Scanner image analysis in the quantification of mercury using spot-tests

A digital image analysis procedure for mercury quantification based on the analysis of the color developed in a spot-test derived reaction using a commercial scanner is described. The color intensity is related to the concentration in the original sample. Digital image analysis of the developed color was used to establish a quantitative relationship between the color components and the mercury concentration. Different color separation models were compared and their sensitivity to the variation of the mercury concentration was evaluated. The Hue-Lightness-Saturation (HLS) model provided the best results, showing a linear relationship between the Hue value and the mercury concentration. The procedure was used for the analysis of interlaboratorial fish samples and good concordance between found and reported values was found. The detection limits were estimated from the confidence bands of the analytical curves. For a calibration interval of 100 to 600 ng, a detection limit of 0.007 mu g g(-1) (wet weight) was found.