A Test Method for Determining Total Metals with an Indicator Paper and Its Performance Characteristics

A test procedure is proposed for determining total metals (Cd, Co, Cu, Fe, Hg, Ni, and Zn) using irregular 1-(2-carboxyphenyl)-5-(4-methyl-6-methoxypyrimidine-2-yl)formazan-6-cellulose as an indicator paper. Regions of unreliable color reactions were determined for each of the metals and total metals present in equal concentrations. Statistical processing showed that the Weibull distribution function best describes the experimental results in the unreliable reaction regions. Unreliable reaction was observed in the range (3.6–4.4) × 10–3 mg/L for the test procedure with preconcentration and in the range 1.7–3.4 mg/L for the procedure without preconcentration; the detection limits are 4.4 × 10–3 and 3.4 mg/L, respectively. A synergetic effect of the component mixture was observed in determining total metals. The visual, reflectometric, and atomic absorption determination of total Co, Cu, Fe, Ni, and Zn in natural and tap water was studied; it was shown that the results of test determination agree well with the data of other methods.