Analytical processes such as cold vapor atomic absorption and other techniques commonly used to determine mercury concentrations in wastewater, soil and other environmental samples require sample preparation prior to analysis, incurring costly, labor-intensive and long turnaround times. The result is a direct mercury analysis, as delivered by instrumentation from Analytix, that provides an alternative that can quickly determine total mercury in environmental samples.

The Milestone DMA-80evo and the recently launched DMA-1evo direct mercury analyzers reduce time spent on the calibration routine as it can last up to six months and is matrix independent. The DMA-80evo autosampler system can be used for solid, liquid and gas samples while the DMA-1 evo offers a compactSource: Analytix single sample system with autoinjector for solid and liquid samples. With a sample size for liquids up to 1.5 ml and for solids up to 1.5 g, the system can measure ppb of mercury. These tools are suitable for facilities requiring a system with a small footprint or have a low sample throughput.

Materials require no sample preparation and are simply weighed into sample boats and loaded into the instrument. Measurements take as little as six minutes and total mercury results are generated at the end of analysis.

Easy to use and cost effective, the DMA-1 is also considered ideal for use out in the field or offshore on oil platforms. Systems can be calibrated in the laboratory prior to shipment, eliminating the need to ship hazardous mercury with the system. Maintenance is simple, with support often performed remotely, ideal when up-time is crucial.