This method provides a screening procedure for the determination of mercury in soils at concentrations as low as 0.5 mg/Kg.
1.2 This procedure describes the analysis of soil samples for the detection of mercury by an Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA). This method is conducted as a screening technique, the sample's concentration is estimated through comparison of the sample to a standard. Other solid matrices (see Table 5) may be analyzed by this technique as long as the QC parameters detailed in this method are achievable.
1.3 In conjunction with this technique, Method 7471 should be used to determine the exact concentration of mercury when required or for confirmatory purposes. This is especially true near regulatory or action levels. A minimum of 10% confirmatory analyses is suggested.