Marine Science Faculty Publications
Impurities in Indicators Used for Spectrophotometric Seawater PH Measurements: Assessment and Remedies
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2007
Keywords
Spectrophotometric pH measurements, m-cresol purple, Sulfonephthalein indicator, Natural water pH
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2007.06.012
Abstract
Spectrophotometric pH measurements have been widely used in oceanic CO2−system research. However, impurities in indicator dyes from different manufacturers may cause uncertainty in measured pH values. In this work we report initial findings surrounding the potential significance of indicator sources (manufacturers) on pH measurements obtained with the sulfonephthalein indicator m-cresol purple. HPLC analyses were used for comparative assessments of impurities in m-cresol purple obtained from a range of manufacturers. Results indicate that m-cresol purple from different manufacturers, and perhaps from different batches of the same manufacturer, have different types and quantities of light-absorbing impurities. Impurities can contribute to pH offsets as large as 0.01 pH units. The pH offset caused by impurities decreases with decreasing sample pH. Indicators can be purified using preparative HPLC. Until purified indicators and refined indicator calibrations become available, we suggest that investigators should reserve some portion of each indicator batch for comparison with the properties of purified indicators.
Was this content written or created while at USF?
Yes
Citation / Publisher Attribution
Marine Chemistry, v. 107, issue 2, p. 167-172
Scholar Commons Citation
Yao, Wensheng; Liu, Xuewu; and Byrne, Robert H., "Impurities in Indicators Used for Spectrophotometric Seawater PH Measurements: Assessment and Remedies" (2007). Marine Science Faculty Publications. 1754.
https://digitalcommons.usf.edu/msc_facpub/1754
