EN ISO 14403-1:2012 PDF

Overview

EN ISO 14403-1:2012 (CEN endorsement of ISO 14403-1:2012) specifies a validated analytical procedure for the determination of total cyanide and free cyanide in water using flow injection analysis (FIA). It applies to a wide range of waters - ground, drinking, surface, leachate and waste waters - and covers concentrations from 2 µg/L to 500 µg/L (expressed as cyanide ions). A recommended operational range of 20 µg/L to 200 µg/L is described. The method can be adapted for seawater by adjusting sensitivity and reagent/calibration solutions to sample salinity.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope and sample types: Groundwater, drinking water, surface water, leachate, wastewater; seawater with adaptations.
• Analytical range: 2–500 µg/L (suitable working range 20–200 µg/L); range can be altered by dilution or injection volume changes.
• Method principle: Automated sample introduction into a flow manifold where reagents react with analytes; detection typically by a flow photometer. FIA integrates sample preparation and high-throughput analysis.
• Total vs. free cyanide:
  • Free cyanide = cyanide ions + weakly bound cyanide complexes that liberate HCN at pH 3.8.
  • Total cyanide includes stronger metal–cyanide complexes after UV/hydrolytic decomposition (except some complexes like gold, platinum where recovery can be partial).
• Decomposition and digestion: Complex-bound cyanide decomposed by UV-B irradiation (emission maximum >310–400 nm) at pH 3.8; digestion coil materials such as FEP or PTFE and thermoreactor assistance (≈85 °C) are described to prevent artefacts (e.g., avoiding UV