NITRATE ION SELECTIVE ELECTRODE - Frederiksen

012–06616A Nitrate Ion Selective Electrode+30+70electrodepotential(mV)+110+150+190~56mV10-fold change+2300.1 1 10 100 1,000(ppm as NO 3)(ppm as N)0.11 10 100 1,00010 -6 10 -5 10 - 4 10 -3 10 -2-1NO 3concentration (M)Figure 3Typical nitrate electrode calibration curveä Note: A calibration curve is constructed on semi-logarithmic paper The measuredelectrode potential in (linear axis) is plotted against the standard concentration (log axis).In the linear region of the curve, only three standards are necessary to determine acalibration curve. In the non-linear region, additional points must be measured. The directmeasurement procedures given are for the linear portion of the curve. The non-linearportion of the curve requires the use of low level procedures.6. To a clean, dry 150 ml beaker, add 100 ml of the sample and 2 ml of ISA. Place the beaker on the magneticstirrer and begin stirring at a constant rate. Rinse the electrode tip with distilled water, blot dry, and lowerthe electrode tip into the solution. When the reading has stabilized, record the Voltage reading in the DigitsDisplay. Using the calibration curve, determine the sample concentration.7. The calibration should be checked every two hours. Assuming no change in ambient temperature, placethe electrode tip in the mid-range standard. After the reading has stabilized, compare it to the originalreading recorded in step 3 above. A reading differing by more than 0.5mV or a change in the ambienttemperature will necessitate the repetition of steps 2 - 6 above. A new calibration curve should beprepared daily.Low Level Nitrate MeasurementsThis procedure is recommended for solutions with ionic strengths less than l.0Xl0 -4 M. If the solution is high in ionicstrength, but low in nitrate, use the same procedure, but prepare a calibration solution with a composition similarto the sample.1. Using 20 ml of standard ISA, dilute to 100 ml with distilled water. This low level ISA [0.4 M (NH 4) 2SO 4]is added at the rate of 1 ml low level ISA to each 100 ml of sample. The background ionic strength willbe 4.0X l0 -3 M.10 -17