Voltammetric Analysis of Surface Active Substances in Natural Seawater

Abstract

The electrochemical method based on the measurement of capacitance (out of phase signal) at the hanging mercury drop electrode by using alternating-current voltammetry has been employed for the analysis of surface active substances in seawater. Such determination is of a collective parameter, i.e., all present adsorbable substances take part in adsorption on the electrode in a competitive manner. Calibration problems, sample treatment and comparison of naturally occurring surface active substances with different model substances are discussed.