Determination of group parameters for organically bound chlorine, bromine and iodine in precipitation

• Published in: Chemosphere (Oxford) Vol. 38; no. 4; pp. 771 - 782
• Main Authors: Laniewski, Krzysztof, Dahlén, Johan, Borén, Hans, Grimvall, Anders
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford Elsevier Ltd 01.02.1999; Elsevier
• Subjects: Applied sciences; Exact sciences and technology; Natural water pollution; Pollution; Rainwaters, run off water and others; Water treatment and pollution; Europe; Chemical analysis; Snow; Capillary electrophoresis; Iodine Organic compounds; Analysis method; Adsorption; Activated carbon; Chlorine Organic compounds; Rain water; Bromine Organic compounds; Water pollution; Atmospheric precipitation; Measurement accuracy
• ISSN: 0045-6535; 1879-1298
• DOI: 10.1016/S0045-6535(98)00217-3

The presence of organically bound halogens in precipitation was studied by first adsorbing organics on activated carbon and then analysing the chloride, bromide and iodide formed during combustion of the carbon. A standard instrument for the group parameter AOX (adsorbable organic halogens) was used for the combustion. The halides formed were trapped in an alkaline solution and analysed by capillary zone electrophoresis. The method described enabled determination of sub-ppb concentrations of the group parameters AOCI, AOBr and AOI (adsorbable organic chlorine, bromine and iodine, respectively). Analysis of rain and snow collected at different sites in Europe showed that organochlorines were responsible for the major part of the AOX content in all samples collected. Organically bound bromine was found in sub-ppb concentrations in all of the samples, whereas organic iodine was detected in only two of the samples.