SIMULTANEOUS ANALYSIS OF ANIONS AND CATIONS BY SINGLE-COLUMN ION CHROMATOGRAPHY

A new technique for the simultaneous analysis of anions and cations is described. The technique involves the use of the existing single column ion chromatography equipment with the addition of a switching valve. An anion and a cation column are used as the separator column. Three eluents are developed to allow simultaneous separation of anions and monovalent cations or anions and divalent cations. A simultaneous analysis of anions such as fluoride, chloride, nitrite, bromide, nitrate, phosphate, sulfate, and cations such as sodium, ammonium, potassium, rubidium, magnesium, calcium, and barium can be accomplished in approximately 20 to 30 min depending on the number of ions present in the sample. The detection limits for most ions are less than 500-mu-g/l.