Determination of sulfate in river water by flow injection analysis

Sulfate ion in river water is determined by flow injection analysis at a rate of 30 samples per hour; the sulfate contents are typically less than 30 ppm. The reagent solution contains dimethylsulfonazo-III, barium chloride, potassium nitrate and chloroacetate buffer in 70% ($\text{v}\text{v}$) ethanol, and is saturated with barium sulfate. The aqueous carrier stream is also saturated with barium sulfate. The sample is filtered and treated with Amberlite IR120-B cation-exchanger before injection into the carrier stream, and the decoloration of the barium—dimethylsulfonazo-III complex by sulfate is measured at 662 nm. The calibration graph is linear over the range 0–30 μg ml^-1 for sulfate in water.