Determination of mercury in lake sediments using a gold film mercury analyser

Abstract

A gold film mercury analyser was used for the determination of mercury in lake sediments. Sediment and soil standards and sediment samples were extracted with a mixture of nitric and hydrochloric acids. Aliquots of the extracts containing between 30 and 50 ng of mercury were used for the determination with the gold film analyser. An absolute deviation of approximately 0.05 µg g^–1 and an accuracy of ±0.02 µg g^–1 can be considered typical for the investigated method. The results of the determination of mercury in the sediment standard by the gold film analyser were compatible with the recommended value.