Green Approaches to Field Nitrate Analysis: An Electroanalytical Perspective

Abstract

The different approaches that have been taken in the development of analytical methods for the determination of nitrate within the field are reviewed. The emphasis has been placed on providing a critical appraisal of the chemistry that underpins current commercial systems and the need to remove the dependence on heavy metal and concentrated acid components. The search for more environmentally acceptable and user friendly systems has long been pursued and the present communication seeks to explore the recent development in portable testing technologies and how they might evolve in the future. In particular, the role of electrochemical techniques in the latter are investigated and their potential application compared and contrasted with the more traditional wet chemical detection strategies.

Study of Cu, Cu-Ni and Rh-modified Cu porous layers as electrode materials for the electroanalysis of nitrate and nitrite ions

“…The study addresses mainly nitrate, because it is substantially more inert than nitrite [4][5][6] and, therefore, less easy to detect. Both neutral and basic media are considered because the former are the most likely to be found in the environment, and local alkalinization is expected at cathodes [5].…”

“…Although the most commonly used analytical methods for the determination of nitrates and nitrites are derived from the classical Griess test [1][2][3], implying derivatization followed by colorimetric analysis, electroanalytical procedures are also intensively investigated (for reviews, see [4][5][6]). …”

Determination of Nitrates in Water Samples by In‐Electrode Coulometric Titration in Copper Coated Porous Vitreous Carbon Electrode

“…Knowing the effective volume of the porous electrode, even calibrationless measurements would be feasible. Owing to the use of a single reagent and simple measurement for samples not having high chloride concentrations, the method may also be useful for field 42 and industrial applications such as process control.…”

Voltammetric determination of nitrate in water samples at copper modified bismuth bulk electrode

“…Lots of studies have proved that excessive NO À 3 can present both environmental and physiological problems [1,2]. Nitrate pollution in groundwater, rivers or lakes is now a common and increasing problem in numerous worldwide countries.…”