Determination of calcium in silicate rocks by potentiometric titration with ethyleneglycol-bis-(2-Aminoethylether)tetraacetic acid and a calcium-selective electrode

The method reported for the determination of calcium in silicate rocks involves titration with ethyleneglycol-bis(2-aminoethylether)tetraacetic acid (EGTA) to a potentiometric end-point. A Crytur calcium-selective electrode is used; the selectivity constants (K_ca,x) are less than 10^-3 for Mg, Ba, Sr, K and Na. The method can be used for calcium contents of 2% or higher (and exceptionally for lower contents), in the presence of up to 60% Mg, 33% AI, 17% Fe, 5% Ba, 5% Ti, and 2.5% Mn. Al, Fe and Ti are masked with sulphosalicylic acid, barium is precipitated as its sulphate, and manganese is bound as its cyanide complex. If the magnesium content is less than that of calcium, EDTA can be used as titrant, magnesium being masked with acetylacetone.