MercuryCheck for Soil: Applications Note
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Background: Mercury contamination of soil and groundwater occurs as a by product of many industrial processes such as the manufacture of batteries, and from incineration of household and industrial waste as well as from the coal and oil fired electrical generation. When used in conjunction with LeadCheck Soil, MercuryCheck Swabs can provide valuable information about the mercury content of soils. Method: Follow the standard LeadCheck Soil instructions for sample preparation and extraction. Use the following instructions to screen the extract for mercury. Using one of the droppers provided, place 1 drop of liquid from the reaction bottle into a well on the reaction tray. Activate a MercuryCheck Swab and rub the tip directly into the neutralized extract. If mercury is present, the tip of the swab will turn a purple or violet color. Sensitivity: The detection limit for soil samples spiked with Mercury Chloride is approximately 150ppm. This detection limit may vary with naturally occurring differences in soil chemistry.