CRM Mercury (Hg) - Aqueous calibration solution ASTASOL® AN7024N

Importance of the Topic

Accurate calibration standards are essential for reliable quantification of mercury in environmental and industrial samples. The ASTASOL® AN7024N solution provides a traceable and homogeneous CRM that supports method validation across various atomic and electroanalytical techniques.

Objectives and Study Overview

This certificate describes the preparation, certification, and intended use of an aqueous mercury calibration solution. The primary aim is to deliver a reference material with well-defined concentration and uncertainty, ensuring SI-traceability and suitability for routine laboratory analyses.

Applied Methodology and Instrumentation

The certified concentration (10.00 ± 0.05 mg/L at 20 °C) is obtained by gravimetric preparation using 99.999% pure elemental mercury. Verification involves complexometric titration against NIST SRM 928. Trace impurities are characterized by AAS, ICP-OES, and ICP-MS to confirm purity levels below detection limits.

Main Results and Discussion

The solution matrix consists of 5% HNO3, yielding a density of 1.0238 ± 0.0005 g/cm3. The expanded uncertainty reflects combined influences from preparation, homogeneity, and stability assessments. Trace element profiling confirms impurity concentrations are negligible for calibration purposes, verifying the CRM’s suitability for high-precision analyses.

Benefits and Practical Applications

• Direct SI-traceability for mercury quantification
• Compatibility with AAS, AES, ICP-OES, ICP-MS, molecular absorption, and electroanalytical methods
• Enhanced method validation and quality control in environmental monitoring, food safety, and industrial testing

Future Trends and Potential Uses

Advances in miniaturized sensors and portable instrumentation will benefit from robust CRMs like ASTASOL® AN7024N. Integration into automated workflows, digital data management, and blockchain-based traceability can further enhance confidence in measurement results.

Conclusion

ASTASOL® AN7024N delivers a high-purity, SI-traceable mercury standard with demonstrated homogeneity and stability. Its broad applicability and rigorous certification make it a valuable tool for laboratories demanding precise calibration solutions.

Reference

• ISO Guide 31: Reference Materials – Contents of Certificates
• ISO 17034:2017 – General Requirements for the Competence of Reference Material Producers
• NIST SRM 928 – Mercury Standard Solution