Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026

Dissolved Solute Sampling Across an Oxic-Anoxic Soil-Water Interface Using Microdialysis Profilers
Published on: March 24, 2023
Perchlorate levels in soil and waters from the Atacama Desert
R Calderón1, P Palma, D Parker
1Facultad de Química y Biología, Universidad de Santiago de Chile, Av. B. O`Higgins 3363, C 40-33, 7254758, Santiago, Chile, raul.calderon@usach.cl.
Abstract:
Perchlorate is an anion that originates as a contaminant in ground and surface waters. The presence of perchlorate in soil and water samples from northern Chile (Atacama Desert) was investigated by ion chromatography-electrospray mass spectrometry. Results indicated that perchlorate was found in five of seven soils (cultivated and uncultivated) ranging from 290 ± 1 to 2,565 ± 2 μg/kg. The greatest concentration of perchlorate was detected in Humberstone soil (2,565 ± 2 μg/kg) associated with nitrate deposits. Perchlorate levels in Chilean soils are greater than those reported for uncultivated soils in the United States. Perchlorate was also found in superficial running water ranging from 744 ± 0.01 to 1,480 ± 0.02 μg/L. Perchlorate water concentration is 30-60 times greater than levels established by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (24.5 μg/L) for drinking.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Gravimetry: Inorganic And Organic Precipitating Agents
Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy: Lab
Solutions containing organic solvents, such as low-molecular-mass alcohols, esters, or ketones, enhance absorbances by increasing...
Precipitation Titration: Endpoint Detection Methods
In the Volhard method, a standard excess of AgNO3 is first added to the...
Precipitation Titration Curve: Analysis
Responses to Salt Stress
Precipitation of Ions
The equation that describes the equilibrium between solid calcium carbonate and its solvated ions is:

