Automated separation and conductimetric determination of inorganic nitrogen

Experiments were conducted for the evaluation of a continuous flow conducti metric method that measures the inorganic nitrogen compounds ammonia (NH3) and combined nitrite (NO2-) and nitrate (NO3-). Approximately 300 analyses were performed using the method during experiments to estimate the method d etection level, to determine the bias and precision, and to determine the e quivalency of the method to others found in Standard Methods. An estimated method detection level of 0.01 mg N/L (NH3-N, NO3--N, or NO2--N) was measur ed. Precision values for ammonia and nitrate standards at concentrations ra nging from 0.1 to 75 mg/L NH3-N or NO3--N did not exceed 5.5 and 4%, respec tively Recovery values for ammonia and nitrate standards at the same concen tration range did not exceed 104.8 and 103%, respectively. At concentration s of 0.05 mg/L NH3-N or NO3--N, the precision values were 12.5 and 11%, res pectively which were high relative to others obtained in this study but are within the range of values reported in Standard Methods.