EPA-NERL: 354.1: Nitrite by Spectrophotometry

Summary
Analytes
Revision
Data and Sites

Official Method Name

Nitrogen, Nitrite (Spectrophotometric)

Current Revision

Issued 1971

Media

WATER

Instrumentation

Spectroscopy (Colorimetry; Photometry)

Method Subcategory

Inorganic

Method Source

EPA-NERL

Citation

Methods for the Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes (MCAWW) (EPA/600/4-79/020)

Brief Method Summary

The diazonium compound formed by diazotation of sulfanilamide by nitrite in water under acid conditions is coupled with N-(1-naphthyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride to produce a reddish-purple color which is read in a spectrophotometer.

Scope and Application

This method determines nitrite in drinking, surface and saline waters; domestic and industrial wastes.

Applicable Concentration Range

0.01 - 1.0 mg/L

Interferences

(A) Oxidants and Reductants: Oxidants and reductants affect nitrite concentrations.
(B) High alkalinity: Alkalinty > 600 mg/L will give low results due to a shift in pH.

Quality Control Requirements

None.

Sample Handling

Samples should be analyzed as soon as possible. They may be held for 24 to 48 hours if refrigerated at 4 degrees C.

Maximum Holding Time

48 hours (MCAWW, Table 1).

Relative Cost

Less than $50

Sample Preparation Methods

This method has 1 analyte associated with it.

Analyte	Detection Level	Bias	Precision	Pct False Positive	Pct False Negative	Spiking Level
Nitrite(14797-65-0) Nitrite Nitrite (as ion) Nitrite nitrogen Nitrite-N Nitrites Nitrogen, nitrite	0.010 mg/L	N/A	N/A

Precision Descriptor Notes:	Precision and accuracy data are not available.
Detection Level Note:

Revision	PDF/Link
Issued 1971

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EPA-NERL: 354.1: Nitrite by Spectrophotometry

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