Solid-phase microextraction combined with electrochemistry

Abstract

Solid-phase microextraction combined with electrochemistry (SPME/EC) for trace level mercury determination is reported. An SPME/EC fibre was made of a carbon steel wire with a 10 µm gold coating. Mercury(II) ions were electrochemically extracted from aqueous solution, and desorbed with a dedicated desorption system, then detected by ion-trap GC–MS. Mercury(II) ions in aqueous solution, and mercury vapour in gas, were detected. Inorganic mercury and organomercury compounds were differentiated.