Sample Preparation
Prior to analysis, samples are prepared as per normal methylmercury methodology, typically distillation for water (US EPA 1630), extraction for sediment or digestion for tissue.
Vial Loading
Prepared samples are added to 40 mL vials with Teflon® lined septa caps. Samples are buffered to pH 4.9, ethylated with the addition of NaBEt4, topped off with DI water, capped, shaken 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!
Liquid Handling
As each vial is pierced, the liquid is automatically transferred via gas pressure to a purge vessel where N2 gas volatilizes ethylated Hg species to a Tenax® trap.
Trap Processing
The first trap is dried while another trap collects ethylated Hg species from the next vial. After drying, another vial is purged onto a third trap while the second is dried, and the first trap, now dry, is ballistically heated to thermally release the Hg species in an argon carrier gas stream.
GC Separation
The released Hg species are separated on a GC column and then thermally reduced to elemental mercury.    
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.