Determination of mercury in potable water by ICP-MS using gold as a stabilising agent

• Published in: Journal of analytical atomic spectrometry 1999, Vol.14 (2), p.235-239
• Main Authors: ALLIBONE, J, FATEMIAN, E, WALKER, P. J
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Chemistry; Drinking water and swimming-pool water. Desalination; Exact sciences and technology; Pollution; Spectrometric and optical methods; Water treatment and pollution
• ISSN: 0267-9477; 1364-5544
• DOI: 10.1039/a806193i

An inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric method for the routine determination of mercury in potable water is described. The method involved the addition of gold to the samples, standards and rinse solutions to amalgamate the mercury, preventing it from being lost onto the materials of the ICP-MS sample introduction system. Gold was added off-line to the samples and standard solutions. The method was validated using the protocol described in document NS30 (published by WRc plc), which was the standard specified by the Drinking Water Inspectorate in England and Wales. The limit of detection was 0.032 ug per litre and the recovery at the prescribed concentration or value (1 ug per litre) was 99.05 per cent. The bias (systematic error) and within- and between-batch standard deviations were acceptable. The addition of gold to samples and standards preserved mercury in solution for at least 3 weeks. The method permitted mercury to be co-determined with normal low-level metals in potable water without using extended wash-out times.