Determining inorganic disinfection by-products by ion chromatography

A column was developed which not only separated chlorate ions from nitrate ions but also could determine other common anions. A method is described using an ion chromatography with suppressed conductivity detection to determine chlorate, chlorite, and bromate in drinking water and reagent water. The optimal flow rate for time of run and separation was 1 ml per litre. Using this method, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, o-phosphate and sulphate could be determined in the same run. If iodate was present, neither fluoride nor iodate could be determined in the same run. If iodate was present, neither fluoride nor iodate could be determined using conductivity. UV detection would be needed.