Determination of Cobalt in Fertilizers

Cobalt in fertilizers was determined by a colorimetric method using 2-nitroso-l-naphthol. With this method the fertilizer is digested with a ternary acid mixture; cobalt is then extracted from a suitable aliquot into isoamyl acetate at pH 8.5 with an excess of 2-nitroso-l-naphthol. Excess dye and interferences are removed by successive washes with acid and base. A limited number of collaborator analyses indicate that agreement of results is not as satisfactory as might be expected with the major fertilizer constituents. However, collaborator agreement compares favorably with other methods of analyses accepted by the AOAC for Co. While the procedure is considered tedious by some collaborators, it is believed to be less tedious and less subject to interferences than other colorimetric methods available.