Determination of sulphide in effluent streams using a solid-phase lead(II) chromate reactor incorporated into a flow-injection system

Abstract The determination of sulphide in waste water (effluent) from a dairy farm, using a solid-phase reactor incorporated into a flow-injection system, was investigated. The reactor packing material consisted of PbCrO 4 suspended on alumina, and the chromate ions were released into the carrier stream when PbS, which is less soluble than PbCrO 4 , was formed. The chromate ions were detected spectrophotometrically at 370 nm. The linear response range of the method was between 10 and 50 mg l −1 , with a detection limit of 3.7 mg l −1 . The relative standard deviation was n =12 at 30 mg l −1  S 2− .