Solid phase extraction of mercury from seawater using sulfur powder chemically modified with N-(2-chlorobenzoyl)-N’-phenylthiocarbamide and analysis by atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Abstract

A simple method has been tested and validated for the preconcentration of mercury from seawater base on sulfur chemically modified with N-(2-chloro benzoyl)-N'-phenylthiocarbamide. This technique offers an advantage of avoiding matrix effect from the saline content in water sample during analysis. Various conditions such as pH solution, ligand quantity, eluent type, flow rate, sample volume and sorption capacity have been studied in detail. The calibration graph was linear in the range 0-20 ng L-1 of mercury with the detection limit of 3.18 ng L-1. The relative standard deviation was found to be 1.024%. The procedure was validated by analysis of certified reference material, Double deionized water and synthetic seawater.