Flow injection analysis of iron in rain water with thiocyanate and surfactant

This paper explains a new procedure for flow injection analysis (FIA) determination of iron in rain water based on the colour reaction of Fe(3+) with thiocyanate ions in the presence of the cationic surfactant cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC). The value of apparent molar absorptivity of the complex in terms of iron is (2.00) x 10(4) l mole(-1) cm(-1) at an absorption maximum of 490 nm. The detection limit of the method is 8 ppb Fe. The sample throughput is 90 samples/h at a flow rate of 4.0 ml/min. The reaction mechanism, optimization of FIA variables, and effect of various types of surfactant are described. None of the tested anions and cations interfered with the determination of iron. The method was used for the quantification and flux determination of iron in rain water.