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A Sensitive Colorimetric Method for the Quantitation of Selenite in Soil Solutions and Natural Waters
Author(s) -
Holtzclaw Kenneth M.,
Neal Rosemary H.,
Sposito Garrison,
Traina Samuel J.
Publication year - 1987
Publication title -
soil science society of america journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.836
H-Index - 168
eISSN - 1435-0661
pISSN - 0361-5995
DOI - 10.2136/sssaj1987.03615995005100010015x
Subject(s) - selenate , selenium , chemistry , colorimetric analysis , hydrolysis , chromatography , environmental chemistry , colorimetry , aqueous solution , sulfate , biochemistry , organic chemistry
A sensitive colorimetric method for the quantitation of selenite in aqueous solution at concentrations between 0.15 and 30 µmol kg −1 was developed. The method is based on the formation of a colored complex between selenite and 2,3‐diaminonapthalene (DAN) and is selective for selenite in selenite‐selenate mixtures. The yellow color of the complex is stable for at least 48 h and there appear to be no interference effects from selenate, sulfate, and other normal soil solution ionic constituents at moderate to high concentrations. Because the method is specific for selenite, it can be combined with acid digestion and hydrolysis to quantitate total Se and to speciate Se in soil solutions containing both selenite and selenate.