Suitable indicators and an altered empirical equation for calculating the CO2 concentration in colorimetric determinations of photosynthetic rate

Cresol red was found to be the most suitable of the six colour pH indicators tested for the colorimetry of CO₂ concentration within the range of 100 to 2000 p.p.m. In the region near pH 8-2 (corresponding approximately to 300 p.p.m. CO₂)this indicator is most suitablein view of its low unit concentration, although somewhat greater differences in absorbancy can be found on changing pH by one unit if an approximately six-fold higher concentration of thymol blue is used. For higher concentrations of CO₂ (pH below 7-5) phenol red is most appropriate. Tropaeolin 000 and aurin (rosolic acid) are not suitable. It is more convenient in spectrophotometry and colorimetry using filters with narrow spectral ranges to apply any of the above indicators in the green-yellow-orange spectral region rather than in blue radiation. When the air to be measured is bubbled through a bicarbonate solution, an equilibrium between the CO₂ concentration in the air and pH value is established in less than 10 min for differences in CO₂ concentration from 100 to 400 p.p.m. Partial pressure of CO₂ and the experimentally established pH value are related by the altered equation: pH =α- 0-934 log P. The values of α at different temperatures were determined.