Fluorimetric determination of bromate by ion-exchange separation and post-column derivatization

For the determination of bromate in drinking water a stopped-flow post-column reaction was developed following the separation of bromate from the matrix by an anion-exchange column. In the post-column reaction the analyte was used to oxidize the azo dye sulfonaphtholazoresorcinol, SNAR, and the residual amount was converted into a fluorescent binuclear complex by an excess of gallium ions. The fluorescence was monitored at 585 nm, with a maximum excitation wavelength at 521 nm. The determination of bromate is based on the decrease of the fluorescence intensity with increasing bromate concentration. The given hydrodynamic parameters and the condition of equal flow rates of the two branch streams at each T-piece have to be considered as an important criterion for the experimental set-up. The volume flows and the concentrations required for the reagent solutions in the influent of each T-piece were determined as a result of batch experiments and theoretical considerations. The limit of detection was 0.28 g L^–1bromate for the flow method, which shows linearity up to 15 gL^–1 bromate.