Methods for the determination of boron in environmental samples are summarized in Table 6-2
Boron is readily measured in multielement analyses of air, water, and solid waste samples by inductively coupled plasma (ICP) atomic emission spectroscopy, the method of choice for the determination of boron in modern practice. Although not multielement procedures, colorimetric cucumin and colorimetric carmine methods are still reliable methods for the determination of boron in water, air and solid waste samples. These colorimetric procedures provide adequate methods when ICP instrumentation is not available.
TABLE 6-1. Analytical Methods Boron in Biological Materials
Sample
Sample Preparation Analytical detection Percent matrix method method limit recovery Reference
Blood and uri ne
B1 ood
Serum (borate) B1 ood
Ashed, dissolved in HC1
Ashed by oxygen i n a Parr bomb, dissolved Deproteinized, allowed to react wi th reagent Ashed, dissolved
Biological Acid digestion materi ala
Colori metri c carmine method colori metri c carmine method Electrophoresi s
ICP/AES
5|mg/100g bl ood
uri ne
>endogenous are <20 mg/L No data
No data
92%-104% No data No data
Imbus et al. 1963
Hill and Smith 1959 Baselt 1988
EPA 1986a aThis method is for water, sediments, and wastes.
^Method detection limit. Actual detection limits for boron in waste samples may be considerably higher. ICP/AES = inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy; HCI = hydrochloric acid; SA = atomic spectrographic analysis.
TABLE 6-2. Analytical Methods for Determining Boron in Environmental Samples
Sample
Analytical detection Percent
Sample matrix Preparation method method limit recovery Reference
Al r
Alr for boron carbi de
Water
Water
Water collection on filter, workup In acid Collection on filter, ashed, suspended In 2-propanol, redeposlted on silver membrane filter Direct analysis
Ash, dissolve In acid
Acidify, Inject Direct analysis
Filter, acidify
Sediments, solid Acid digestion
ICP/AES
x-ray powder dlffractlon
Colorlmetrlc curcumin Colorlmetrlc carmine ICP/AES Colorlmetrlc curcumin ICP/AES asplrati on ICP/AES
1 mg per sample 0.05 mg
103%
NIOSH 1984
2 mg m m m m recovery
No data NIOSH 1985a
23% RSD APHA 1985a
36% RSD
APHA 1985b
No data APHA 1985°
23% RSD EPA 1983
No data EPA 1982
No data EPA 1986a wastes, sludges
Method detection limit. Actual detection limits for boron In waste samples may be 1-3 orders of magnitude higher. ICP/AES = Inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy: RSD = relative standard deviation
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