I found out that the best way for digesting samples for Hg analysis is a closed microwave digestion with HNO3 and some HCl. No Hg will be lost. What if i am doing a multi element analysis?

Total mercury analysis in water does not provide enough information about the quality of the water as regards this element. The studies of mercury may involve the analysis of bivalve species, which accumulate metals, sediment and water. These may provide an estimation of the level of pollution in a water system. There are many articles reporting validated methods for the analysis of the mercury species in aquatic systems.

Thanks @ Sousa

You'd better study the" Handbook of Elemental Speciation II – Species in the Environment, Food, Medicine and Occupational Health". This book gives you sufficient information about this issue.

Thank you @ Hashemi

Hello there,

For mercury analysis , digestion must be done below 90oC due to loss of mercury at higher temperatures. Unfortunately this is a partial digestion procedure and microwave may be used, but you need to control the temperature effectively. Another is an ultrasonic method, which is fast and effective. Analysis of mercury is done by vapour generation. I hope this helps

Thank you Aly, can you please give more details regarding ultrasonic method;

Hello Jeremiah,

The simple ultrasonic equipment is an ultrasonic bath which you can dial the temperature as required. The sample is inserted in a closed container into the bath set at a required temperature. The instrument is turned on so that ultrsonic waves hit the sample. The digestion is completed literally in a few minutes. Research has shown that for plant samples, larger times destroy the cell structure of the sample. So there is a balancing act that you have to do to get the desired result. Other ultrasonic systems have other advanced features, which you may or may not use. I hope this helps.