Determination of chlorate, perchlorate, and chlorite ions in drinking water including bottled water

INTRODUCTION

Chlorination remains the most widespread way of disinfecting water in the world. Its flaws are: high toxicity of chlorine and other chlorinating reagents, also formation of various chlorine-containing compounds, including chlorite-, chlorate, and perchlorate anions. Maximum permitted levels (MPL) of these components are established in WHO Guidelines for drinking water and other regional and national regulations.

MEASUREMENT METHOD

The method is based on water test processing cation exchanger in the H-form, separation, identification and determination of mass concentration of chlorate, perchlorate, and chlorite ions by capillary electrophoresis. Identification and quantitative determination of the analyzed anions is performed by indirect detection measuring UV absorption at 254 or 266 nm wavelength.