Rapid Analysis of Nitrate and Nitrite by Ion-Interaction Chromatography on a Monolithic Column

Abstract

Ion-interaction chromatography with direct conductivity detection has been used for analysis of nitrate and nitrite. Chromatographic separation was performed on a monolithic silica-based C18 column dynamically modified with tetrabutylammonium (TBA+). Using the optimized mobile phase, containing 2.0 mmol L−1 TBA+ and 0.8 mmol L−1 citrate (pH 6.0), delivered at a flow rate of 6.0 mL min−1, separation of five anions (chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, and sulfate) was achieved in only 40 s at a column temperature of 30 °C. The detection limits for nitrate and nitrite were 0.74 and 0.92 mg L−1, respectively. The relative standard deviation (RSD, n = 5) of the retention times of nitrate and nitrite was 0.1% and RSD of chromatographic peak areas were 0.4 and 0.2%, respectively. The method was successfully used for analysis of the anions in groundwater. Recovery of nitrate and nitrite was 99.1 and 105%, respectively.