Determination of iron in abandoned mine drainage by UV-Vis spectrophotometry and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry

摘要

This paper describes and compares the results obtained from determination of total iron in abandoned mine drainage (AMD) from selected sites in western Pennsylvania by UV-visible spectrophotometry (UV-Vis) and flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). As our laboratory possesses both methods, the accuracy and precision of iron results by UV-Vis, using iron (11) chelator 2,4,6-tripyridyl-,3,5-triazine (TPTZ), and FAAS are of interest in the event of instrument problems with either method. Calibration curves show excellent linearity (R-2 >= 0.990). The results show good accuracy (complete recovery of spiked iron) and precision (0.5-3.4% RSD by UV-Vis, 1.5-7.7% RSD by FAAS), indicating both methods are suitable for determination of iron in AMD. This comparison study is presented as a potential approach to teaching students about UV-Vis and FAAS and their advantages and disadvantages.