Seawater pH Measurements: an At-sea Comparison of Spectrophotometric and Potentiometric Methods

R. H. Byrne, G. Robert-Baldo, S. W. Thompson, C. T.A. Chen

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Spectrophotometric procedures utilizing sulfonephthalein indicators provide rapid, quantitative measurements of seawater pH. In a series of shipboard comparison, the average difference between our spectrophotometric and potentiometric pH measurements was 0.012 ± 0.010 + ph (spec., 20°C, free H + scale) - pH (potent., 25°C, NBS scale). The ±0.010 S.E. obtained in our at-sea comparison suggests that the imprecision associated with either type of measurement was <±0.010. Spectrophotometric procedures involving dissolved sulfonephthalein indicators appear well suited to in situ analysis of both pH and alkalinity.

Original languageAmerican English
JournalDeep Sea Research Part A. Oceanographic Research Papers
Volume35
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 1 1988

Disciplines

  • Life Sciences

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