Field intercomparison studies for evaluation and validation of the AESminiSamplR™ technique for sampling and analysis of total particulate mercury in the atmosphere

This paper presents new data and reviews literature results from six field intercomparison studies to further evaluate and validate the AESminiSamplR™ [Anal. Chem., 70 (1998) 2403] technique for sampling and analysis of total particulate mercury in ambient air. The intercomparison studies were carried out at: two remote sites in the Arctic [Alert, Nunavut, Canada (82°28′N, 62°18′W) and Ny-Ålesund, Svalbard (78°54′N, 11°53′E)], one site in Ann Arbor, MI, and three sites in Europe (one in Italy and two in Sweden). The AESminiSamplR™ was compared with five other methods using different materials, different flow rates, different sample treatment procedures, and/or different detection techniques. Four of the five methods compared were operated by different laboratories. When the compared methods were operated by different laboratories, a difference ⩽4 times was observed. When the compared methods were operated by the same laboratory, a maximum deviation of 1.3 times was achieved. These results demonstrate that the AESminiSamplR™ technique is a reliable, reproducible, simple, fast and cost-effective methodology for sampling and analysis of mercury associated with particulate matter in the atmosphere.