Determination of uranium(VI), iron(II), and iron(III) in multicomponent aqueous solutions using a network of chemical sensors

Low concentrations of U(VI), Fe(II), and Fe(III), which are of interest in analysis of subsoil and mine waters, were determined by a new multi:sensor system of the "electronic tongue" type based on a series of nonselective se nsors in combination with the computer treatment of their signals by patter n recognition methods, in particular, using the artificial neuron networks. The network involved 15 sensors, and the mathematical treatment was perfor med by the artificial neuron network with a reverse distribution of the err ors. The multisensor system provided determination of Fe(II) and Fe(III) in the 10(-7)-10(-4) M range with the average error of 20% and U(VI) in the 1 0(-6)-1.6 x 10(-5) M range with the average error of 30% in solution contai ning all these ions simultaneously and also calcium, magnesium, chloride, a nd sulfate ions. This multisensor system can be used in the development of automatic systems for monitoring of subsoil and mine waters.