Automated fluorometric method for determination of boron in waters, detergents and sewage effluents

Abstract

An automated method for the determination of boron in natural waters, detergents and sewage effluents is described. The method is based on the reaction of 4'-chloro-2-hydroxy-4-methoxybenzophenone (CHMB) with boron to produce fluorescent species, in a 90% sulfuric acid medium. The method has been made specific to remove any interferences from all major and minor ions and other organic compounds normally present in water. The method is capable of measuring different chemical forms of boron such as boric acid, borax, sodium perborate and tetraphenyl boron. The method analyses 10 samples per hour, in the 5–100 μg 1 −1 boron range. The rate of sample analysis can be increased to 20 per hour at higher concentration ranges. The limit of detection is 1 μg 1 −1 boron.