Loss of Mercury from Water During Storage.
Abstract
Rate of loss of mercury from dilute solutions stored in polyethylene containers was studied. Storage conditions and time intervals were similar to those encountered during the normal collection and shipment of water samples to a testing laboratory. Analyses were performed by acid digestion - stannous chloride reduction followed by mercury-vapor atomic absorption measurement. Results indicated losses up to 100 percent in known added concentrations of mercury; losses were observed from both glass-distilled water and from locally-procured creek water samples. Addition of an acid preservative to a water sample after its collection did not appreciably reduce the loss of mercury as compared to an unpreserved sample. Of the acids studied only nitric acid to a final pH of 1 showed any substantial ability to maintain the mercury concentration. (Author Modified Abstract)
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 1971
- Accession Number
- AD0757861
Entities
People
- James A. Collins
- Robert V. Coyne