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Being able to detect and quantifyaqueous anions such as cyanide(CN-) and perchlorate (ClO4-) indrinking water and perfluorooctylsulfonate(PFOS) in wastewater is importantto public health and the environment. Upuntil now, ion chromatography or massspectrometry were the only ways to detectmicrogram-per-litre concentrations of theseanions of concern.However, this studydiscovered that Fournier transform infrared(FTIR), a common and potentially portablespectroscopic technique, can be used todetect and identify certain aqueous anions ofconcern at small concentrations in favorablecases even when competing anions are present.In addition, the method reported did notrequire pretreatment of the aqueous samplesfor the detection and identification of thethree substances.Using the modified crystal and after 60-min analyses, detection limits for CN-,ClO4-, and PFOS were 5, 3, and 25 ug/L,respectively. Previously, a commercial IRspectrometer could detect these anions onlyat concentrations that were 4,000-100,000times higher. Moreover, an FTIR spectrometeris more robust and easier to maintainthan an ion chromatograph or a massspectrometer.Although this article does not describe anew method that is ready for field or plantuse, it reports a scientific discovery that willbe studied in other laboratories. The authorsalso predict that manufacturers will pursuethis information to develop new instrumentsthat will provide water suppliers with a morerobust and potentially far less expensivedevice for determining concentrations ofCN-, ClO4-, PFOS, and other substances atextremely low levels. Includes 44 references, table, figures.

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Edition: Vol. 94 - No. 2 Published: 02/01/2002 Number of Pages: 7File Size: 1 file , 420 KB