Raman spectroscopy coupled to high-resolution continuum source flame molecular absorption spectrometry for sequential determination of nitrogen species in fertilizers

Raman spectroscopy (RS) was used to identify and quantify different nitrogen species in fertilizers. This is a fast and inexpensive method that requires no extensive sample preparation. Urea and nitrate were determined at 1000 and 1045 cm−1, respectively. Calibration plots obtained for these analytes showed adequate linearity, with regression coefficients (r) of 0.9989 and 0.9976, respectively. Ammonium was determined by difference after total N determination by high-resolution continuum source flame molecular absorption spectrometry (HR-CS FMAS), which provided a calibration plot with r = 0.9960. The inline coupling of RS and HR-CS FMAS allowed for a fast sequential determination of ammonium, nitrate, and urea, with limits of detection of 0.03 mg/L ammonium, 0.03 mg/L nitrate, and 0.01 mg/L urea. Relative standard deviations were ≤ 11 %, and the external standard calibration method provided accurate results for all analytes determined in certified reference materials, raw materials, and commercial samples of fertilizers. For comparison purposes, all samples were also analyzed by traditional Kjeldahl method. The RS HR-CS FMAS method was further validated by addition and recovery experiments, which provided recoveries in the 93 – 113 % range.