Systematic Study of Several Causes and Effects Due to Absorbent Blanks in Determinations of One Analyte

A systematic study is performed about several factors involved in the measurements when a absorbent blank is used, as molar absorption coefficient of the formed complex, absorbance of the blank at the measured wavelength, and kind of spectrophotometer used (conventional double-beam or diode-array). It is proved that the usual methodology, measuring against reagent blank, produces less accurate measurements than those obtained against solvent blank. On the other hand, use of the H-Point standard additions method provides always equal or better results than the best ones obtained at single wavelengths by using measurements against solvent bank, at the maximum of the formed complex. To test the methodology, calcium determination with Arsenazo III, at basic pH, is studied at different peaks.