MICROCOLUMN FIELD SAMPLING AND FLOW INJECTION-ATOMIC FLUORESCENCE SPECTROMETRY FOR SPECIATION OF MERCURY IN SURFACE-WATER

A novel approach to mercury speciation in waters based on microcolumn field sampling and flow injection-atomic fluorescence spectrometry is described. Microcolumns of sulphydryl cotton are used as a new samplin g tool in order to collect, enrich and immobilise organic mercury spec ies. On return to the laboratory the microcolumns are inserted into th e flow injection system for elution/quantitative analysis. The techniq ue, applied to survey analysis of the Manchester Ship Canal, revealed relatively high concentrations of organomercury (0.006-0.058 mu g Hg l (-1)) and inorganic mercury (0.0038-0.530 mu g Hg l(-1)). The distribu tion profiles for the inorganic and organic fractions did not correlat e well.