Fluorimetric sequential injection determination of magnesium using 8-hydroxiquinoline-5-sulfonic acid in a micellar medium

A fluorimetric sequential injection method for the determination of magnesium is proposed. The system is based on the complex formation between Mg(II) and 8-hydroxyquinoline-5-sulfonic acid (HQS). The reaction was carried out in the presence of ethylene glycol-bis(β-aminoethyl ether)-N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid (EGTA) as a masking agent. Cetyltrimethylammonium chloride (HTAC) was employed as a fluorescence enhancer. The influence of several variables, such as reagent concentration, volumes and pH has been investigated. The reagent was prepared in a 0.1 M Tris–HCl buffer solution (pH 9). A detection limit of 12 μg l−1 magnesium was obtained. The proposed method was applied to the determination of magnesium in natural waters.