Rapid determination of mono and dinitrophenols by DPP, in the presence of lead and cadmium and using concentrated CaCl2 electrolyte.

The contamination of drinking water and industrial wastewaters is a critical environmental problem. The nitrophenol, dinitrophenol, cadmium, and lead contaminants are classified as hazardous compounds. Their rapid determination may be obtained using differential pulse polarography with concentrated electrolyte. CaCl2, which is very soluble to levels exceeding 5 mol l(-1), allows separation of coalescent peaks at 0.1 mol l(-1). A systematic study undertaken from 0.1 to 5 mol l(-1) shows good separation of lead and cadmium from the organic compounds, and optimization of the electrolyte concentration according to the objective is described. Preconcentration of real samples is necessary because pollution levels are usually very low.