Ion chromatographic determination of nitrogen dioxide in the atmosphere by using a triethanolamine-coated cartridge

Abstract

Nitrogen dioxide in air was sampled by the use of Sep-Pak C 18 cartridge impregnated with triethanolamine. The trapped nitrogen dioxide was determined as nitrite and nitrate ions by ion chromatography. In the active sampling mode, air could be sampled at 0.8/2-1.2 l/min through the cartridge. Nitrogen dioxide in an air sample was determined with a 2.7% relative standard deviation at a concentration of 84 ppb with an 87/2-94% recovery. In the passive sampling mode, the average NO 2 concentration was determined as nitrite with a 2.2/2-9.8% relative standard deviation at atmospheric levels for 7/2-42 days.