Analytical Sciences

Colorimetric pH Measurement for Seawater Samples Using a Three Light-Emitting Diodes Detector and a Calibration Method for Temperature Dependence

Kei OKAMURA,* Hideshi KIMOTO,** Takuroh NOGUCHI,* Mayumi HATTA,* Hiroaki KAWAKAMI,*** and Takahiko SUZUE**

*Center for Advanced Marine Core Research, Kochi University, B200, Monobe, Nankoku, Kochi 783-8502, Japan
**Kimoto Electric Co., Ltd., 3-1 Funahashi, Tennoji, Osaka 543-0024, Japan
***Graduate School of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Kochi University, 2-5-1 Akebono, Kochi 780-8520, Japan

A colorimetric pH measurement of seawater samples using a light source comprising a three light-emitting diodes (TLED) detector and meta-cresol purple (mCP) as an indicator was investigated. The molar absorption ratios (e₁, e₂, and e₃/e₂) for mCP using the TLED detector at 25°C were determined to be 0, 1.9994, and 0.1010, respectively. Next, the pH values of 2-amino-2-hydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol (TRIS) and 2-aminopyride (AMP) seawater buffers were determined. Notably, the raw pH of TRIS buffer (∼8.1) agreed with the reference value, while that for the AMP buffer (∼6.8) had an error of +0.004 due to the small absorption ratio (R) and being out of the lower adequate pH range (> 7.2) for mCP. pH_T measurements obtained for seawater samples using the present colorimetric method agreed with those obtained using a glass electrode. These results demonstrate that this low-cost TLED detection system with a short cell length, 5 cm, can be used for seawater pH_T analysis.

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