OrthophosphateandTotalP.docVIP

Orthophosphate and Total P - Orthophosphate reacts with ammoniummolybdate to a yellow-colored phosphorousmolybdate acid, that is reduced with ascorbic acid in the presence of antimony to a strongly blue colored complex. This color is measured photometrically as described in Norwegian Standard (NS 4724). - Determination of total phosphorous in water after digestion/dissolution of samples with potassium peroxidisulphate (K2S2O8) as described in Norwegian Standard (NS 4725). The method is applicable on freshwater and seawater samples, but is not applicable of for water with high organic carbon content. Maximum P-concentration is 500 (g P L-1. Samples with higher concentrations have to be diluted. Detection limit: 1 (g P L-1. Silicon and arsenic in the form of arsenate can interfere with the analysis, as these compounds also create a blue complex with molybdate PRINCIPLE Orthophosphate: In a sulphuric acid solution (( 0.1 mol L-1) orthophosphate reacts with molybdate and antimony (Sb III) forming a yellow-colored molybdatephosphorous complex. By reducing this complex by ascorbic acid a bluecolored heteropolycomplex (molybdenum blue) is formed. This coloured complex is determined spectrophotometrically at OD880nm. Samples with high organic carbon content need a stronger oxidation procedure. Interference with free chlorine is eliminated by the ascorbic acid. Total-P: Complex inorganic and organic P-compounds will be transformed to orthophosphate by addition of peroxidisulphate under acidic conditions by boiling the samples (in teflon-containers) in an autoclave. REAGENTS All chemicals should be of PA quality. K2S2O8, H2SO4, C6H8O6, (NH4)6Mo7O24(4H2O, K(SbO)C4H4O6(0.5H2O, Na2S2O3(5H2O, Na2CO3, KH2PO4, HCl, NaOH. 4M Sulphuric acid 222mL concentrated sulphuric acid (95-97%, density 1.84 g mL-1) is carefully diluted to 5L with d.d.d. water. The solution is stored at room temperature for 1 week. Washing water 95mL of the 4M sulphuric acid is diluted to 5