Solid sampling-electrothermal vaporization-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry for the direct determination of Hg in different materials using isotope dilution with a gaseous phase for calibration

The method finally proposed presents interesting features for the direct determination of this challenging element in solid samples, such as: a low sample consumption (a few milligrams), a high sample throughput (10 min/sample), a low limit of detection (6 ng g−1) and a reduced risk of analyte losses or contamination. Precision values depend on the homogeneity of the sample studied, and are typically in the vicinity of 10% RSD, except for the more inhomogenous river sediment (18% RSD).