Selection of single- or dual-wavelength spectrophotometry for analysing environmental samples

Abstract

A new standpoint of the selection of the single- or dual-wavelength spectrophotometric method has been developed for the determination of trace metals in environmental samples, which emphasizes the fact that the ratio of a corrected absorbance (–βΔA′) to its correction absorbance (A_β) is more than 10% for a chromogenic reaction with a metal and a colorant. Up-to-date beta-correction spectrophotometry must be used, otherwise the analytical sensitivity, precision and accuracy will all be too low to satisfy the requirements of the analysis of environmental samples.