A new methodology for the rapid determination of chromium in tanning floats

A method for the determination of chromium in tanning floats is presented i n this paper. The new method is based on spectrophotometry and multivariate calibration. Its main characteristics are rapidity and the fact that only deionized water is used as reagent. The sample is first diluted and then th e visible spectrum is recorded. The spectrum is related to the chromium con centration in the sample through the use of a calibration function previous ly calculated by Partial Least Squares (PLS). The results obtained are comp arable to those obtained by the classical methodology in terms of accuracy (3.3%). Systematic errors are not detected at a 95% confidence level.