A comparative study of three methods for the determination of iodate in seawater

A comparative study of three methods for the determination of iodate-iodine in seawater is described. In one method the iodate is determined polarographically while in the others the iodate is determined colorimetrically as iodonium ions. In one of the colorimetric methods each sample is pre-treated with excess iodine-water in an attempt to eliminate suspected interference from naturally occurring reducing agents. The tests were conducted on a selection of open-ocean and near-shore waters with iodate concentrations ranging from 0 to 60 μg 1^?1-I. The tests indicated that the polarographic method and the colorimetric method without iodine-water give the more reliable measurement of iodate concentration. Also, the method with iodine water was found to be in error especially at low iodate concentrations. Reducing agents, if present, were found not to interfere significantly.