A comparison of spectrophotometric methods for the determination of uranium

Abstract

Some spectrometric and extraction photometric methods for the determination of uranium were compared using pure solutions, a model sample and samples of surface waters and waste waters; the characteristics examined included sensitivity, accuracy, repeatability, time demands and tediousness. Among the most sensitive methods are those based on the use of triphenylmethane dyes in the presence of surfactants; uranium is separated from associate ions by extraction into tri-n-octylamine in an organic solvent and subsequently re-extracted into an aqueous phase. The results compare well with those attained by using methods given in the Czechoslovak State Standard and in the standard of the Czechoslovak Uranium Industry corporation.