ULTRA-MICRO DETERMINATION OF ALKYLMERCURY COMPOUNDS BY GASCHROMATOGRAPHY

Abstract

A valuable achievement for the determination of alkylmercury compounds by gaschromatography was reported by Brodersen in 1961 though the method at that time was not effective enough for the complete separation at a microquantity of sample materials. Kitamura (1966) et al. developed the method employing electron capture detector. The column used was made of stainless steel tubing 3 mm×187 cm packed with Shimalite (30-60 mesh) coated with 25% diethylenglycol succinate (DEGS). Alkylmercury compounds were successfully separated by this method but only defect remained is a long time necessary for the aging process.In this report, a modification of Kitamura's method was made on several points. The stationary liquid phase was replaced to 1.4 - butanediol succinate with glass tubing. In addition to the electron capture detector, a puls generator was additionary equipped. Clear separation of alkylmercury compounds in the sample was obtained with a high sensitivity.