Direct determination of labile monomeric aluminum in natural waters by AC oscillopolarography in the presence of rubeanic acid

A simple and sensitive electrochemical method for the direct determination of labile (monomeric inorganic Al speciation) Al concentration in natural waters is developed in this paper. It is based on the use of a.c. oscillopolarography in the presence of rubeanic acid (RA). The optimal experimental conditions are: 1 mol/L NaAc-HAc buffer (pH 5.4) and a RA concentration of 6x10(-4) mol/L. The response is linear over the 2x10(-7) to 2x10(-6) mol/L concentration range. The detection limit is 1x10(-7) mol/L and the relative standard deviation (at the 1.2 x 10(-6) mol/L level) is 5.5%. The method has been applied to the direct determination of labile monomeric Al concentrations in various natural samples. The results were verified by the classic ion exchange method.