Simultaneous Determination of Arsenic and Mercury in Water by Fluorophotometry

Objective In acidity condition, arsenic and mercury can react on newly produced H2 to produce hydride which can be detected by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The goal of the present paper is to establish a method to determine arsenic and mercury of the water at one time. Methods A quantitative method for determination by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry was used .The electric current of the arsenic and mercury lamp were all 80 mA. The ratio of main arsenic electric current with the assist one was 50:30. 1% KBH4 of 0.2% NaOH solution were used as the reducers. Results The linear range of the arsenic was 0-10 μg/L with correlation coefficient r=0.999 9. The RSDs and recovery rates of the arsenic were 2.0%-5.3% and 84%-113% respectively. The mercury showed a good linear result in the range of 0-5 μg/L either, and the correlation coefficient was 0.999 3. The RSDs and recovery rates of the method were 1.9%-5.7% and 84%-107% respectively. Conclusion This method is simple, rapid, sensitive and accurate. It can determine arsenic and mercury in water at one time.