Ultrasonic sample decomposition for the rapid determination of mercury andother heavy metals

A simple and convenient procedure for the acid decomposition of soils and b iological materials under ultrasonic treatment was developed for determinin g mercury, lead, and other heavy metals in one solution. The procedure can be used in routine analyses. The complete recovery of Hg, Ph, Cu, and Zn fr om soil, plant, lignin, and medicinal mud is achieved using a mixture of co ne. HNO3 and HCl (3 : 1) under ultrasonic treatment (ultrasound frequency o f 18 kHz) for 2 min. The best conditions for the ultrasonic decomposition o f fish tissue were selected. The developed procedure was used for the rapid determination of mercury in fish tissue samples from Kureiskoe and Bratsko e water reservoirs using a Yuliya-2 mercury analyzer. The results of certif ication analysis of mercury in standard fish tissue samples from Lake Baika l are presented.