Spectrophotometric Determination of Cyanide in Passaic River Paterson New Jersey by Distillation and Colorimetric Method with Pyridine: Barbituric Acid Reagent

Purpose: This work determines the concentration of total cyanide in the Passaic River in the New Jersey Area. Methodology: The concentration of cyanide and the subsequent reaction of the product with a mixed solution of pyridine-barbituric acid to form a stable complex. Therefore, before chlorination of cyanide, all cyanide compounds present in sample must be broken down by an acid reflux and distillation. Findings: The cyanide concentration in the Passaic River sediment solution and non-running wastewater was determined by measuring absorbance at max 578 nm, and cyanide amount has been found less than 0.005 ppm under the NEPA permit compliance. Industrial facilities who discharge wastewater to public waterways in the United States, stringent limits on cyanide, typically with monthly average effluent limits set around 0.005 ppm or less. Unique contributor to theory, policy and practice: This method is applicable to the determination of cyanide in drinking, saline, groundwater, surface water as well as domestic and industrial wastewater.