Determination of trace mercury in water samples by cloud point exaction-hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry

Objective To establish a method for determination of trace mercury in water samples by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry and cloud point extraction with dithizone. Methods Dithizone-mercury chelate was extracted from water samples by cloud point extraction using nonionic surfactant Triton X-114,then mercury in water samples was determined by hydride generation-atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The optimal extraction and reaction conditions( e. g.,pH,reagent concentration) were studied. Results Under the optimized condition,the detection limit( 3s / k) of mercury was 0. 015 g / L, the relative standard deviation( RSD) for six determinations was 1. 3%. The mercury contents in tap water samples and river water samples were determined respectively,and the recoveries were 96% ~ 109% and 91% ~ 97%,respectively. Conclusion The proposed method was successfully applied to determination of trace mercury in water samples.