Total mercury concentration
direct solid analysis
Material Analysis · Composition & Elemental
Direct Mercury Analysis
Characterise total mercury concentration, trace mercury in solids and liquids, and batch or spatial variation where subsamples are tested using a scope agreed around your sample and decision.
- Price
- from£75 per sample, excl. VAT
- Turnaround
- 5 working days Preparation and scope dependent
- Available platforms
- Milestone DMA-80 evo
- Typical outputs
- Total mercury resultCalibration and QC summaryReplicate and blank dataMethod-specific images
Why this service
What Direct Mercury Analysis can help you understand
Direct Mercury Analysis is selected when the project needs defensible information on total mercury concentration, trace mercury in solids and liquids, or batch or spatial variation where subsamples are…
Trace mercury in solids and liquids
liquid aliquot analysis
Batch or spatial variation where subsamples are tested
low- and high-range methods
Choose the scope
Start from the question, not the tool
The method, preparation route and reporting depth depend on what you need to decide.
Direct solid analysis
total mercury concentration
- Best used when
- total mercury concentration
- Typical result
- Total mercury result
- Preparation note
- Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review.
Liquid aliquot analysis
trace mercury in solids and liquids
- Best used when
- trace mercury in solids and liquids
- Typical result
- Calibration and QC summary
- Preparation note
- Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement.
Low- and high-range methods
batch or spatial variation where subsamples are tested
- Best used when
- batch or spatial variation where subsamples are tested
- Typical result
- Replicate and blank data
- Preparation note
- Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements.
Common outputs
A result package matched to the decision you need to make
Fields, conditions, processing and file formats are confirmed before work begins.
Total mercury result reported with the agreed units, sample reference and measurement conditions.
Calibration and QC summary supplied in a labelled format suitable for direct sample or condition comparison.
Replicate and blank data provided with the processing basis and quality checks agreed during technical review.
Method-specific images included when selected in the confirmed reporting scope.
Sample requirements
What to provide before work begins
Provide representative, clearly labelled samples and identify the decision, feature or comparison that matters.
| Suitable sample | Submission requirement | Planning note |
|---|---|---|
| Powder / particles | Provide a dry, homogeneous and clearly labelled sample in a sealed container. | Exact mass and any drying or dispersion step are confirmed after technical review. |
| Liquid / solution | Provide a sealed, compatible container labelled with composition, concentration and solvent. | Declare volatility, corrosivity, suspended solids and any storage or temperature requirement. |
| Biological / soft material | Provide fixed, preserved or otherwise stabilised material in the agreed container and medium. | Declare biological hazards and confirm fixation, dehydration, temperature and disposal requirements. |
| Solid / component | Provide a clean, stable and clearly labelled specimen with the target face or region identified. | Confirm dimensions, cutting permission and whether the original geometry must be preserved. |
Objective: state the decision, comparison or acceptance criterion the work must support.
Handling and access: declare hazards, instability, confidentiality, file constraints or special logistics before dispatch or transfer.
Questions and answers
Common planning decisions
Short answers to issues that can change preparation, scope, timing or interpretation.
What should I send for Direct Mercury Analysis?
Provide powder / particles, liquid / solution, biological / soft material, solid / component as applicable. Exact quantity, dimensions and preparation are confirmed during technical review.
Which analysis option should I choose?
Choose the mode around the decision you need to make. For total mercury concentration, start with direct solid analysis; add liquid aliquot analysis when comparison or quantification is required.
How long will the test take?
Typical turnaround is 5 working days after sample acceptance and method confirmation.
What can limit the result?
The method reports total mercury, not speciation. Small test portions require careful homogenisation for heterogeneous materials.
Configure the service
Send the information needed to scope Direct Mercury Analysis correctly
- Sample form, material, dimensions and quantity
- Feature or decision the result must address
- Required comparison, acceptance criterion or reference
- Preferred output and reporting depth