Book reviews

Abstract

The first of the above booklets contains four methods. Determination of alkalinity in the range 20-1 000 mg 1-1 as CaCO, by titration with standard acid to p H 8 . 3 and 4.5 using visual or instrumental end-point detection. Phenolphthalein is retained for the first end-point but a bromocresol greenmethyl red mixed indicator is recommended, after statistical evaluation of alternatives, for the pH 4.5 end-point. A continuous-flow automated method is also given that uses methyl orange as indicator. For alkalinities between 0.47 and 20 mg 1-1 as CaCO,, an instrumental method is given that involves titration with standard acid successively to p H 4.5 and 4.2 and determination of the true equivalence point using a Gran plot type procedure. A method for the determination of acidity in polluted waters and certain trade effluents is given in a fourth procedure, which involves titration with standard sodium hydroxide solution to p H 4.5 using instrumental end-point detection. A spectrophotometric method for hydrazine is described in the second booklet. The reagent used is p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde and the method is intended for the determination of 1.0-100 pg 1-1 of hydrazine in clean waters such as boiler water. As usual, both of these publications are extremely informative and well prepared and will be essential for routine water laboratories involved in the relevant determinations. J. M. OTTAWAY EDUCATION AND TEACHING IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY. By G. E . BAIULESCU, C. PATROESCU and R. A. CHALMERS. Ellis Hvvwood Sevies in Analytical Chemistry. Pp. 190. Ellis Horwood (distributed by J . Wiley). 1982. Price L15. ISUX 0 85312 384 5 (Ellis Horwood); ISBN 0 470 27283 X (Halsted Press).