The Extraction of Mercury and Methylmercury by Diphenylthiocarbazone-treated Polyurethane Foams

Abstract

Dithizone-treated polyurethane foams which are easily prepared in the laboratory, are shown to efficiently extract mercury(II) and methylmercury(II) chloride from aqueous solution over a wide pH range for mercury concentrations below 10 p.p.m. The mercury is firmly held but can be recovered for analysis by eluting with acetone if desired. The extraction of both forms of mercury from domestic water, river water, raw sewage, and secondary-treated sewage is shown to be acceptable.