The following is a survey of some of the analytical methods used to analyze environmental samples for mercury. These methods are based on the mercury atom having a strong absorption peak at 253.7 nm. In the newer methods (e.g. Methods 1630 and 1631), atomic absorption has been replaced with atomic fluorescence detection, which allows for the measurement of mercury at very low levels.

Method 1630 is for determination of methyl mercury (CH3Hg) in filtered and unfiltered water by distillation, aqueous ethylation, purge and trap, desorption, and cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrometry (CVAFS).

Method 1631 allows determination of mercury at a minimum level (ML) of 0.5 ng/L (parts-per-trillion; ppt), approximately 400 times lower than the level achieved by other mercury methods previously approved at 40 CFR Part 136.

Method 245.1 describes the instrumental analytical procedures for mercury by cold vapor atomic absorption (CVAA).

Method 7470 A is a cold-vapor atomic absorption procedure approved for determining the concentration of mercury in mobility-procedure extracts, aqueous wastes, and ground waters.

Method 7471 A is approved for measuring total mercury (organic and inorganic) in soils, sediments, bottom deposits, and sludge-type materials.

Method 7473 is designated for the determination of mercury in solids, aqueous samples, and digested solutions in both the laboratory and field environments.


NIDBR analytical chemist determining mercury levels in wastewater samples collected from dental clinics.
Online courses are available that cover the topics of the management of mercury in dental-unit wastewater and solid waste disposal issues and dental amalgam.
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