Caution:  PLEASE READ THIS GUIDE COMPLETELY BEFORE PERFORMING YOUR FIRST TEST. The extraction bottle in this test kit contains concentrated acids. The kit has been designed to minimize the risk of user contact with these acids. However, gloves (provided in this test kit), eye protection, and protective clothing should always be worn.

Kit Components
Note: Only one bottle of Wash Solution and one bottle of Substrate Solution is provided with the 10 Test Kit. These bottles contain enough solution to perform 10 tests. Do not discard these bottles until all tests are performed.

Latex Gloves, Weigh Boats, and Wooden Spatulas
                   

Extraction Bottles, Dilution Reagents, and Enzyme Reagents
                   

SPOT Pads, Wash Solution,  and Substrate Solution
                   

Instructions

1. Weigh between 1.9 and 2.1 grams of the soil sample in the WEIGH BOAT. (If a balance is not available, use enough soil to cover the bottom of the weigh boat to a depth of approximately l/8th inch.)


2. Transfer the soil sample to the extraction bottle. Screw the filter cap onto the EXTRACTION BOTTLE and remove the red tip from the filter cap.


3. Crush the two glass ampoules inside by squeezing the sides of the EXTRACTION BOTTLE. Shake the extraction jar vigorously using a SIDE-TO-SIDE MOTION (Not up and down) until the soil and extraction acids are well mixed. Wait at least two minutes before proceeding with the next step.


4. Remove the filter cap from the extraction bottle. Slowly and carefully add the entire contents of the DILUTION REAGENT to the EXTRACTION BOTTLE. Screw the filter cap tightly onto the EXTRACTION BOTTLE and shake the bottle gently using a SIDE-TO-SIDE MOTION (Not up and down} until the soil and the extraction solution are well mixed. Allow the soil to settle for one minute.


5. Remove and discard the white cap from the ENZYME REAGENT (without spilling the contents inside the tube). Squeeze four drops of the soil extract from the EXTRACTION BOTTLE into the ENZYME REAGENT tube. Note: Do not discard the filter tip and red cap attached to the white cap. These items are used in Step 6.


6. Press the enzyme reagent filter tip into the top of the ENZYME REAGENT tube. While holding the filter tip and red cap firmly onto the ENZYME REAGENT tube, bend the tube to crush the glass ampoule inside. Invert the tube five or six times gently to mix the contents.


7. Squeeze four drops from the ENZYME REAGENT tube onto the membrane in the center of the MERCURY SPOT PAD. Allow the drops to completely soak into the pad.


8. Squeeze four drops of the WASH solution onto the MERCURY SPOT PAD. Allow the drops to completely soak into the pad.


9. Squeeze four drops of the SUBSTRATE solution onto the MERCURY SPOT PAD.


10. Observe the MERCURY SPOT PAD for two minutes. If a blue spot develops on the center of the membrane against a white or lighter colored background, the soil sample contains mercury at a concentration of 1 ppm or more. If no distinct spot is visible, the soil sample contains less than 1 ppm mercury.