Direct mercury analysis for research and teaching at Lincoln University
Lincoln University research laboratory performs trace metals analysis on a wide range of environmental and food samples. Mercury determination was a challenging task when working with ICP-based techniques and CVAA. DMA-80 evo simplifies mercury analysis and enabled Dr. Ikem’s group to conduct research that has appeared in several publications since 2004.
BACKGROUND
Before joining Lincoln University in 2003, Dr. Ikem
held a postdoctoral research position at Tuskegee
University, where he started using the DMA-80 for
mercury determination on water, fish, and sediment
samples from the nearby Tuskegee Lake. Dr. Ikem’s
success with using direct mercury analysis at Tuskegee
University was why he decided to incorporate the
system at Lincoln University for his work in analyzing
heavy metals contamination
IMPLEMENTATION
The ability to obtain mercury results without the
traditional sample preparation process is critical when
performing comprehensive studies involving different
matrices. Such is the case of Dr. Ikem’s research,
which has encompassed working with samples to
characterize the presence of heavy metals in the
environmental studies in the Missouri area as a
result of agricultural activities. Food toxicology has
also been the focus of his work, having performed
research on the exposure of the population to heavy
metals by analyzing mercury in canned fish, dietary
supplements, infant formula, among other products.
While some of the elements of interest do require
extended sample digestion procedures, the DMA-
80 poses a unique advantage of a straight-forward
operation that has allowed for an easy integration
into several teaching courses at Lincoln University.
Originally utilized in their graduate courses, direct
mercury analysis is now also part of undergraduate
400-level courses where students have had the
opportunity to actively participate in research and
present their work at several national conferences in
the US.
CONCLUSION
The flexibility that the Milestone DMA-80 system offers
allows for the processing of large quantities of samples,
obtaining results in just 5 minutes per sample.
With a 40-position autosampler and no acid digestion
requirement, the dedicated mercury solution has
enhanced Dr. Ikem’s research and allowed his lab to
avoid the memory effect challenges that traditional
techniques pose. Researchers at Lincoln University
report excellent recoveries and use standard reference
materials for the different matrices they work with. In
addition to the technical benefits, students have been
able take advantage of the DMA-80 to develop their
analytical instrumentation skills and easily integrate
their knowledge of environmental sciences into practical
research.