Determination of mercurial species in fish by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry with anion exchange chromatographic separation

• Four mercurial forms were separated via a 12.5-mm strong anion exchange column by complexing with 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate into negatively charged complexes.
• The fastest analysis of mercury speciation in 5.0 min was obtained so far.
• The most environment-friendly mobile phase (1.0 mM sodium 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate at pH 7.0) was employed.
• Mercurial species in fish was determined by the proposed AEC–ICP-MS method.

This work demonstrated the feasibility of mercury speciation analysis by anion exchange chromatographic separation with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry detection. For the first time, by complexing with the mobile phase containing 3-mercapto-1-propanesulfonate into negatively charged complexes, fast separation of inorganic mercury (Hg2+), monomethylmercury (MeHg), ethylmercury (EtHg) and phenylmercury (PhHg) was achieved within 5 min on a 12.5-mm strong anion exchange column. The detection limits for Hg2+, MeHg, EtHg and PhHg were 0.008, 0.024, 0.029 and 0.034 μg L−1, respectively. The relative standard deviations of peak height and peak area (5.0 μg L−1 for each Hg species) were all below 3%. The determined contents of Hg2+, MeHg and total Hg in a certified reference material of fish tissue by the proposed method were in good accordance with the certified values with satisfactory recoveries. The relative errors for determining MeHg and total mercury were −2.4% and −1.2%, respectively, with an acceptable range for spike recoveries of 94–101%. Mercury speciation in 11 fish samples were then analyzed after the pretreated procedure. The mercury contents in all fish samples analyzed were found compliant with the criteria of the National Standards of China.

Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide