Optimization of a pre-concentration method for the analysis of mercury isotopes in low-concentration foliar samples.

ABSTRACT: Hg isotope analysis in samples from background regions is constrained by the presence of low Hg concentration and therefore requires a pre-concentration method. Existing Hg pre-concentration methods are constrained by long sample processing time and limited sample loading capacity. Using foliar samples as a test case, an optimized Hg pre-concentration method is presented that involves the microwave-assisted digestion of samples for Hg isotope analysis with the addition of a pre-digestion step. Microwave-digested foliar samples and CRMs were transferred to an impinger, reduced with SnCl₂, and collected in a 2.25 mL concentrated inverse aqua regia (3:1 HNO₃:HCl, v/v). This resulted in an optimal acid concentration in the solution ideal for analysis on MC-ICP-MS. The tim

SUBMITTER: Ali SW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10850019 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature