Matrix-Assisted UV-Photochemical Vapor Generation for AFS Determination of Trace Mercury in Natural Water Samples: A Green Analytical Method

ABSTRACT Direct matrix-assisted UV-photochemical/cold vapor generation for sample introduction was proposed for the determination of trace mercury in natural water by atomic fluorescence spectrometry. The optimal experimental conditions for the determination of mercury including sampling volume, UV irradiation time, carrier flow rate, pH, and the interference from coexisting metal ions were investigated in detail. Under the optimized experimental conditions, the limit of detection for total mercury was 0.03 ng mL−1. The accuracy of the proposed method was validated by analyzing two certified reference water samples with satisfactory analytical results. This method is simple, fast, green, highly selective, ultrasensitive, and yet inexpensive.