An assay for inorganic mercury(II) based on its post-catalytic enhancement effect on the potassium permanganate-luminol system.

A strong chemiluminescence (CL) response is observed when potassium permanganate solution is injected into basic luminol solution. When the CL reaction terminates, subsequent injection of Hg2+ solution into the reaction mixture results in a new CL reaction. Based on the post-catalytic enhancement effect of Hg2+ on the potassium permanganate-luminol system in basic media, a fast and simple CL-coupled flow injection analysis for the determination of Hg2+ was developed. In optimum conditions, CL intensity is proportional to Hg2+ concentration over the range 1.0 x 10(-8)-1.0 x 10(-5) g/mL, with a detection limit of 2.0 x 10(-9) g/mL. The relative standard deviation (RSD) is 3.6% for 1.0 x 10(-7) g/mL Hg2+ (n = 11). After pretreatment with sulphydryl cotton fibre, environmental water samples were analysed by the proposed method for total mercury determination with satisfactory results. The results were in good agreement with those given by hydride generation-cold vapour atomic absorption spectrometry (HG-CVAAS). Copyright 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.