[Sparr]

Greetings!
I tried to determine Hg in the water (0,01 microgram/L - 1,0 microgram/L range) by CV AAS with a quartz cell which had the open ends (Perkin-Elmer AAnalyst 800). Unsuccessfully.
This way (open-ended cell)  I could only determine Hg  1,0 microgram/L and above.
Is it possible that if I used a quartz cell with the ends closed by the quartz windows I would achieve my object? In this case there would be greater Hg concentration in the cell, I think...
Anyone determines Hg lower than 1,0 microgram/L with an open-ended  cell?

[Lohe]

A cell with closed ends is needed for this application. I determine Hg in 0,1-1 microgram range with online device, but for batch systems the signal (sensitivity) is higher. I ordered a special device ( Cetac M 7500) for lower concentrations.

[Sparr]

Thank you, Lohe!
Did you try closed ends for 0,1-1 range from the very beginning? Or you came to closed ends practically? Our service engineer told us that open ends is all right for any range (icluding 0,01-1,0). Did your service engineers tell you the same?

[Lohe]

Yes, I started with a closed end cell and even with this cell it is quite difficult to recieve 0,1 ppb LQ. The open end cell is for other purposes as hydride generation. But I talk only about online systems. If you have batch type reactor, the signal is higher and my be  the conditions are different.

[Sparr]

Our system is flow injection (FIAS 400, Perkin-Elmer mercury hydride generator). The sample portion in the reactor is 500 microliter. All right, this is not an online system. So does this mean that it is possible to measure Hg lower than 1 microgram/L with the open-ended cell (because of the higher sygnal)?
DID ANYONE MANAGE TO DETERMINE Hg IN 0,01 microgram/L - 1,0 microgram/L RANGE BY  AAS+HYDRIDE GENERATOR WITH THE NOT HEATED OPEN-ENDED QUARTZ CELL ??