This research describes the effect organic solvents on electrochemical generation of mercury cold vapor. A laboratory constructed batch electrochemical cell with a Sn-Pb alloy cathode served as vapor generator coupled to an atomic absorption spectrometer. In this system, the effects of solvents such as methanol, ethanol, iso-propanol and acetonitrile on the performance of mercury cold vapor generation were examined and investigated. The results showed that a solution of 10% methanol-water, would show the highest efficiency for cold vapor production. Optimum conditions were obtained for electrochemical generation of mercury cold vapor in 10% volume of methanol-water solution. The calibration curve was constructed under optimized operating conditions which was linear in the range of 1.5-60 ng ml-1 ofmercury. Limit of detection of the method was 1.5 ng ml-1 and the RSD was 3% (n=8) for mercury determination. The accuracy and recovery of the method were investigated by analyzing tap water.

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