One of the things that I need to keep reminding myself to do every day is to hydrate. Many of us do not drink enough water every day and, knowing how important this is, have resorted to filling oversized water bottles and keeping these near at hand as a visual reminder to keep drinking. Many of us are fortunate enough to have a readily available source of clean drinking water just a few steps away and give little thought to the effort that has gone into getting it there.
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Accurate, dependable inorganic anion monitoring crucial
The presence of inorganic anions such as fluoride, chloride, nitrite, nitrate, and sulfate in water can have significant health implications if their levels exceed established limits, which are enforced by regulations such as those set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (US EPA) Clean Water Act and the European Union’s Drinking Water Directive. It is clear that the need for accurate, dependable, and efficient monitoring techniques is crucial. One of the essential tools available to drinking water providers to ensure their product safety is ion chromatography (IC). It allows for the accurate determination of potentially harmful ionic compounds using established methods that have been used for compliance monitoring since the 1980s.
More reliable, easier ion analysis
With the recent introduction of the Thermo Scientific Dionex Inuvion Ion Chromatography (IC) system, the analysis of ions in water has become more reliable and easier than ever before. It is an integrated, compact IC system that offers fast, simple, and cost-effective solutions for everyday analyses. Its effectiveness is demonstrated in several application proof notes. Using a high-efficiency, 4 µm particle column set (Thermo Scientific Dionex IonPac AS22-Fast-4µm column), seven common inorganic anions were separated in under five minutes using carbonate eluent and chemical suppression (AP002340).1 For additional ease of use, electrolytic suppression can be utilized, which eliminates the need to manually prepare regenerant (AP002335).2 Treatment of water with disinfectants such as chlorine, is a critical component of the purification process. While they effectively kill harmful microorganisms, toxic disinfection byproducts (DBPs), such as chlorite and bromate, can also be produced. Fortunately, these can be determined to parts per billion (ppb; µg/L) levels using the Thermo Scientific Dionex IonPac AS23-4µm column set with carbonate eluent that is able to elute inorganic anions and oxyhalides, including sulfate, a strongly retained analyte, in less than 30 minutes (AP002342).3
Hexavalent chromium, perchlorate monitored in water
Another potential contaminant that can be present is hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)), a strong oxidizing, toxic, and potentially carcinogenic agent that is also subject to regulation, with California establishing a maximum contaminant level of 10 ppb that is set to take effect in October 2024.4 Using anion exchange chromatography with a post column reaction and visible light detection, ng/L Cr(VI) was determined in a municipal drinking water sample and a synthetic High Ionic Water (HIW) sample in concentrations that ranged from 10 ng/L to 200 ng/L (APN002416).5 Perchlorate, another potential toxin routinely monitored, is a propellent used in rockets and fireworks that can contaminate ground, surface, and drinking waters. Using the Thermo Scientific Dionex IonPac AS16-4µm column, with eluent generation, and suppressed conductivity, low µg/L concentrations of perchlorate were determined in under 12 minutes, even in higher salt (1,000 mg/L) samples, demonstrating the robustness and sensitivity of this method (APN002316).6
The combination of the Dionex Inuvion IC system and an extensive portfolio of Dionex IonPac column chemistries in several formats delivers results with speed, accuracy, and ease, making it a powerful tool for protecting both human health and the environment. As we continue to face the challenges of pollution and environmental degradation, such technologies will be more important than ever. By harnessing the power of IC, we can ensure that our water remains clean, safe, and life-sustaining. I’ll drink to that.
- Fast determination of anions in municipal drinking water using a compact ion chromatography system with a chemically regenerated suppressor, Hua Yang, Jeffrey Rohrer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, AP002340, 2023.
- Municipal drinking water analysis by fast IC, Hua Yang, Jeffrey Rohrer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, AP002335, 2023.
- Determination of trace concentrations of oxyhalides and bromide in municipal and bottled waters, Hua Yang, Jeffrey Rohrer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, AP002342, 2023.
- State Water Resources Control Board Resolution NO. 2024-0015: Adopting a Maximum Contaminant Level for Hexavalent Chromium and Certifying Final Environmental Impact Report. Draft Resolution No. 2024-0015 (ca.gov)
- Sensitive determinations of hexavalent chromium in drinking water using a compact IC system, Terri Christison, Jeffrey Rohrer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, AP002416, 2023.
- Determination of perchlorate in drinking water using a compact RFIC ion chromatography system, Yukiko Kawahara, Jeffrey Rohrer, Thermo Fisher Scientific, AP002316, 2023.
Related information
- Blog: Safeguarding Our Water: Another Step Forward in the Battle Against Hexavalent Chromium
- Blog: Driving Innovation: Exploring the Parallels Between Electric Cars and Cutting-Edge Ion Chromatography Systems
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