Abstract |
A flame spectrometer for phosphorus analysis was evaluated. Response to phosphorus in the form of H3PO4 was linear from 3 micrograms/liter, the detection limit, to 120 mg/liter, the highest concentration tested. Metal ions depress phosphorus emission and must be removed by cation exchange prior to analysis. High concentrations (= or > mg/liter) of sulfur interfere positively. Volatile phosphorus compounds produce a larger signal for a given phosphorus concentration than nonvolatile compounds. River water samples were spiked with inorganic and organic phosphorus and analyzed. The measured phosphorus concentrations were 10-25% lower in river water than in deionized water. (Modified author abstract) |