
1200 COLORIMETER
IRON
MODEL 1200-FE · 3681-01
QUANTITY CONTENTS CODE
2 x 15 mL *Acid Phenanthroline Indicator *2776-E
2x5g *IronReducingReagent *2777-C
1 Colorimeter Tubes, with caps, set of 6 0290-6
1 Spoon, 0.1 g, plastic 0699
1 Water Sample Collecting Bottle 0688
1 1200 Colorimeter for Iron 26738
*WARNING: Reagents marked with a * are considered to be potential health hazards. To view
or print a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for these reagents see MSDS CD or
www.lamotte.com. To obtain a printed copy, contact LaMotte by email, phone or fax.
To order individual reagents or test kit components, use the specified code number.
INTRODUCTION
Most natural waters contain some iron. The concentration may vary from small traces to
very large amounts in water which is contaminated by acid mine wastes. For domestic
use, the concentration should not exceed 0.2 ppm and for some industrial applications
not even a trace of iron can be tolerated. There are many means available for removing
or reducing the iron content. Water softening resins are effective for removing small
amounts of iron and special ion exchange materials are selective for iron removal. High
concentrations of iron can be removed by such chemical processes as oxidation and lime
or lime-soda softening. Because of the many means of removing or reducing the amount
of iron in water, the particular method employed will depend largely on the form of iron
which is present and the end use of the treated water .
1

IRON TEST PROCEDURE - 1,10 PHENANTHROLINE METHOD
Read the 1200 Colorimeter Manual before proceeding. Carefully
wipe tubes dry before inserting into the colorimeter chamber.
IRON
2
Fill the Water
Sample Collecting
Bottle (0688) with
sample water . This
will be used to
dispense sample
water for the tests.
Insert the tube
into the
chamber , being
sure to align the
index line with
the arrow on
the meter .
Close the lid.
This tube is the
blankorzero.
Rinse and fill a
colorimeter tube
(0290) to the 10
mL line with
sample water .
Cap and wipe
dry .
5.
3.
1. 2.
4.
6.
I200 COLORIMETER
••••••••••••••••••
READ
bla
ZERO
Cap and invert the
tube 15 times to
mix.
Push the
button to turn the
meter on. Press the
button
andholditfor2
seconds until is
displayed. Release
the button to take a
zero reading
(0.00 ppm).
READ
ZERO
bla
Remove tube from
colorimeter . Use the
0.1 g spoon (0699) to
add one measure of
*Iron Reducing
Reagent (2777).
8.
7.
Remove the cap and
add 6 drops of *Acid
Phenanthroline
Indicator (2776).
Cap and invert the
tube 3 times to mix
reagents.
L
Mott

If the reading displays Er2, repeat procedure on diluted sample, and multiply the result
by the appropriate dilution factor. See 1200 Colorimeter Instruction Manual for
procedure.
3
9. 10.
W ait 5 minutes for full
color development.
Solution will turn orange
if iron is present.
Wipe tube dry .
11.
Align the index line with the
arrow on the meter, insert
CAL
I200COLORIMETER
••••••••••••••••••
READ
tube into chamber .
Close the lid. Push
the
button. Record
results as ppm Iron.
READ
5
MINUTES
L
Mott

IRON TEST METHOD SPECIFICATIONS
APPLICA TION
Drinking , surface, and saline waters; domestic and industrial wastes.
RANGE
0to4.0ppmIron
METHOD
Ferric iron is reduced to ferrous iron and subsequently forms a colored complex with
phenanthroline for a quantitative measure of total iron.
HANDLING & PRESERVATION
The sample container should be cleaned with acid and rinsed with deionized water.
Addition of acid to adjust the sample to pH 2 - 3 will prevent deposition of iron on the
container walls. Samples should be analyzed as soon as possible after collection since
ferrous iron undergoes oxidation to ferric iron.
INTERFERENCES
Strong oxidizing agents, cyanide, nitrite, phosphates, chromium, and zinc in
concentrations exceeding 10 times that of iron; cobalt and copper in excess of 5 mg/L,
and nickel in excess of 2 mg/L. Bismuth, cadmium, mercury, molybdate, and silver
precipitate phenanthroline.
LaMOTTE COMPANY
Helping People Solve Analytical Challenges
®
PO Box 329 • Chestertown • Maryland • 21620 • USA
800-344-3100 • 410-778-3100 (Outside U.S.A.) • Fax 410-778-6394
Visit us on the web at www.lamotte.com
63681-01 · 4/09