Direct current (DC) voltammetry and differential pulse (DP) voltammetry using a carbon paste electrode (CPE) have been used for the determination of trace amounts of ecotoxic 1,2-diaminoanthraquinone (DAAQ). The limit of determination (L(D)) of DAAQ for DC voltammetry was 2 x 10(-6) mol l(-1), and for DP voltammetry 2 x 10(-7) mol l(-1) under the optimized conditions in a mixed Britton-Robinson buffer pH 12 and methanol (1:9) medium.
Adsorptive accummulation of the analyte on the surface of CPE decreased the limit of determination to 2 x 10(-8) mol l(-1) for DP voltammetry. Practical applicability of these newly developed methods was verified on model samples of river water.