Determination of Mercury in Traditional Chinese Medicines by Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry

A method of atomic fluorescence spectrometry(AFS) for the determination of mercury was established.The experimental conditions that influence the atomic fluorescence signal intensity were investigated and optimized,as well as the influence from foreign ions and the elimination were studied.Thiourea-citric acid-ferrite ion was selected as enhancement reagent,which greatly enhanced atomic fluorescence signal intensity of mercury.The detection limit and relative standard deviation(RSD) were 5.748μg/L and 1.56%,respectively.The method was applied to determine mercury in six kinds of traditional Chinese medicines produced by different manufactures with a recovery range of 90.4%-109.6%.