This document describes the features and application of the Agilent Mercury Concentration Accessory (MCA-90). The accessory allows for the determination of mercury at ultra-low levels and is suitable for environmental monitoring. By utilizing the amalgamation of mercury with gold, the MCA-90 enhances the sensitivity of mercury signals for measurement.
The Agilent MCA-90 Mercury Concentration Accessory is a microprocessor-based device designed to enhance the detection of mercury at ultra-low levels when used with the Agilent VGA-76 Vapor Generation Accessory and SpectrAA series atomic absorption spectrometers. It utilizes a gold collecting surface to trap mercury vapor, which is then electrically heated to release adsorbed mercury for measurement.
The document details a study evaluating the MCA-90 using the US EPA digestion procedure for environmental samples. Results show that with a 40-second collection time, the system achieves a detection limit of 0.01 pg/L (10 ppt), significantly lower than the VGA-76 alone. The note also provides practical guidelines for setting collection times, delay times, and heat times to optimize sensitivity and sample throughput.
| Detection Limit | 0.01 pg/L (10 ppt) |
|---|---|
| Collection Time (Manual Mode) | 40 seconds |
| Delay Time (Manual Mode) | 35 seconds |
| Heat Time | 45 seconds |
| Wavelength | 253.7 nm |
| Sample Volume (40s collect) | 16 mL |
The detection limit is 0.01 pg/L (10 ppt).
It uses a gold collecting surface to trap mercury vapor, which is then electrically heated to release the adsorbed mercury for measurement.
It is a microprocessor-based accessory for the SpectrAA series.