Simultaneous determination of uranium(IV) and thorium(IV) ions with Arsenazo III by partial least squares method

A multivariate calibration method, Partial Least Squares Type 1 (PLS-1), is proposed for simultaneous spectrophotometric determination of uranium and thorium ions as their complexes with arsenazo III in hydrochloric acid medium. Several data characteristics are taking into account in order to minimize the optimum number of factors required for the construction of calibration model, while using various statistical criterions of selection. Finally, the evaluated calibration model is satisfactorily applied to determination of these ions in samples that resemble sulfuric acid leach solution obtained from a uranium ore.