CRM Mercury (Hg) - Aqueous calibration solution ASTASOL® AN90241N

Significance of the topic

Certified reference materials are essential for ensuring the accuracy and comparability of analytical measurements in environmental monitoring, pharmaceuticals, food safety and industrial quality control. A well-characterized CRM provides SI traceability and supports method validation, calibration and quality assurance protocols.

Objectives and overview of the certificate

This certificate details the preparation, characterization and certified values for ASTASOL AN90241N, an aqueous mercury calibration solution (1000 mg/L) in 5% HNO₃. It conforms to ISO Guide 31 and ISO 17034 standards, specifying production details, concentration, uncertainty, storage and handling requirements.

Methodology and Instrumentation

The primary solution was prepared gravimetrically from 99.999% elemental mercury and sub-boiled distilled nitric acid in ultrapure water, ensuring traceability to the kilogram. The concentration and expanded uncertainty (k=2) were verified by complexometric titration against NIST SRM 928. Trace impurities were screened by atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS), inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Main results and discussion

The certified mercury concentration is 1000 ± 2 mg/L at 20 °C, corresponding to 974 ± 3 mg/kg based on a density of 1.0262 ± 0.0005 g/cm³. Analysis of over 80 elements showed impurity levels at or below detection limits, confirming high purity. Homogeneity and stability studies demonstrate reliable performance over a three-year shelf life when stored between 5–30 °C and equilibrated to 20 ± 0.5 °C before use.

Benefits and Practical Applications

This CRM is designed for calibration and validation across multiple analytical techniques:

• Atomic absorption spectrometry (AAS)
• Atomic emission spectrometry (AES)
• ICP-OES and ICP-MS
• Molecular absorption spectrometry
• Selected electroanalytical methods

Its precise concentration, documented uncertainty and SI-traceability enable laboratories to achieve reliable, comparable results and comply with regulatory standards.

Future Trends and Possibilities for Use

Emerging developments may include multi-element CRMs, automated digital certification and enhanced formulation stability. Integration with laboratory information management systems (LIMS) and real-time verification tools will further streamline quality control and support continuous analytical monitoring.

Conclusion

ASTASOL AN90241N provides a rigorously certified, high-purity mercury standard solution with validated homogeneity and stability. It serves as a critical tool for traceable calibration and method validation in diverse analytical laboratories.

References

No external literature references were provided in the certificate.