The Fertilisers (Sampling and Analysis) Regulations 1991

PROCEDURE

Extraction

7.—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 and 20 ml hydrochloric acid (4.10) and boil for half an hour. Cool, make up to volume with water, mix and filter.

Control test

7.2 Carry out a determination on aliquot parts of solutions (4.1) and (4.3) such that the Ca/Mg ratio is equal to that expected from the sample. For this purpose take (a) ml of standard solution (4.3) and (b — a) ml standard solution (4.1), where (a) and (b) are the numbers of ml EDTA solution used in the two titrations when analysiing the sample. This procedure is correct only if the standard solutions of EDTA, calcium and magnesium are exactly equivalent. If this is not the case, it is necessary to make the appropriate corrections.

Determination

7.3.1 Titration in the presence of eriochrome black-T

7.3.1 Transfer by pipette 50 ml of the solution to be analysed into a 300 ml beaker. Neutralise the excess acid with the 5 N sodium hydroxide solution (4.11) using the pH meter (5.2). Dilute with water to 100 ml. Add 5 ml buffer solution (4.9). The pH measured by the meter must be 10.5±0.1. Add 2 ml potassium cyanide solution (4.7) and three drops eriochrome black-T indicator (4.6). Titrate with the EDTA solution (4.2), stirring gently with the stirrer (5.1). Let “b” be the number of ml of 0.05 molar EDTA solution.

• Note: For titration with eriochrome black-T, the titration must not exceed 25 ml of EDTA otherwise the volume of the aliquot part must be reduced.

7.3.2 Titration in the presence of calcein or of calcon carbonic acid

7.3.2 Place an aliquot part of the solution to be analysed equal to that taken for the above titration in a 300 ml beaker. Neutralise the excess acid with 5 N sodium hydroxide solution (4.11) using the pH meter (5.2).

• Dilute with water to about 100 ml. Add 10 ml potassium hydroxide—potassium cyanide solution (4.8) and the indicator (4.4) or (4.5). Stir gently and titrate with the EDTA solution. Let “a” be the number of ml of 0.05 molar EDTA solution.