Speciation analysis for mercury in gas condensates by capillary gas chromatography with inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometric detection

• Published in: Journal of Chromatography A Vol. 976; no. 1; pp. 431 - 439
• Main Authors: Bouyssiere, Brice, Baco, Franck, Savary, Laurent, Lobiñski, Ryszard
• Format: Journal Article Conference Proceeding
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier B.V 08.11.2002; Elsevier
• Subjects: Analytical chemistry; Applied sciences; Chemical Sciences; Chemistry; Chromatographic methods and physical methods associated with chromatography; Chromatography, Gas - methods; Energy; Exact sciences and technology; Fuels; Gas characteristics and properties. Sampling. Analysis; Gas chromatographic methods; Gas industry; Gases - chemistry; Mercury; Mercury - chemistry; Metals; Organomercury compounds; Gas condensates; Mercury; Organomercury compounds; Metals; Chemical analysis; Coupled method; Atomic emission spectrometry; Zerovalent metal; Gas analysis; Derivatization; Inductive coupling plasma spectrometry; Alkylation; Heavy metal; Gas chromatography; Grignard reagent; Sample preparation; Mercury Organic compounds; Microwave induced plasma spectrometry; Divalent metal Organic compounds; Mass spectrometry; Comparative study; Speciation
• ISSN: 0021-9673; 1873-3778
• DOI: 10.1016/S0021-9673(02)01151-2

A method allowing species-selective determination of atomic mercury, non-polar dialkylated mercury compounds, polar monoalkylated species and inorganic mercury complexes in natural gas condensates was developed. Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was employed as a detection method for capillary gas chromatography and compared with microwave induced plasma atomic emission detection for the analysis of hydrocarbon-rich matrices. The method was based on two consecutive injections allowing comprehensive speciation analysis. First a sample aliquot was diluted with toluene and analysed for Hg 0 and individual dialkylmercury compounds. Then, another aliquot was butylated with a Grignard reagent for the species specific determination of Hg(II) and monoalkylated mercury species. The detection limits were down to 0.08 pg level.