Continuous flow electrolytic cold vapor generation atomic fluorescence spectrometric determination of Hg in water samples

The determination of trace concentrations of Hg in water samples by the use of electrolytic cold vapor generation (ECVG) system and AFS was studied. Several buffer solutions were used and the detection limits with these systems were found to be by a factor of 1–2 lower than in the conventional electrolytic cold vapor generation system. Comparing with the traditional inorganic acid, phosphate buffer solution (PBS) increased the signal intensity of Hg vapor from electrolytic generation on Pt cathode and reduced the impact of cathode erosion on the stability of signal intensity. Moreover, buffer solution has better interference tolerance. The effects of the electrolytic conditions and interference ions on the ECVG have been studied. Under optimized conditions and with PBS as catholyte the detection limit for Hg was found to be 0.27 ng L−1. The relative standard deviation was 2.8% for 11 consecutive measurements of 1 μg L−1 Hg. This method has been applied in the determination of inorganic Hg in Yangtze River water.