Application of Isotachophoresis for Quality Control of Drinking and Mineral Waters

Abstract

Results of drinking and mineral waters quality control by isotachophoresis (ITP) are presented. This method was used to determine inorganic cations (potassium, sodium, calcium, and magnesium) and anions (nitrate, chloride, sulphate). Direct conductometric detection was applied in this investigation. As a result of the measurements, we have found a considerable difference between the value declared on the label and the examined one in many cases. Thanks to its low cost and high rate, the presented method can be used in routine analysis as an alternative technique to ion chromatography.

Keywords:

• Isotachophoresis
• Water quality
• Inorganic ions
• Ecoanalytics

Acknowledgment

This work was supported by a grant (3 T09D 035 29) from the Ministry of Education and Science (Warsaw, Poland).