Dichromate digestion and simultaneous colorimetry of microbial carbon and nitrogen

Dichromate digestion is used frequently for analysis of organic C and is followed by manual titration, We sought to automate C detection and to include N in the analysis. We optimized digestion parameters (duration, temperature, acids, and catalysts), compared detection methods [manual and automated titration, colorimetric absorbance of Cr(III) and Cr(VI) and automated colorimetry of Cr(VI)], adapted salicylate-indophenol colorimetry for N detection, and compared N digestion efficiency with Kjeldahl digestion. Optimal digestion conditions were 144 degrees C internal temperature for 3 h with 2:1 H2SO4/H3PO4 and Ag2SO4, Automated and manual titrations were reliable but the titrant (ferrous ammonium sulfate) precluded N detection. Colorimetric detection of Cr(VI) with s-diphenylcarbazide was fast and precise, but high blanks and steady decomposition of Cr(VI) necessitated several internal standards. Colorimetric analysis of N was possible after precipitating Ag and it was stable, precise, and accurate. Digestion recovery of yeast extract and soil extract N from birch (Betula papyrifera Marsh.), alder (Alnus tenuifolia Nutt,), and poplar (Populas balsamifera L,) stands was low compared with Kjeldahl N (82, 79, 88, and 78%), but precision of the two digestions was the same. The detection limits were 25 mu g C and 2 mu g N per digestion (125 mg C and 10 mg N kg(-1) dry soil). While this method is not suitable for work demanding high accuracy, automated C detection combined with N detection provides data acceptable for studies comparing Geld or laboratory soil treatments.