Analysis of mercury containing samples
AssigneeThe Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois
InventorsChristopher W. Shade, Robert J.M. Hudson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Methods of analyzing mercury containing samples for inorganic and organomercurial complexes are disclosed. The methods are highly sensitive and are especially suited to samples containing significant amounts of organic matter. Kits and devices for mercury analysis are also disclosed.
Claims64
A method, for mercury analysis, comprising:
- reducing the pH of a sample comprising mercury and matrix interferents to a pH≦2.5,
- adsorbing said mercury from said sample onto one or more resins at said pH≦2.5,
- separating said mercury into inorganic and R—Hg+ species, and
- quantifying said inorganic and said R—Hg+ species.
A method, for mercury analysis, comprising:
- separating Hg2+ and R—Hg+ species on a resin with an eluent that comprises water, protons, a bifunctional moiety, and competing cations;
- and
- quantifying said Hg2+ and R—Hg+ species.
A method, for mercury analysis, comprising:
- acidifying a sample comprising Hg2+ and R—Hg+ species to a pH≦2.5,
- then adsorbing said Hg2+ and R—Hg+ species from said sample at said pH≦2.5 onto a resin, wherein said resin is modified with an adsorption ligand selected from the group consisting of a bifunctional moiety and a thiocarbamate, or mixtures thereof,
- quantifying said Hg2+ and R—Hg+ species.
A method, for mercury analysis, comprising:
- oxidizing R—Hg+ species to Hg2+ species,
- adding ascorbic acid,
- reducing said Hg2+ species to Hgo species, and
- quantifying said Hgo species.
A kit, for mercury analysis, comprising:
- a preconcentration column comprising a resin modified with a bifunctional moiety.
A kit, for mercury analysis, comprising:
- a column comprising a cation exchange resin;
- a bifunctional moiety;
- and
- enough acid to lower the pH of a sample comprising mercury and matrix interferents to a pH≦2.5.
A device, for mercury analysis, comprising:
- a cation exchange resin, wherein said cation exchange resin can separate Hg2+ and R—Hg+ species in the presence of an aqueous eluent comprising:
- a bifunctional moiety,
- protons, and
- competing cations.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.