Determination of Nitrite, Nitrate and Phosphate
Summary of Method. Water samples are filtered and analyzed by ion chromatography
(IC). Each analytical batch consists of a blank, 5 external calibration standards
and a calibration check for every 8 samples. The method detection limits (MDL)
are as follows: 0.1 mg/L for phosphate, and 0.05 mg/L for nitrite and nitrate.
Preparation of IC samples. Water samples are pre-filtered before analysis in the Dionex ICS-90 ion chromatography system. Fresh water samples (5 mL) are filtered through 0.20 mm IC Millex syringe filters (for freshwater samples) while saltwater samples are filtered through the Dionex Ag/H cartridges and diluted 50:50 using deionized distilled water.
Preparation of IC calibration standards. The following calibration standards
are prepared.
(1) 0.1 mg/L of phosphate, 0.05 mg/L of nitrite and 0.05 mg/L nitrate
(2) 0.2 mg/L phosphate and 0.1 mg/L nitrite and 0.1 mg/L nitrate
(3) 1.0 mg/L phosphate and 0.5 mg/L nitrite and 0.5 mg/L nitrate
(4) 2.0 mg/L phosphate and 1.0 mg/L nitrite and 1.0 mg/L nitrate
(5) 10.0 mg/L phosphate and 5.0 mg/L nitrite and 5.0 mg/L nitrate
Calibration. The calibration curve must consist of at least three data points.
The response of each calibrator must be within 10%, otherwise, it does not meet
method criteria and must be removed from the working calibration curve.
Final data are summarized in Excel worksheets. The nitrite as N (mg/L) is calculated
by multiplying the nitrite (mg/L) with 0.304 (factor). Likewise, the nitrate
as N (mg/L) content is calculated by multiplying the nitrate (mg/L) content
with 0.226 (factor). The phosphate (mg/L) content is converted to phosphorus
(mg/L) by using the factor of 0.326.
Determination
of Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus
Summary of Method. To analyze the total N and total P content, all phosphorus-and nitrogen-containing substances in the water sample are first converted to inorganic nitrates and phosphates by photo-oxidation. After photo-oxidation, the samples are analyzed as described above.
Photo-oxidation.
Water samples (100 mL) added with 2 drops of 30% H2O2, are photo-oxidized using
Ace-Hanovia photooxidation apparatus (Department of Health State Laboratory)
for four (4) hours to hydrolyze all phosphorus-containing substances into phosphates,
and all nitrogen-containing substances into nitrates.