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HERO ID
3066357
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Comparison of Nessler, phenate, salicylate and ion selective electrode procedures for determination of total ammonia nitrogen in aquaculture
Author(s)
Zhou, Li; Boyd, CE
Year
2016
Is Peer Reviewed?
1
Journal
Aquaculture
ISSN:
0044-8486
EISSN:
1873-5622
Volume
450
Page Numbers
187-193
DOI
10.1016/j.aquaculture.2015.07.022
Web of Science Id
WOS:000364854000026
Abstract
An assessment was conducted to compare the precision and accuracy of Nessler, phenate, salicylate, and ammonia electrode procedures for total ammonia nitrogen (TAN) concentration determination in waters of aquaculture. Salicylate method was selected as a standard method for its high precision and accuracy. In replicate analyses of water samples for precision estimate, Nessler method usually gave higher mean concentration of TAN than other methods and it is not recommended for use for its high coefficient of variance. Results from Nessler's with Rochelle salt method were more accurate than Nessler without Rochelle salt method. Electrodes for sensing NH3 and NH4+ usually gave higher mean concentration of TAN than salicylate method. NH4+ electrode, although with high accuracy, was strongly affected by sodium and potassium and not recommended to use especially in waters of high salinity. The finding also suggested that the salicylate kit by using YSI photometer also was a preferable alternative to salicylate method while Nessler kit was not. TAN concentrations measured in 27 water samples by all methods were highly correlated (R-2 = 0.919 to 0.996) with salicylate method. All of the slopes except phenate I and II method were different from 1.0 (P < 0.05); all of the intercepts except phenate I and salicylate kit were different from 0.0 (P < 0.05). Statement of relevance: In this study, we evaluated the accuracy and precision of different possible ways of measuring TAN concentration at aquaculture facilities. These findings will be useful because producers need reliable measurement of TAN concentration to effectively manage ponds and other culture systems. The conclusions made in this manuscript provide valuable information when researchers and farmers need to measure TAN concentration. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Ammonia nitrogen; Salicylate; Phenate; Nessler; Ion selective electrode
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