Methodology
Quantifying hydrogen peroxide in iron-containing solutions using leuco crystal violet
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* Corresponding author: Corey A Cohn ccohn@fulbrightweb.org
1 Department of Geosciences and Center for Environmental Molecular Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100
2 Department of Chemistry and Center for Environmental Molecular Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100
3 Department of Chemistry, Beury Hall 201, 1901 North 13th Street, Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19122 and Center for Environmental Molecular Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100
4 Department of Geosciences and Center for Environmental Molecular Science, Stony Brook University, Stony Brook, New York 11794-2100
Geochemical Transactions 2005, 6:47 doi:10.1186/1467-4866-6-47
Published: 14 June 2005Abstract
Hydrogen peroxide is present in many natural waters and wastewaters. In the presence of Fe(II), this species decomposes to form hydroxyl radicals, that are extremely reactive. Hence, in the presence of Fe(II), hydrogen peroxide is difficult to detect because of its short lifetime. Here, we show an expanded use of a hydrogen peroxide quantification technique using leuco crystal violet (LCV) for solutions of varying pH and iron concentration. In the presence of the biocatalyst peroxidase, LCV is oxidized by hydrogen peroxide, forming a colored crystal violet ion (CV+), which is stable for days. The LCV method uses standard equipment and allows for detection at the low microM concentration level. Results show strong pH dependence with maximum LCV oxidation at pH 4.23. By chelating dissolved Fe(II) with EDTA, hydrogen peroxide can be stabilized for analysis. Results are presented for hydrogen peroxide quantification in pyrite–water slurries. Pyrite–water slurries show surface area dependent generation of hydrogen peroxide only in the presence of EDTA, which chelates dissolved Fe(II). Given the stability of CV+, this method is particularly useful for field work that involves the detection of hydrogen peroxide.