • Decadt, G.
  • Baeyens, W.F.J., more
  • Bradley, D.
  • Goeyens, L., more

Abstract
    Gas-liquid distribution coefficients of methylmercury halides dissolved in water or benzene have been assessed by using a headspace injection system coupled to a gas chromatograph-microwave-induced plasma system. Vapor concentrations decreased in the following order: CH3HgI > CH3HgBr > CH3HgCl. To transform all methylmercury iodide, iodoacetic acid (IAc) is used as the liberating agent. Methylmercury iodide degradation is prevented by the addition of sodium thiosulfate (0.05 M). The results obtained with internal standard addition are not influenced by other volatile compounds including other mercury compounds. The method has been applied to a series of biological samples. The detection limit of methylmercury in biological samples is 1.5 ng/mL of homogenate.Contrary to direct on-column injection, no column performance degradation was observed when using a headspace sampler after more than 50 analyses.

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