Abstract

2-Acetylpyridine thiosemicarbazone (APT) is used as new analytical reagent for the direct non-extractive
spectrophotometric determination of mercury (Hg). It reacts with mercury in acidic medium (pH 6.0, sodium
acetate-acetic acid buffer) to form yellow colored (
max, 351 nm) 1:2(Hg-APT) complex. The colour reaction is
instantaneous and the absorbance remains constant for about 24h. The molar absorptivity and sandell’s
sensitivity are found to be 5.4x104 L.mol-1 .cm-1and 0.0037μgcm-2 of Hg(II)respectively. The system obey Beer’s
law for 0.240-2.407 μg/ml of Hg(II). Large number of cations, anions and complexing agents (e.g. citrate,
fluoride and thiocyanate) do not interfere in the determination of mercury. The method is successfully applied
for the determination of mercury in a number of water samples (potable and polluted), biological samples, soil
samples and ayurvedic medicinal samples. The method has high sensitivity, selectivity precision and accuracy.