Standard Test Method for Total Mercury in Crude Oil Using Combustion and Direct Cold Vapor Atomic Absorption Method with Zeeman Background Correction

1.1 This test method covers the procedure to determine the total mercury content in a sample of crude oil. This test method can be used for total mercury determination in natural and processed liquid and oil products (gasoline, naphtha, etc.).

1.2 This test method may be applied to samples containing between 5.0 ng/mL to 350 ng/mL of mercury. The results may be converted to mass basis.

1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.4 WARNING—Mercury has been designated by many regulatory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause central nervous system, kidney and liver damage. Mercury, or its vapor, may be hazardous to health and corrosive to materials. Caution should be taken when handling mercury and mercury containing products. See the applicable product Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for details and EPA’s website—http://www.epa.gov/mercury/faq.htm—for additional information. Users should be aware that selling mercury and/or mercury containing products into your state or country may be prohibited by law.

1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.