Determination of ammonia based on experimental design and Berthelot reaction.

Measurement of ammonia level is very important in environment. Therefore, in this study, we have tried to introduce a modified, accurate, fast, accessible and inexpensive method for measuring ammonia level. Herein, Berthelot method was modified and optimised based on experimental design. In order to find important factors and corresponding optimal conditions, factorial design and response surface methodology were employed. The result showed that hypochlorite and salicylate are the significant factors in the method. The presence of ammonia in the solutions was detected by examining the colour changes of the sample solution to green. A linear range of 1.0–30.0 mg L−1 with detection limit of 0.4 mg L−1 was obtained. Different real samples were analysed for ammonia successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]