Determination of nitrate in natural waters by voltammetry at a stationary mercury drop electrode

Nitrate can be determined by second-sweep cyclic voltammetry at a stationary mercury drop electrode utilizing the autocatalytic effect of the hydroxyl ions formed at the surface of the electrode during the reduction of nitrate in the presence of an excess of trivalent cations. The reduction current in the second sweep with the same drop is proportional to the nitrate concentration in the range 1–1500 μmol l^?1 in natural waters. The humic substances present in natural waters have a favourable effect on the determination of nitrate. The method is applied to the determination of nitrate in drinking and river waters.