Significant catalytic activity towards the reduction of nitrite at unmodifi
ed Cu - 30% Ni alloy electrodes was found within the concentration ranges 1
6 - 200 muM nitrite. The reduction of nitrite was found to occur at potenti
als significantly less negative than the reduction of nitrate thereby provi
ding clear resolution and the possibility of reliable nitrite/nitrate speci
ation. The results are contrasted with those found at a bare copper electro
de where the spatial resolution of the nitrate and nitrite reduction proces
ses is severely limited with significant overlap of the reduction processes
. The procedure represents an inexpensive and facile method far nitrite det
ermination in a number of applications.