ELEMENTS IN THE INTERPRETATION OF PLATINUM-ELECTRODE POTENTIALS IN BIOLOGICAL TREATMENT

The zero current potential of a platinum electrode in a biological medium (wastewater, activated sludge) is strongly dependent on the surface characteristics of the metal. It is also influenced by pH (probably Pt/PtO system), dissolved oxygen (O2/OH- system), and ionic forms of nitrogen (NO2-/NH4 + and NO3-/NO2- systems). The experimental values of the coefficients relating the stabilized potential of a platinum electrode to the logarithm of the concentration of the elements under consideration (Nernst equations) are significantly different from the thermodynamic coefficients corresponding to each reaction. The platinum is thus not in equilibrium with the dissolved redox reactants and is likely subject to mixed potentials in which the adsorbed components play an important role.