On-line separation and determination of bromate in drinking waters using flow injection ICP mass spectrometry

A flow injection (FI) system with a microcolumn of anion exchanger has been used to effect rapid on-line separation of bromate and bromide prior to qu antitation by ICP mass spectrometry. Basic performance studies are describe d including the effect of key Fl parameters, i.e., sample injection volume, carrier stream now rate, and eluent concentration on system response. The new approach permitted ultratrace determinations of bromate in drinking wat ers, the main benefits being low limit of detection (0.13 mug/L based on a 500-muL sample injection), rapid analysis time (10 min/sample), and good pr ecision (2.8% at the 5 mug/L level). Accuracy was checked via an EC-sponsor ed interlaboratory trial.