Design and characterisation of a vapour generation system for determination of mercury by atomic absorption spectrometry

Abstract

A simple cold vapour generator is described that addresses problems with sample foaming, signal drift and memory effects associated with the wetting of gas–liquid separator membranes. The device is operated in continuous flow mode attached to an atomic absorption spectrometer. Method validation was carried out using BCR 186 Porcine Kidney reference material, with recovery averaging 97% with an estimated 3 s detection limit of 0.38 ppb Hg.