By reading this application note, you will learn how to determine the magnesium content in water samples with a dedicated Merck Spectroquant® Test Kit using METTLER TOLEDO's EasyPlus UV/VIS spectrophotometers.
Why Is Magnesium Determination in Water Important?
Magnesium is the most common element in seawater. Its concentration in seawater is 1,300 mg/L, while river water contains nearly 4 mg/L of magnesium. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the permissible limit of magnesium in drinking water is 50 mg/L. Magnesium and other alkali metals are responsible for water hardness. Metal parts such as pipes and fixtures may corrode in the presence of water if the hardness of water is below 50 mg/L. Additionally, if magnesium is present in a high concentration in water, then it can react with the active ingredients of detergent or soap to form insoluble salts and thus affects the cleaning property of soap or detergent. Therefore, it is necessary to determine the magnesium content in water.
How Is Magnesium Content in Water Determined?
Magnesium in water samples can be determined using a Merck Spectroquant® Test Kit 1.00815 and METTLER TOLEDO's EasyPlus UV/VIS spectrophotometers. In this method, magnesium ions react with phthalein purple to form a violet dye in a neutral solution and its absorbance is determined at 565 nm to estimate its concentration.
This application note includes:
- Sample preparation and procedures
- Chemistry
- Solutions and chemicals
- Instruments and accessories
- Results and discussion
- Remarks
Download our free application note to learn more about determining the magnesium content of water samples using METTLER TOLEDO's EasyPlus UV/VIS spectrophotometers.