Identifying and Evaluating Concerns Associated with High Level Mercury Analysis

As polution problems continue to arise so does the need for bioremediation technologies. As the technologies are tested using lab scaled models analysis of the samples becomes an issue. Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP) analysis is often employed for the detection of trace metals in these samples. While efficient, it is not without its concerns. For a mercury contaminated site in Albany, NY, electrokinetic cells were tested. The high concentrations of mercury in the samples became an issue. High levels of mercury cause problems with mercury remaining in the tubing of the ICP machine. This leads to elevated readings for subsequent samples and distorted data. It also presents problems with Quality Analysis and Quality Control (QA/QC)data. Several methods were tested to try to alleviate these problems including ammendments to the wash solution, additional wash time, and dilution of samples.