Coulometric Determination of Total Cyanide in Effluent and Wastewater

Abstract

A simple procedure for the determination of low levels of total cyanide in effluent samples has been developed. After distillation of the cyanide from the sample, as hydrocyanic acid, the cyanide is determined with coulometrically generated iodine using a biamperometric end point detection system. As little as 0.06mg/l total cyanide can be measured using the procedure. The method obviates the need for calibration curves and does not require special reagents.

Silver (I) was determined to be an effective catalyst for the decomposition of bound cyanides in the distillation procedure.

Key Words:

• total cyanide
• constant current coulometry