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Title: Speciation of mercury compounds by differential atomization - atomic absorption spectroscopy

Journal Article · · J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part A; (United States)

This paper describes the dual stage atomization technique which allows speciation of several mercury-containing compounds in aqueous solution and in biological fluids. The technique holds great promise for further speciation studies. Accurate temperature control, expecially at temperatures less than 200/sup 0/C, is needed to separate the extremely volatile mercury halides and simple organomercurials from each other. Studies with mercury salts and EDTA, L-cysteine and dithioxamide demonstrate that this technique may be used to study the extent of complex formation. Investigations of biological fluids indicate that there is a single predominant form of mercury in sweat and a single predominant form of mercury in urine. The mercury compound in urine is more volatile than that in sweat. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are possible with this technique.

Research Organization:
Louisiana State Univ., Baton Rouge, LA
OSTI ID:
5920338
Journal Information:
J. Environ. Sci. Health, Part A; (United States), Vol. A17:3
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English