Sequential injection analysis (SIA) technique has been applied to anodic stripping voltammetry (ASV). The sample and reagent volumes can easily be controlled by SIA. The technique also allows plating of the mercury film on-line and therefore substantially reduces generation of mercury containing waste. Repeated sample passage through the detector was used during the deposition step to enhance the sensitivity. The way solution handling is done in SIA allows an easy and effective medium exchange procedure increasing the selectivity of the method. This has been demonstrated by changing the stripping medium and having different complexing agents in the stripping solution. The observed potential shifts of the stripping peaks could theoretically be explained in the cases where the complexation constants are known. Calibration and the standard addition methods are discussed and demonstrated by determining copper in tap water as a method of testing the procedure. (C) 1997 Elsevier Science B.V.