| Abstract: | It has been found that the measurement of NH4+ in extracts of marine sediments was influenced by factors which inhibit the indophenol colour development, and through gel chromatography, diffusion, dilution and internal standard assays, it was possible to determine the extent of this interference. The measurement of NH4+ in KCl extracts and porewater, using internal standards, indicated that colour development was inhibited 13% and 51%, respectively. Dilution of samples alleviated this inhibition, but more than five-fold dilution was necessary for some extracts. Diffusion of NH3, collection and measurement generally gave concentrations comparable with those derived from the use of internal standards. These data suggest that the indophenol reagents should be added to sufficient diluted sediment extracts or to diffusates from extracts, to prevent interference to the colour development of NH4+. |
