Single-laboratory evaluation and modification of US EPA methods 7470 and 7471 for the determination of mercury in aqueous and solid hazardous wastes

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1987 · Environment International; (USA)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/0160-4120(87)90009-2· OSTI ID:5230675

Churchwell, M E; Livingston, R L; Sgontz, D L; Messman, J D ^[1]; Beckert, W F ^[2]

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1. Battelle Columbus Division, OH (USA)
2. Environmental Protection Agency, Las Vegas, NV (USA)

The current US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) protocols for mercury determinations in aqueous and solid waste samples (SW-846 Methods 7470 and 7471) using recirculating cold-vapor atomic absorption spectrometry (CV-AAS) have been evaluated. The US EPA methods are not sufficiently flexible to permit special quality control (QC) measures, have limited detectability for low-level mercury concentrations, and are plagued by spectral interferences caused by the nonspecific absorption of primary mercury radiation by volatile organic vapors. The US EPA protocols have been modified in a single-laboratory study to facilitate additional QC measures, to enhance detectability for low-level mercury concentrations, and to eliminate nonspecific vapor absorption interferences.

• OSTI ID: 5230675
• Journal Information: Environment International; (USA), Journal Name: Environment International; (USA) Vol. 13:6; ISSN 0160-4120; ISSN ENVID
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
540320 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHEMICAL COMPOSITION
ELEMENTS
EVALUATION
HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
LAWS
LIQUID WASTES
MATERIALS
MEASURING METHODS
MERCURY
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RESOURCE RECOVERY ACTS
SOLID WASTES
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WASTES