The Fertilisers (Sampling and Analysis) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1991

13a. DETERMINATION OF TOTAL MAGNESIUM -ATOMIC ABSORPTION SPECTROPHOTOMETRIC METHOD

1.  SCOPE

This method is for the determination of total magnesium.

2.    FIELD OF APPLICATION

Exclusively to the fertiliser magnesium ammonium nitrate in Group 1(a) of Section A of the Table in Schedule 1 of the Fertilisers Regulations (Northern Ireland) 1990(1) in respect of which the declaration of total magnesium is required.

3.    PRINCIPLE

Solution of magnesium by boiling the test sample in dilute acid and determination by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.

4.    REAGENT

Hydrochloric acid solution 50% (V/V): dilute an appropriate volume of hydrochloric acid (d = 1.18 g/ml) with an equal volume of water.

Hydrochloric acid, N solution (approximately).

Hydrochloric acid, 0.5 N solution.

Magnesium solution: dissolve 1 ,013 g magnesium sulphate (MgSO₄.7H₂O) in 0.5 N hydrochloric acid solution (4,3) and dilute to 100 ml with this acid.

1 ml of this solution contains 1 mg of magnesium (Mg).

or

weigh out 1658 g of magnesium oxide, previously calcined at 600°C for 2 hours, place in a beaker with 100 ml of water and 120 ml of approximately N hydrochloric acid (4.2). After dissolution, transfer quantitatively into a one litre graduated flask, make up the volume with water and mix.

1 ml of this solution contains 1 mg of magnesium (Mg).

Strontium chloride solution: dissolve 75 g strontium chloride (SrCl₂.6H₂O) in 0.5 N hydrochloric acid solution (4.3) and dilute to 500 ml with this acid.

5.    APPARATUS

Atomic absorption spectrophotometer with a magnesium lamp (285.2 nm).

6.    PREPARATION OF SAMPLE

See Method 1.

7.    PROCEDURE

Extraction

7.1  Weigh to the nearest 0.001 g, 5 g of the prepared sample and place in a 500 ml graduated flask. Add about 200 ml water, 20 ml hydrochloric acid solution (4.1) and boil for half an hour. Allow to cool, dilute to the mark with water, mix and filter.

Preparation of the sample solution

7.2—7.2.1 If the fertiliser has a declared magnesium oxide (MgO) content greater than 10%, transfer by pipette 25 ml of the filtrate (7.1) into a 100 ml graduated flask, make up to the mark with water and mix.

7.2.2 Transfer by pipette 10 ml of the filtrate (7.1) or the diluted filtrate (7.2.1), into a 200 ml graduated flask and make up to the mark with 0.5 N hydrochloric acid solution (4.3).

7.2.3 Dilute solution (7.2.2) with 0.5 N hydrochloric acid solution (4.3) to a concentration within the working range of the spectrophotometer. The final solution must contain 10% V/V strontium chloride solution (4.5).

Blank solution

7.3  Prepare a blank solution from which only the sample has been omitted.

Standard solutions for calibration

7.4  By diluting the standard solution (4.4) with 0.5 N hydrochloric acid solution (4.3), prepare at least 5 standard solutions of increasing concentration corresponding to the optimal measuring range of the spectrophotometer. The final solutions must contain 10% V/V of the strontium chloride solution (4.5).

Measurement

7.5  Set up the spectrophotometer (5.1), at a wavelength of 285.2 nm using an oxidising air-acetylene flame. Spray successively, in triplicate, the standard solutions (7.4), the sample solution (7.2) and the blank solution (7.3), washing the instrument through with distilled water between each spraying. Plot the calibration curve using the mean absorbances as the ordinates and the corresponding concentrations of magnesium in μg/ml as the abscissae. Determine the concentration of magnesium in the sample and blank by reference to the calibration curve.

8.    EXPRESSION OF THE RESULTS

Calculate the quantity of magnesium (Mg) or magnesium oxide (MgO) (conversion factor Mg to MgO = 1.66) in the sample, taking into consideration the blank. Express the result as a percentage of the sample.

(1)

S.R. 1990 No. 286