ERIC Number: EJ1102719
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2015-Apr
Pages: 5
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0021-9584
EISSN: N/A
A Simplified Digestion Protocol for the Analysis of Hg in Fish by Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
Kristian, Kathleen E.; Friedbauer, Scott; Kabashi, Donika; Ferencz, Kristen M.; Barajas, Jennifer C.; O'Brien, Kelly
Journal of Chemical Education, v92 n4 p698-702 Apr 2015
Analysis of mercury in fish is an interesting problem with the potential to motivate students in chemistry laboratory courses. The recommended method for mercury analysis in fish is cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy (CVAAS), which requires homogeneous analyte solutions, typically prepared by acid digestion. Previously published digestion protocols require multiple acids, long heating periods or harsh conditions, and reducing agents for workup. We developed a simplified protocol for the digestion of fish that requires only nitric acid and a short heating period. This protocol was successfully implemented in an instrumental analysis lab and enabled students to perform CVAAS on commercial fish samples within the time constraints of an undergraduate lab course.
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Chemistry, Science Laboratories, Spectroscopy, Animals, Undergraduate Study, College Science, Laboratory Experiments, Science Experiments
Division of Chemical Education, Inc and ACS Publications Division of the American Chemical Society. 1155 Sixteenth Street NW, Washington, DC 20036. Tel: 800-227-5558; Tel: 202-872-4600; e-mail: eic@jce.acs.org; Web site: http://pubs.acs.org/jchemeduc
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A