Pulse polarographic trace determination of bismuth in natural waters and biological materials

A convenient and accurate analytical procedure has been developed for the trace determination of bismuth(III) in natural waters and biological fluids. Bismuth gives a well-defined, diffusion-controlled cathodic wave in 1 M HCl with a half wave potential of -0.21 V with reference to a saturated calomel electrode. Trace amounts of Bi(III) have been determined by normal pulse and differential pulse polarographic techniques in a 1 M HCl supporting electrolyte with linear calibration plots. The determination of Bi(III) has been achieved in the presence of metals with which it is commonly associated. This is illustrated with bismuth measurements in the presence of copper and zinc. Suitable methods of preparing the samples for analysis have also been suggested. The method may also be used for the determination of Bi(III) in different natural water samples and biological materials such as blood and urine samples with lowest detection limit of 0.02 microgram/L.