Abstract
A simple and efficient method for the determination of boron species in aqueous samples is presented based on the optical behaviour of the pyridoxine or boron-pyridoxine complex. The boron concentration in the sample is proportional to the absorption intensity of the boron-pyridoxine complex, and is inversely proportional to that of free pyridoxine. The calibration plot is linear in the range of 0-8mgL(-1) boron element within a pH 5.72-9.30 range. The method was developed for freshwaters, but is also applicable to seawater without significant interference from other commonly occurring ions in water such as Na+, K+, Cl-, Zn2+, Mn2+, Co2+, Ni2+, NO3-, and SO42-. This simple and rapid method is suitable for incorporation into an online analyser, which will be of great significance to the water treatment industry.