Determination of chlorate at low microgram/l levels by ion-chromatography with postcolumn reaction.

A new method for the determination of low concentrations of chlorate in natural waters is described. Chlorate is analyzed by ion-chromatography followed by an osmate-catalyzed postcolumn reaction of chlorate with iodide and UV-detection of triiodide. The new osmate catalysis allows to carry out the oxidation of iodide by chlorate at pH 3 instead of 6 M HCl for the uncatalyzed reaction. A detection limit of 5 nM (0.4 microgram/l) chlorate is achieved. The method also allows the simultaneous determination of chlorite, bromate, and nitrite at the low microgram/l level.