| Abstract: | Artificial nitrate solutions and a large number of membranefiltered nitrate-containing water samples from Mecklenburgian lakes and rivers were investigated in the spectral range of 200… 260 nm with a dual beam spectrophotometer. By the formation of derivative spectra there are achieved a higher spectral resolution and the elimination of undesired disturbing effects since first- and higher-order derivatives are formed. As it is known, the direct spectrophotometric nitrate determination is influenced by organic substances and some inorganic ions of natural waters. As a result, the UV derivative spectroscopy of 2nd order is recommended as a suitable technique of nitrate analysis for surface waters with a high degree of accuracy and precision – detailed reports on investigations being given. Compared with the equivalent salicylate method, however, the expenditure of the UV derivative spectroscopy described is considerably lower. |
