WE CLAIM :
1. A method for measuring carbon dioxide in an aqueous stream, said method
comprising:
providing said aqueous stream, wherein any organic carbon in said aqueous stream has been oxidized therein;
providing a carbon dioxide measurement module comprising at least one platinum electrode therein;
contacting said aqueous stream with said platinum electrode;
applying a cathodic potential to said platinum electrode;
applying an anodic potential to said platinum electrode and measuring the amperometric response of said platinum electrode while maintaining contact of said platinum electrode with said aqueous stream; and
equating said amperometric response to a total organic carbon content of said aqueous stream.
2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said anodic potential is an anodic
potential sweep or an anodic potential step.
3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platinum electrode is platinized.
4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said platinum electrode is decorated with gold adatoms.
5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said organic carbon in said aqueous stream has been oxidized using at least one method selected from the group consisting of electrooxidation, chemical oxidation, UV-persulfate oxidation, thermal oxidation, and catalytic oxidation.
32

6. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein said method further comprises adding an electrolyte to said aqueous stream before applying said cathodic potential.
7. The method as claimed in claim 6, wherein said electrolyte is an acid.
8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein said acid is sulfuric acid.
9. A system for measuring carbon dioxide in an aqueous stream, said system comprising:
a memory; and
a processor operatively connected to said memory, said processor configured to:
receive inputs, said inputs comprising an amperometric response of an aqueous stream, wherein said amperometric response was generated by:
contacting said aqueous stream with said platinum electrode: applying a cathodic potential to said platinum electrode; and applying an anodic potential to said platinum electrode and measuring said amperometric response of said platinum electrode; use said inputs to calculate outputs, said outputs comprising a total organic carbon content of said aqueous stream; and store said outputs in said memory.
10. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said platinum electrode is platinized.
11. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said platinum electrode is decorated with gold adatoms.
12. The system as claimed in claim 9, wherein said inputs further comprise a background amperometric response.