The seven common inorganic anions often quantified simultaneously using ion chromatography (IC) include fluoride (F–), chloride (Cl–), bromide (Br–), nitrite (NO₂–), nitrate (NO3–), sulfate, i.e., sulphate (SO42-), and phosphate (PO43-), the latter which is separated as hydrogen phosphate (HPO42-) at the typical IC eluent pH around 11.
The US EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) has published method 300.0A, later updated to 300.1A, which thoroughly describes the analysis setup and requirements for reliable IC quantification of these seven anions in the mg/L (ppm) range in water samples using isocratic carbonate-bicarbonate eluents. This method is based entirely on suppressed conductivity detection, but nitrite and nitrate, and to some extent also bromide, could instead be determined using low UV absorption spectrometry at 210 nm.
The requirements of the EPA 300.1A method are met by several brand instruments, columns and eluents that successfully can accomplish baseline separation and sufficient sensitivity with low noise. However, the analysis will be more challenging and might require different columns and conditions when additional inorganic anions or organic acids are present in the sample, or when some anions are in abundant excess.
To learn more, browse the application examples below or contact Diduco to discuss your specific analysis.
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E-mail: tobias@diduco.com
Diduco is a leading provider of professional services in high performance liquid chromatography and manufacturer of the Xenoic® XAMS chemical suppressor and ASUREX automatic regenerator for ion chromatography.
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