Determination of Mercury(II) in Drinking Water by Total Reflection X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry and Liquid–Liquid Microextraction

The total reflection X-ray fluorescence determination of mercury(II) in drinking water at concentrations of 7x10(-2) to 3.0 mu g/L is reported. The mercury(II) preconcentration protocol includes directly suspended droplet microextraction with benzene as a molecular iodine complex. The proposed approach is highly selective. The elements Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Zn, and Pb at concentrations up to 0.1g/L did not interfere with the extraction of trace mercury(II). The method is characterized by high sensitivity (limit of detection of 21ng/L) and suitable reproducibility (relative standard deviation of 0.12 for 100ng/L). The accuracy of the results was confirmed by recovery and the method of standard addition.