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| Title | A Comparison of Two Analytical Methods for Measuring Mercury in Fish Tissue | |
| Month-Year Published | September 2007 | |
| Online Availability |
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| Short Description |
In 2005, Ecology staff at the Manchester Environmental Laboratory adopted new methodology for determining mercury in fish tissue. Lab duplicates were analyzed using EPA Methods 245.5 and 245.6 to determine if laboratory methods affected analytical results. A regression analysis of the lab duplicates found EPA Method 245.5 to report mercury concentrations 25-38% lower than Method 245.6, varying with magnitude of concentration. A correctional equation was developed to estimate mercury concentrations between methods. (Also see abstract below) | |
| Publication Number | 07-03-041 | |
| Author(s) | Furl, C. | |
| Print Availability | ||
| Number of pages | 17 | |
| Keywords | Environmental Protection Agency, fish, laboratory, mercury, methods, tissue | |
| Related Publications | Title | Relationship |
| Measuring Mercury Trends in Freshwater Fish in Washington State: 2006 Sampling Results | similar topic | |
| Abstract | Long Description |
In 2005, Washington State Department of Ecology staff at the Manchester Environmental Laboratory adopted new methodology for determining mercury in fish tissue. Laboratory duplicates were analyzed using U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Method 245.5 and Method 245.6 to determine if laboratory methods affected analytical results. A regression analysis of the laboratory duplicates found Method 245.5 to report mercury concentrations 25-38% lower than Method 245.6, depending on the magnitude of concentration. The cause of the difference in measurements is likely due to the different digestion processes applied prior to measurement. A correctional equation was developed to estimate mercury concentrations between methods. |
This page last updated August 17, 2011
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