MERCURY IN SOIL BY IMMUNOASSAY

2.1 Test kits are commercially available for this method. The manufacturer's directions should be followed. 2.2 In general, the method is performed using an extract of a solid sample. Solid samples are prepared by extraction with a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids for ten minutes and then buffered prior to analysis. The sample is added to a tube (treated with BSA-glutathione) and incubated at ambient temperatures for five minutes. The mercuric ions bound to the sulflhydryl groups of the BSA-glutathione are now reacted with a reconstituted antibody specific for mercury and incubated for five more minutes. A peroxidase conjugate is added to the sample, reacting with any mercury specific antibody. The substrate is then added forming a color that is in proportion to the amount of mercury originally present in the sample. The color produced is then spectrophotometrically compared with the control standards.