Spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) in bacterial leach liquors using arsenazo-III

Abstract

A highly sensitive and precise spectrophotometric method for the direct determination of uranium(VI) in bacterial leach liquors, obtained by the action of Thiobacillus ferrooxidans and T. thiooxidans, from low-grade sandstone uranium ores, has been developed, Arsenazo-III formed an intense pink-violet complex at pH 2·0 ± 0·1, which showed maximum absorption at 655 nm. This method was found to obey Beer's law up to 6 μg cm−3, giving the values of molar absorptivity (ϵ) and Sandell sensitivity (S) as 4·6 × 104 mol−1 cm−1 and 0·0052 μg cm−2, respectively. Interference due to different metal ions, such as Al, Ca, Co, Cr, Fe, Mn, Mo, Zn and Zr, was successfully masked by diethylenetriaminepenta-acetic acid without inhibiting the formation of the uranium(VI)-arsenazo-III complex. This method was also found suitable for detecting low levels of uranium(VI) in mine waters, acid leach liquors and tailings liquids. The results obtained were found to be in close agreement with the values determined by fluoro-metric and indirect spectrophotometric methods.

Citing Literature

Volume52, Issue3

1991

Pages 331-341

Related Information Metrics Citations:18 Details Copyright © 1991 Society of Chemical Industry

Keywords spectrophotometric determination of uranium(VI) uranium(VI)- arsenazo-III complex bacterial leach liquors Thiobacillus ferrooxidans T. thiooxidans sandstone uranium ore Publication History Issue Online: 24 April 2007 Version of Record online: 24 April 2007 Manuscript accepted: 08 April 1991 Manuscript received: 12 February 1991

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