The baseline drift was caused by the electrodeless discharge lamp intensity drift. EDLs should be warmed up for at least 30 minutes before beginning analysis.

The standard addition measurement can be made using a blank, a standard, and a sample. Three solutions are prepared using a 1 mL micropipet.. Solution A contains 1 mL of blank and 1 ml of standard. Solution B contains 1 mL of blank and 1 mL of sample. Solution C contains 1 mL of standard and 1 mL of sample. By comparing the instrument response of the standard in solution C to that in solution A, you can determine the recovery. The concentration of mercury in the sample can be determined by using the instrument response of the standard in solution C related to the instrument response of the sample in solution B.

However, you have wasted your time on the mercury analysis. Why?

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