Separation and automatic spectrophotometric determination of low concentrations of cyanide in water

Abstract Semi-automatic methods are described for the routine determination of cyanide in water. Membrane diffusion and isothermal distillation are examined for the separation/concentration of cyanide; the isothermal distillation procedure is optimized for routine use. An air-segmented flow analyzer is used to quantify cyanide. Two classical spectrophotometric methods are adapted and compared. The method based on reaction with picric acid is applicable at cyanide concentrations exceeding 1 mg l −1 . A modified Aldridge method is far better for lower concentrations. Combination of isothermal distillation with the automatic version of the Aldridge method is suitable for the determination of cyanide in waters in the concentration range 0.01–10 mg l −1 . Interference by sulphide and sulphite and their removal are described.