Plant sample digestion for mercury analysis by atomic absorption spectrophotometry with a cold vapor generation accessory (AAS-VGA)

A technique for the determination of mercury concentrations in plant material is described. Samples of the epiphytic bromeliad Tillandsia usneoides were digested using H2SO4, H2O2, KMnO4 and K2S2O8 and mercury measured by cold vapor atomic aobsorption spectrophotometry. The accyracy and detection limits of the method were determined and a brief example of the use of the plant as biomonitor is discussed.