Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing mercury by the atomic absorption spectrometry technique consisting of a quartz collecting tube containing a metallic net for collecting an amalgam of mercury sample, a heater for heating the collecting tube sufficiently to convert the mercury sample to an atomic state for appropriate analysis at another location, and a fluid cooling device for quickly cooling the collecting tube and metallic net to thereby prepare for the next sample analysis. The collecting tube is positioned and arranged such that in a first position it is inside of the heater and quickly after conversion of the mercury sample the tube is moved to a second position outside of the heater and adjacent to the cooling device.