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Barium

Background

Barium is a metal, generally found in fresh water only in trace concentration. Concentrations above 1 mg/l in drinking water are considered to be toxic.

Laboratory analysis requires atomic absorption spectrometry or inductively coupled plasma techniques.

ChemScan Analysis Methods

The ChemScan analysis method uses a variation of the turbidimetric method for sulfate analysis. A chloride is added to the sample at low pH, forming barium sulfate. The resulting light absorbance at 420 nm is proportionate to the barium concentration, after compensation for the original color and turbidity in the sample.