Two Dimensional Ion Chromatography for the Determination of Total Phosphorus

Dionex (USA) is pleased to release Application Note 244 that demonstrates a simple, two-dimensional analytical technique for the analysis of total phosphorus. Application Note 244: Determination of Total Phosphorus Using Two-Dimensional Ion Chromatography uses an IonPac® AS11-HC column to separate phosphate from a large excess of sulfate.

The primary analysis methods prescribed by the U.S. EPA for the determination of phosphorus are colorimetric, using an autoanalyser or spectrophotometer. Ion chromatography (IC) with suppressed conductivity detection is preferable to colorimetry due to the elimination of a very toxic reagent, antimony potassium tartrate. However, single-dimensional IC is difficult to perform at the required detection limit. The method described in Application Note 244 provides a simple, two-dimensional technique that improves quantitation of the phosphate using only one column. Reduced instrument complexity, lower cost, and reduced software control and hardware management are also demonstrated.