Low-Tech Test for Mercury Detection: A New Option for Water Quality Assessment

Mercury pollution is a global environmental problem, especially in low-resource areas where artisanal iron mining taking place and industrialization on the rise. Therefore, there demand for simple methods determination of toxic metals at low. In this study, an on-field membrane lateral flow test system sensitive specific detection Hg2+ natural waters matrix proposed. For purpose, mercaptosuccinic acid (MSA) conjugated with protein-carrier (bovine serum albumin) was pre-impregnated zone strip used as capping agent mercury complexation. Quantitative evaluation analyte provided by use gold nanoparticles stabilized Tween-20 detecting agent. The sensing principle relies formation Au–Hg nanoalloy during migration solution containing along strip, followed capture colored complex. Under optimum conditions, proposed exhibited linear correlation between color intensity from concentration range 0.04–25 ng/mL. total analysis time 11 min, without need usage additional instrumentation. limit estimated to be 0.13 ng/mL, which 45 times lower than WHO guidelines. applicability confirmed waters, recoveries ranging 70 120%. Due high affinity Au Hg complexing, developed demonstrates selectivity toward Hg2+. Compared existing analytical methods, approach can easily implemented characterized economy performance.