Development of an on-line preconcentration HPLC-ICP-MS method for the Determination of Mercury Species at ultra trace levels.

A method based on the coupling of HPLC with ICP-MS with an on-line preconcentration micro-column has been developed for the analysis of inorganic and methyl mercury in the dissolved phase of natural waters. This method allows the rapid preconcentration and matrix removal of interferences in complex matrices such as seawater with minimal sampling handling. Detection limits of 0.5 ng L-1 for inorganic mercury and 0.1 ng L-1 for methyl mercury have been achieved allowing the determination of inorganic mercury in filtered seawater from the Venice lagoon. Good accuracy and reproducibility was demonstrated by the repeat analysis of the certified reference material BCR-579 coastal seawater.