Final answer:
No, HPLC is not the ideal method for determining mercury and arsenic in fish; atomic spectroscopy is preferred. Ultrasonication uses sound waves in the range of 20 kHz to several MHz to create shock waves that assist in sample breakdown.
Step-by-step explanation:
If a researcher wants to determine the mercury and arsenic content in a given fish sample, High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) is not typically the method of choice. Instead, atomic spectroscopy techniques such as atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) or inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) are more suitable due to their ability to analyze metal content in samples. HPLC is generally used for separating organic compounds rather than elements, although certain forms of HPLC, such as ion chromatography, can sometimes be adapted for specific elemental or inorganic analyses.
The wavelength range of sound applied to a sample in ultrasonication typically spans from 20 kHz to several MHz. Ultrasonication works by creating sound waves that produce cavitation bubbles in the liquid. When these bubbles collapse, they create shock waves that can disrupt cellular structures and chemical bonds, assisting in the breakdown of the sample.