Determination of nitrite and bromate in disinfected water samples at the low μg/L level by means of a high-capacity anion exchanger

Bromate and nitrite are formed during the disinfection of water. The German threshold value for nitrite in drinking water is 100 μg/L, for bromate a limit below 50 μg/L has to be established. A self-made high-capacity resin with 2-(dimethylamino)-ethanol functionality in combination with a UV-transparent elution system based on perchloric acid allows the separation and sensitive photometric detection of nitrite and bromate, even if high chloride concentrations are present. The high capacity of the strongly basic resin allows sample volumes of up to 400 μL without disturbance of the separation. Detection limits for bromate and nitrite are 15 and 10 μg/L, respectively. The direct analysis of water samples with high salt contents, such as disinfected pool water, is possible by insertion of an on-line chloride removal step. Received: 30 September 1996 / Revised: 20 December 1996 / Accepted: 28 December 1996