Table 3.

Recoveries for CH₃Hg⁺ and Hg²⁺ for extraction from artificially contaminated soils with dilute HCl and HNO₃ via ultrasounds agitation at room temperature. Values are mean ± standard deviation of five replicate extractions (n = 5)

Analyte	Medium	Sonication time (min)
		0	3	6
		Recovery (%)
Hg2+	Water	0.95 ± 0.5	8.5 ± 3.2	12 ± 4
	5% HCl	24 ± 3	20 ± 5	29 ± 6
	10% HCl	58 ± 5	84 ± 6	101 ± 6
	5% HNO3	3.5 ± 1.1	4.3 ± 1.8	4.7 ± 3.0
	10% HNO3	3.5 ± 1.2	5.5 ± 2.5	8.6 ± 2.0
CH3Hg+	Water	2.1 ± 1.3	33 ± 6	58 ± 5
	5% HCl	65 ± 3	86 ± 4	98 ± 2
	10% HCl	82 ± 3	102 ± 5	101 ± 3
	5% HNO3	71 ± 6	100 ± 4	102 ± 5
	10% HNO3	94 ± 5	99 ± 4	104 ± 4