A differential pulse polarographic method for the determination of nitrate and nitrite was based upon the enhancement of the ytterbium peak current by both nitrate and nitrite. A detection limit of 14 ppb nitrate or nitrite nitrogen was achieved under ideal conditions. The method was adapted to the analysis of soils and natural waters following interference removal. A relative precision of less than 4% was routinely achieved for analysis of soil samples containing 10 ppm or more nitrate nitrogen. Simultaneous determination of both nitrate and nitrite was possible under certain conditions. Results obtained by this method were compared to results obtained by the nitrate ion-selective electrode method and the phenoldisulfonic acid spectrophotometric method.
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