Determination of total chromium in environmental water samples

It is often desirable to quantify both dissolved Cr(VI) and total Cr in samples accurately. Various protocols are now being utilized to quantify the amount of total chromium in natural waters and each of these has possible interferences. This study describes the shortcomings of each method when particulate iron is present in a water sample, and a more rigorous digestion protocol is tested. Data from bench studies as well as a field survey of 21 water utilities are presented. Additionally, field data from several hundred water utility samples are presented to illustrate the potential for incomplete recovery of total chromium using accepted protocols.