A Novel Method for the Extraction Spectrophotometric Determination of Nitrate and Nitrite in Water, Waste Water and Effluent
PranabKumarTarafder*,S.Roychowdhury
Department of Atomic Energy, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, India
*Corresponding author: Pranab Kumar Tarafder,Department of Atomic Energy, Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research, Khasmahal, Jamshedpur-83100, India. Email: pktarafder1954@gmail.com
Received Date: 07 January, 2018; Accepted Date:22 January, 2018; Published Date:31 January, 2018
Citation: Tarafder PK, Roychowdhaury S (2018) A Novel Method for the Extraction Spectrophotometric Determination of Nitrate and Nitrite in Water, Waste Water and Effluent. Int J Anal Bioanal Tech:IJABT-102.DOI: 10.29011/IJABT-102. 100002
1. Abstract
A novel method for the spectrophotometric determination of nitrite and nitrate in water and effluent samples has been developed. The diazotisable amine, p-aminoacetophenone has been diazotized with nitrite in the presence of hydrochloric acid at room temperature, and the diazotized salt thus produced has been allowed to couple with the reagent, 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene in alkaline medium to produce a reddish orange azo-dye suitable for the determination of nitrite in ppm level. The ʎmaxof the azo-dye being 475 nm. The very azo-dye is extractable into an organic solvent like ethylacetate without shifting the ʎmax. Similarly, nitrate ion forms a strong reddish-yellow nitro product with this reagent in the presence of concentrated sulfuric acid. This nitro product is extractable into ethylacetate, and its absorbance is measured at 380nm (ʎmax ).The Beer’s law for nitrite and nitrate were obeyed in the range, 0.1 to 5.0 ppm and 0.2 to 50 ppm, respectively. The molar absorptivity ofnitrite and nitrate are 2.5х104and 3.2х103 L.mol-1cm-1 respectively. The RSD for both the methods are in the range, 0.5 to 2.5%.
2.
Keywords:2,3-Dihydroxynaphthalene;Nitrite;
Nitrate;Solvent Extraction; Spectrophotometry
1. Introduction
There are number of methods known for nitrite and nitrate determinations[1].Mostly nitrite is determined spectrophotometrically by the formation of azo-dyes[2-8].A number ofdiazotisable amines are reported for the determination of nitrite[9]. Mention may be made of p-nitro aniline[7], 4-aminobenzoicacid[2,4],4-aminosalicylic acid[5], 4-nitroaniline[6],4-aminobenzotrifluoride[10] and 4-aminophenylmercapto acetic acid[11]etc.
Amongst
these, 4-aminophenylmercapto acetic acid has been found to be sensitive as well
as selective. However, this compound is not commonly available in the
market.Most of these methods are based upon amine-amine coupling which always
takes place in acidic medium. However, azo-dyes formed of amine-phenol coupling
which usually takes place in alkaline medium are also not unprecedented[10]. Similarly; nitrate is generally determined
spectrophotometrically based upon nitration of phenols in the presence of
concentrated sulfuric acid. The most commonly used spectrophotometric reagents
for nitrate determinations are phenol disulfonic
acid[12], chromotropic acid[13], brucine[14] etc.
This prompted us to look for a reagent which is capable of determining both nitrite and nitrate. The reagent 2, 3-dihydroxynaphthalene which has been widely used by us in our laboratory for the determination of a host of metal ions like iron[17], manganese[18], uranium[19], thorium[20], molybdenum[21], niobium[22], titanium[23, 24], rare earth elements etc. has been found to couple with diazonium cation of p-aminoacetophenone in alkaline medium to form a stable and intense reddish-orange azo-dye suitable for the spectrophotometric determination of nitrite. At the same time, this very reagent has been found to form a reddish yellow nitro product with nitrate in the presence of conc. sulfuric acid, which is readily extracted into an organic solvent(ethylacetate), suitable for spectrophotometric determination of nitrate in water samples.
This prompted us to investigate the efficacy/potential of this new reagent for the rapid, precise and accurate determination of nitrite and nitrate in water samples. In this paper, the reagent (2, 3-dihydroxynaphthalene) has been introduced by us for the determination of nitrite and nitrate for the first time.For nitrite determination, the reagent p-aminoacetophenone which has already been utilized by earlier workers as a diazotisable amine in the determination of nitrite has beenused by us.
2. Experimental
2.1. Apparatus
2.1.1. Spectrophotometer
Analytik Jena (Germany) make instrument having model No. Specord 250/plus was used for absorbance measurements.
2.2. Reagents
2.2.1. Nitrite, 1.0 mg ml-1solution
Weighed 1.4997 g of dried sodium nitrite in 1000 ml volumetric flask, dissolved in water, and the volume was made up to the markwith distilled water. Added a drop of chloroform to preserve it.
2.2.2. Nitrate, 1.0 mg ml-1 solution
Weighed 1.371 g of dried sodium nitratein one-liter volumetric flask, dissolved in water, andthe volume was made up to the mark with distilled water.
2.2.3. 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene, Fluka make (98.5% pure)
The marketed product was used as such without any further purification.
2.2.4. p-A 0.1 % (m/v) aminoacetophenone aqueous solution was used.
2.2.5. Ammonia Solution
2.2.6. Concentrated Sulphuric acid
2.3. Procedure
2.3.1. Determination of Nitrite
A 5 ml of sample aliquot containing 1.0-40 µg of nitrite was taken in a 100 ml beaker. To it was added 1 ml of 0.1% p-aminoacetophenone and 2.0 ml of 1:1 HCl and mixed well. To this solution was added 2 ml of 0.1 % 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene solution dissolved in 5 ml of ammonia ( 0.1 g of 2,3-dihydroxynapthalene + 5 ml of ammonia, diluted to 100 ml). Transferred this solution into a 125 ml separating funnel and shaken with 10 ml of ethylacetate.Allowed for phase separation, discarded the aqueous layer and the absorbance of the azo-dye in ethylacetate was measured at 475 nm against the reagent blank.
2.3.2. Determination of Nitrate
A 0.2 ml of sample aliquot was carefully pipetted out into a 125 ml separating funnel and to it was added 0.05 g solid 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene followed by 1 ml of conc. sulphuric acid and thoroughly mixed.Immediately added 10 ml of ethylacetate and shaken the mixture for about 1 min. To it was added 5 ml of water and agitated for a while. Allowed for phase separation, discarded the aqueous layer and the absorbance of reddish-yellow nitro product of2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene in ethylacetate was measured at 380 nm in a spectrophotometer against the reagent blank.
3. Results and Discussion
It has been discussed in the prelude ofthe paper, that separate reagents are required for separate determination of nitrite and nitrate in water samples. From the point of view of environmental study, nitrite and nitrate both are required to be determined in the samples under study.However, to the best of our knowledge, a single reagent which could be used forthe determination of both nitrite and nitrate together in the same sample is not known so far.
During the course of our analytical studies with the reagent,2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene, it has been found that under different reaction conditions, this very reagent can be used for spectrophotometric determination of nitrite as well as nitrate with fairly good sensitivity and selectivity.In what follows are given the details of studies carried out on variables affecting the color development for nitrite and nitrate.
3.1. Nitrite
Nitrite is determined by measuring the absorbanceof the colored azo-dye formed/synthesized in aqueous solution.The diazotisable amine, 4-aminoacetophenone was diazotized with nitrite in the presence of HCl. The diazonium cation formed was coupled with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene in alkaline medium. In order to optimize the reaction conditions, the effect of variableswere studied. The under mentioned studies were carried for 25 µg NO2-/25ml of aqueous solution.
3.1.1. Effect of the Concentration of p-aminoacetophenone
In order to maximize the intensity of the colored azo-dye i.e., to optimize the concentration of the diazotizable amine (p-aminoacetophenone), its concentration was varied over a wide range. A 1 ml of 0.1% p-aminoacetophenone in 25 mlof ethylacetate was found to be optimum for obtaining maximum absorbance of the azo-dye. The dye when extracted in to ethylacetate remained stable. The ʎmax (475nm) for the aqueous system did not change on extraction. Similarly, the sensitivity also remainedthe same on extraction.
3.1.2. Effect of HClConcentration on Diazotization
The concentration of HCl required for diazotization of p-aminoacetophenone was varied over a wide range. A 2ml of 1:1 HCl was found to be optimum for maximum sensitivity and better stability of the azo-dye formed.
3.1.3. Effect of Temperature on Diazotization
The effect of temperature on diazotization was studied by carrying out diazotization over a temperature 0 to 60°C.It was found that a temperature range 0 to 40°Cover which the diazotization was complete, as is evident from maximum color intensity of the azo-dye formed, is the most suitable range of temperature for diazotization.
3.1.4.
Effect of Coupling Agent
The effect of the concentration of 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene as a coupling agent was studied over a wide concentration range. A 2 ml of 1.0% aqueous solutionof 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene dissolved in 5 ml of ammonia solution (specific gravity 0.91) was found to be suitable for maximum coupling.
3.1.5.
Effect of Alkali/Ammonia Solution
As amine-phenol coupling takes place in alkaline medium, KOH, NaOH and NH4OH were tried for coupling. Although coupling was found to be more effective in KOH medium, it was avoided because in the process blank too, a purple color is imparted.Hence, ammonia solution (specific gravity 0.91) was successfully used for coupling reaction. A 2ml of 5% (v/v) ammonia solution was found to be optimum.
3.1.6. Effect of Diverse Ions
Effect of foreign ions on the color intensity of the azo-dye formed has been studied in detail. The tolerance limits in ppm are given in parentheses.Cl-,NH4+, HCO3-, Br-, CO32-, CH3COO-, F-, I-, NO3-,PO43-,SO42-(2000), S2-, SO32-, CNS-, S2O32-(1500), Cr3+,Ba2+, Ca2+,Mg2+,Hg2+(500), Fe3+,Mn2+, Cu2+(100).
The tolerance of Fe3+,Mn2+, Cu2+and Cr3+are low. However, in most natural water samples the content of these elements is never found to exceed 10 ppm. In effluent samples, these elements may exceed 10 ppm. In order to make the method free frominterference, solvent extraction of the azo-dye formed in aqueous solution is resorted to. While the azo-dye is easily extracted into ethylacetate, the elements like Fe3+ and Mn2+which form colored anionic complexe with the reagent, 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene remain in aqueous phase,thereby their interference is eliminated. In this context, it is pertinent to mention here that unlike the proposed method, most of the reportedspectrophotometric methods, particularly the onesinvolving determination of nitrite in aqueoussolution, are notfree from the seriousinterference ofiron, copper and manganese.
3.1.7. Beer’s Law, Molar Absorptivity and Reproducibility of the Method
The Beer’s law was obeyed from 0.1 to 5.0 mg/L NO2- and the molar absorptivity of the method is 2.5х104 L.mol-1cm-1. The relative standard deviation of the method for NO2- determination is in the range of 0.5 to 2.5%.
3.1.8. Absorption Spectra
The absorption spectrum (NO2-, 0.8 ppm) plotted between wavelength vs. absorbance in the spectrophotometer is shown in figure1. The ʎmax is found at 475 nm
3.1.9. Reaction Scheme
NO2- reacts with p-aminoacetophenone in HCl medium to form diazonium cation which is allowed to couple with the reagent ,2,3 dihydroxynaphthalene toproduce a reddish- orange a azo dye.
3.2. Nitrate
A reddish-yellow nitro-product is formed when nitrate ion (NO3-) is allowed to react with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene in the presence of conc. H2SO4. Sulfuric acid concentration plays a crucial role in the reaction of NO3- with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene.
In what follows are given the details of studies carried out on variables affecting the reaction of 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene. Unlike, phenoldisulfonic acid (PDA) which is used for the determination of NO3- in aqueous solution, here the determination of NO3- is carried out in non-aqueous solvent i.e, ethylacetate. As the nitration reaction takes place at 10 to 18 mol.L-1 concentrated H2SO4, determination of NO3-in aqueous solution is little difficult because at such high concentration ofH2SO4, handling of test solution during absorbance measurements is risky. Therefore, solvent extraction of the nitro product formed at minimum volume of aqueous sample solution (0.1 to 0.5ml) and at 10 to 18 mol.L-1 H2SO4 concentration stabilizes the nitro product formed of NO3- and2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene. This way measurement of absorbance of the extracted nitro product is easily done.
3.2.1. Effect of Volume of Aqueous Aliquot on the Extraction of Nitro-Product
The effect of the volume of the aqueous sample aliquot on the maximum reaction of nitrate with 2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene was studied by varying the volume of the aqueous samplealiquot over the range 0.1 to 10 ml. It was found that at the least volume i.e., 0.1 to 0.5 ml of the aqueous sample aliquot the absorbance of the extracted nitro product remains constant, thereafter it decreases gradually with increase in the volume of aqueous sample aliquot.
3.2.2. Effect of Concentration of H2SO4
H2SO4 concentration plays a crucial role in the formation of nitro-product. In order to see the effect of H2SO4concentration on the maximum absorbance of the extracted nitro-product into ethylacetate, the concentration of H2SO4was varied over a wide range i.e., 1 to 5 ml of 18 mol.L-1 H2SO4.
It is found that 1.0 ml concentrated H2SO4 (18 mol.L-1) was found to be suitable for obtaining constant absorbance of the extracted nitro-product upto 0.5 ml of aqueous volume before extraction. After extraction of the nitro-product is over, no change in the absorbance was observed with the addition of water up to 10 ml for 10 ml of ethylacetate used for extraction.
3.2.3. Effect of the Concentration of 2, 3-dihydroxynaphthalene
In order to see the effect, the reagent, 2, 3-dihydroxynaphthalene concentration on the nitration reaction, its concentration was varied in the range 0.01 to 1.0 g, keeping other variables constant. It was found that a 0.05 g of the solid reagent was found to be suitable for obtaining maximum absorbance of the extracted product.
3.2.4. Effect of Time of Extraction and Temperature on the color Formation
For maximum extraction of the nitro-product into the organic solvent (ethylacetate), extraction for a period of 1 to 2 min was sufficient. Similarly, it was found that the extraction reaction was independent of temperature in the range, 20 to 80°C.
3.2.5. Beer’s Law, Molar Absorptivity, Reproducibility and Stability of the Color Extracted
The Beer’s law was obeyed in the range, 0.1 to 50 ppm (mg/L) NO3-. The molar absorptivity of the method was 3.2х103 L.mol-1cm-1. The color formed once, remains stable for 15-20 hours. The Relative Standard Deviation (RSD) of the method varied in the range, 1.0 to 2.5%.
3.2.6. Absorption Spectra
The absorption spectrum of the nitro-product was plotted between absorbance vs. wavelength in the range,300 to 600 nm. The ʎmax was found at 380nm (Figure.2).
3.2.7. Effect of Diverse Ions
Effect
of foreign ions on the color reaction was studied by adding separately increasing concentration of differentions
to the 10 mg/L NO3- ion. The tolerance limits for the ions
NO2-(20), Cl- (50) , Br-, CH3COO-, F-, I-, PO43-, SO42- ,C2O42-(1000),Na+, K+, Ca2+,Mg2+, Be2+, Ba2+, Zn2+,Cu2+,Mo5+(500), Fe3+,Mn2+, Cr3+(100).
Like other reported methods for nitrate determination, chlorideion, if present more than 50 mg/L, starts interfering because in the presence of conc. H2SO4, chloride starts decomposing NO3-intoNOCl, a volatile compound.Similarly, NO2-, if present, interferes seriously. It is must that before, determining NO3- by nitration reaction, prior removal of NO2- is done by decomposing the same by adding pinch of sulfamic acid.
3.2.8. Tentative Reaction Scheme
In the presence of conc. H2SO4 nitration of the reagent takes with NO3- ion as follows.
4. Application of the Method
The
method thus developed has been thoroughly applied to a host of natural water
(bore well water, pond, canal, sewage and effluent) samples. The results as
shown in table-1 have been found to be favorably
comparablewith those obtained from standard methods[25, 26].
Based on the satisfactory results obtained, the method is recommended for the routinedetermination of both nitrite and nitrate in the same sample.
5. Conclusions
It
is a unique method for the determination of both nitrate and nitrite together
in the same sample using the same reagent (2,3-dihydroxynaphthalene).
The
advantages of the method are:
(i)
It is rapid and using the same reagent both nitrite (NO2-)
and nitrate (NO3-) can be easily determined in the same sample.
(ii)Being an extraction method, it is mostly free from interference.
6. Acknowledgement
The
authors are thankful to ShriPramod Kumar, Regional Director, AMD, ER,Jamshedpur & Dr. G. Chakrapani, Head, Chemistry Group, AMD, Hyderabad for
providing necessary facilities and their encouragement for carrying out the
work. The authors are also thankful to Shri P.S Parihar, Director, AMDfor
giving permission to present/publish the work.
Figure 1: Plot of absorbance vs. wavelength for nitrite (0.8
ppm) determination using 2, 3- dihydroxynaphthalene.
Figure 2: Plot of absorbance vs. wavelength for nitrate (20
ppm) determination using 2, 3- dihydroxynaphthalene.
Sample No. |
Nature of sample |
NO2-, mg/L determined |
NO3-, mg/L determined |
||
|
|
Proposed method |
Standard method** |
Proposed method |
Standard method*** |
W-1 |
Well water |
3.65 |
3.6 |
25 |
24 |
W-3 |
Pond water-l |
0.21 |
0.2 |
4 |
4.1 |
W-4 |
Bore-well water |
0.1 |
0.09 |
5 |
4.8 |
W-5 |
Sewage water |
ND* |
ND* |
190 |
187 |
W-6 |
Canal water-ll |
ND* |
ND* |
23 |
22 |
W-7 |
Pond water-ll |
ND* |
ND* |
20 |
20 |
W-8 |
Effluent-l |
ND* |
ND* |
76 |
75 |
W-9 |
Effluent-ll |
ND* |
ND* |
12 |
13 |
ND*- Not detected, **Sulphanilamide-NED, ***Chromotropic acid |
Table 1: Determination of nitrite and nitrate in water, waste water and effluent samples,n=5
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