Effect of metal ions on the determination of polymer flocculants using triphenylmethane dyes

Transition and heavy metals interfere with the spectrophotometric determination of flocculants based on the formation of their ion associates with triphenylmethane dyes (TPM). The absorption band of metal complexes with these reagents overlaps the absorption band of the associates; moreover, metal ions enhance the absorption of the associate. The increase in sensitivity is accompanied by a decrease in repeatability; therefore, the detection limits of flocculants change insignificantly. In the determination of flocculants in water at a level of of 1 mg/L and above, these metals should be separated or masked in advance.