Determination of mercury in rocks, sediments, and soils by flameless atomic absorption

Technical Report · Thu May 22 04:00:00 EDT 1980

OSTI ID:5440505

White, L E; Carter, Jr, M H

A simple, relatively fast method for the determination of mercury in rocks, sediments, and soils has been developed to meet the needs of the National Uranium Resources Evaluation Project. One gram of the less than 100 mesh material is placed in a 250-mL reagent bottle and is digested using a mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and 30% hydrogen peroxide. To prevent the loss of mercury during the digestion procedure, an 18-inch dry reflux tower is employed. After digestion, the sample is treated with 5% potassium permanganate solution, and a sodium chloride-hydroxylamine sulfate reagent. Tin (11) sulfate is then added and the sample immediately attached to an aeration device. The volatilized mercury is swept into an absorption cell by an argon stream and is measured by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer adjusted to 253.7 nanometer wave-length. Absorption is then plotted by a strip chart recorder.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge Y-12 Plant, TN (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: W-7405-ENG-26
• OSTI ID: 5440505
• Report Number(s): Y/DK-254
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400104* -- Spectral Procedures-- (-1987)
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ELEMENTS
MERCURY
METALS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
ROCKS
SEDIMENTS
SOILS
SPECTROSCOPY