High-performance liquid chromatography as a valuable tool for determination of mercury species in environmental samples. A review

Different strategies for mercury species analysis in environmental samples by liquid chromatography and different approaches to sampling and preservation of mercury species during their storage have been reviewed. Extraction techniques of mercury species from environmental samples, including possibilities of mercury preconcentration have been described. Separation mechanisms of mercury species by liquid chromatographic techniques, such as reverse phase and ion-pair chromatography have been discussed. Different techniques for sensitive and selective detection of mercury and detection limits achievable with hyphenated techniques have been also critically reviewed.