University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Determination of cyanide ion in natural waters with a selective ion electrode

Rands, D.G.; Bain, R.L.

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/90370

Description

Title
Determination of cyanide ion in natural waters with a selective ion electrode
Author(s)
  • Rands, D.G.
  • Bain, R.L.
Contributor(s)
Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville
Issue Date
1979-10
Keyword(s)
  • Water resource development--Illinois
  • Water resource development
  • Water quality
  • Cyanides
  • Water analysis
  • Iron cyanides
  • Cyanide electrode
  • Free cyanide
  • Ion electrodes
Geographic Coverage
Illinois (state)
Abstract
The analysis of cyanide ion in natural water systems is complicated by the fact that natural waters contain certain metal ions which form extremely stable metal-cyano complexes. Current methods involve distillation techniques to separate cyanide from the sample in order to permit the analysis. However, certain metal-cyano complexes are so stable thermodynamically and release complexed cyanide so slowly that even those methods are not very satisfactory. We have investigated an approach to secure the release of cyanide ion in the water sample so that a direct measurement with a selective ion electrode can be used. The proposed technique is based upon the addition of an organic ligand to the sample which will form a metal complex sufficiently stable to release a quantitative amount of cyanide from metal­cyano complexes. We have shown that the complexing agents investigated will release 60-80% of complexed cyanide during simultaneous reflux and irradiation by a mercury lamp. Evidently this represents a state of equilibrium between complexed ligand and cyanide. The complexing agents, therefore, do not form metal complexes sufficiently stable to free enough cyanide ion to permit an analysis for the total cyanide ion concentration.
Publisher
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Water Resources Center
Type of Resource
text
Language
en
Permalink
http://hdl.handle.net/2142/90370
Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)
  • U.S. Department of the Interior
  • U.S. Geological Survey
Copyright and License Information
Copyright 1979 held by D.G. Rands R.L. Bain

Owning Collections

Illinois Water Resources Center - Water Quality PRIMARY