Determination of inorganic ions in drinking water by ion chromatography

Ion chromatography (IC) is now a well established methodology for the analysis of ionic species. The technique is applicable to the determination of a wide range of solutes in many sample types, although the determination of inorganic ions in drinking water continues to be the most widely used application of ion chromatography. Many regulatory and standard organizations, such as ASTM, AOAC, ISO, and US EPA, have approved methods of analysis based upon IC, most of which have been published within the last 10 years. Recent developments in the field of IC, such as the use of higher capacity columns, larger loop injections, more complex sample preparation and detection schemes, have been incorporated into new approved methods to allow the determination of inorganic contaminants, such as bromate, perchlorate, and chromate, at low μg/l levels in drinking waters. IC appears certain to remain an important technique for drinking water analysis and new methods based on IC will continue to be developed as more inorganic contaminants become regulated at lower limits in the future.