Differentiation of Mercury and Methylmercury by Direct In-situ Derivatization and Supercritical Fluid Extraction

Abstract

A novel method of in-situ conversion of inorganic mercury to organic mercury combined with the supercritical fluid extraction of the organic mercury by supercritical carbon dioxide is proposed. The removal of inorganic mercury and/or organic mercury from cellulose matrix was accomplished with very good efficiency. An analytical procedure including this or a similar method can be the base-point for the further mercury speciation in solid samples.