The development of an analytical technique for the determination of traces of mercury be substoichiometric isotope dilution method

Abstract

A procedure has been developed for the quantitative determination of traces of mercury in biological samples. The radiochemical separation method involves the combustion of the samples in an oxygen flask, follow by a sub stoichiometric isotope dilution method utilizing solvent extraction technique. The method was primarily tested using radio tracer experiments and then by analyzing two already certified Standard Reference Materials and a Bowen Standard Kale Sample. The limit of detection is 0.005 ppm. The developed technique is comparatively simple, inexpensive, fast and suitable for routine work.