16 FooD HygIEnE & SAFEty
Atomic absorption spectrometry
provides mercury analysis in fish
Mercury contamination
in fish is a worldwide
problem. Here, Dr
Andrew David Bowen and
Hazel Dickson provide
details of the reagents,
sample preparation and
instrument conditions
needed to analyse low
levels of it using atomic
absorption spectrometry.
La contamination au
mercure des poissons est
un problème d’ampleur
mondiale. Ici, les
Dr Andrew David Bowen et
Hazel Dickson précisent
les détails des réactifs, de
la préparation des
échantillons et du
paramétrage des
instruments nécessaires
pour analyser de faibles
quantités de ce métal à
l’aide de la spectrométrie
d’absorption atomique.
Die Kontaminierung von
Fischen mit Quecksilber ist
ein weltweites Problem. In
diesem Artikel erklären
Dr. Andrew David
Bowen und Hazel
Dickson Einzelheiten
zu den Reagenzien, der
ercury is a toxic environmental concerned about the human health hazards
Probenvorbereitung
und den Instrumenten-
anforderungen, die
M
pollutant that can be caused by mercury in fish. Many already enforce
transformed into methyl strict regulations regarding it. Most stipulate
mercury, a highly toxic organic maximum concentrations of mercury in fish of
zur Spurenanalyse mit
compound, by both microorganisms and abiotic approximately 0.5 mg/kg wet weight. However,
Atomabsorptions-
reactions in aquatic environments. As methyl there are differences in maximum mercury
spektrometrie
erforderlich sind.
mercury passes up the marine food chain it levels between countries and some variations
becomes increasingly concentrated by a process depending on the type of fish. Most countries
referred to as biomagnification. legislate specifically for methyl mercury, although
The harmful nature of methyl mercury was there are some that provide guidelines for total
notably documented in Japan after a chemical mercury levels as well.
company released a significant quantity of it In the US, for example, the Food and Drug
into Minamata Bay. The methyl mercury caused Administration (FDA) specifies a maximum
severe poisoning in local people, many of whom level of 1ppm methyl mercury in edible portions
live on a diet of fish and shellfish. of fresh, frozen or processed fish, shellfish,
More and more countries and global crustaceans and other aquatic animals. The
organisations are becoming increasingly European Food Safety Authority (EFSA)
www.scientistlive.com
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