DETERMINATION OF CARBONATE ION BY ION CHROMATOGRAPHY

Determination of carbonate ion by ion chromatography was investigated. The separation was performed on a TSKgel IC-Anion-PWXL (4.6 mm i.d.x3 5 mm) with boric acid-ethylenediamine buffer. The influence of the elu ent pH on the capacity factors of carbonate and some inorganic anions was studied. Buffer at pH 10.5 gave optimum separation of the ions in terms of resolution and analysis time. A linear calibration curve was obtained for carbonate ion in the range of 1 similar to 200 mg/l. As a result, this method may be useful for quantitation of carbonate ion i n variable samples like digests, bath salts and tap water.