Lab- and online-capable atomic fluorescence spectrometer for mercury, arsenic, selenium and antimony in water

Hg, As, Se and Sb are 4 of the 13 trace metals and metalloids that are considered environmental priority pollutants. They do not degrade and can be derived from both natural and anthropogenic sources. As such,  the analysis of these metals represents a significant routine workload for many contact labs and it's important to be able to complete the work with a high degree of accuracy, precision and sensitivity. In some jurisdictions the acceptable method detection limit for the concentration of Hg in drinking water is set at an analytically challenging 0.2ng/L (part-per-trillion). Analytical sensitivity, therefore, is a critical requirement.

Coupling Atomic Fluorescence Spectrometry (AFS) with either cold vapour generation or hydride generation has been PS Analytical's core competency for over 35 years. With the addition of analyte separation capabilities (which is becoming more routine) allowing for speciation studies, PSA offers powerful analytical tools to help contract laboratories, research teams and regulators alike with these determinations. Online variations for routine monitoring, removal efficiency and trend analysis are also available.

AFS Laboratory Analysers 

PSA Millennium Merlin for Hg Determinations

With a limit of detection of 0.1ng/L and linear range from 0.1ng/L to 10mg/L the Millennium Merlin AFS analyser is a robust system that is ideally suited to all water and wastewater samples. 

PSA Millennium Merlin 1631 for Hg Determinations

Especially designed to meet the exacting performance requirements of EPA Method 1631 “Mercury in Water by Oxidation, Purge and Trap, and Cold Vapor AFS” the Millennium Merlin 1631 houses an on-board gold pre- concentration trap for even lower detection limits.

PSA Millennium Excalibur

(10.055 Total As, Se, Sb, Bi & Te)

The automated Millennium Excalibur, with its built-in hydride generation manifold & boost ed hollow cathode lamp is the ideal analyser for all water and wastewater sample matrices.

AFS Speciation Studies

Metal transport and toxicological properties of these elements critically depend on the form (species) in which they occur in the sample. As a consequence, trace element speciation, particularly for toxic trace elements, is nowadays considered of major importance to ensure environmental safety and compliance disposal.

To increase the range of applications including speciation studies we employ a configurable chromatographic front end; the Modular Interface (MI), which is equipped with LC pump, injection valve, UV cracker, heater and cooling modules. This simple interface couples directly to the Millennium Merlin or Excalibur for seamless speciation determinations.

• Arsenic Speciation in Natural Waters
• Selenium Speciation in FGD Wastewater

AFS Online wastewater analysis  

Fully automated online AFS wastewater analysers for these elements are also available for those industries requiring 24/7 monitoring and compliance capability 

PS Analytical offers 2 fully automated online wastewater analysers.

PSA 10.226 Online Hg

1. 10.226A (amalgamation option)
2. 10.226V (direct cold vapour option)

PSA 10.256 Online Excalibur (for As/Se)

These analysers represent the third iteration of our online offerings for aqueous liquid streams. Both systems have some similarities including.

• Touch screen PC
• Multiple sample streams including grab samples
• Self-cleaning sample filtration.
• Very Low reagent and utility consumption
  - Typically, 5-7ml of reagent is required per sample
• Online digestion and sample preparation
• Customisable alarm output options.