At Brooks Rand, we firmly believe that obtaining the highest quality data is essential, but we also recognize the necessity of operational efficiency. Our decades of trace-level mercury analysis experience have enabled us to develop a system that achieves both of these critical goals.
Reduced contamination – The biggest challenge to performing quality ultra-low-level mercury analysis is avoiding contamination. MERX greatly reduces sample contamination in two key areas:
Sample Preparation
Samples are prepared by standard total mercury methodology (U.S. EPA Method 1631) to oxidize all mercury to Hg(II).
Vial Loading
Prepared samples are added to 40 mL vials with Teflon® lined septa caps. Samples are pre-reduced with the addition of hydroxylamine hydrochloride, and then reduced with stannous chloride, capped, and loaded into the autosampler.
Software Setup
Sample information is entered into Mercury Guru™ software, settings are selected, and then sample analysis begins. MERX does the rest!
Purging
Samples are purged directly in the autosampler vials using N2 gas to volatilize elemental mercury to the gold amalgamation traps.
Multi-Trap Processing
The first collection trap is ballistically heated to release and transfer the mercury to the analytical trap, which is in turn heated to release the mercury to the detector. Simultaneously, the second vial is purged onto the other collection trap to provide near continuous sample purging for rapid throughput.
CVAFS Detection
Mercury is detected using the Brooks Rand Model III cold vapor atomic fluorescence spectrophotometer (CVAFS), with patented optics for enhanced sensitivity.
Data Processing
Mercury Guru™ software integrates the detector signal and calculates results based on calibration and sample volume information. QC results are automatically flagged based on user-defined criteria.
