Analysis of cations in drainage water and soil solution by single-column ion chromatography

Single-column ion chromatography (SCIC) for cation determination in drainage water and soil solution was tested. Using a 100-microliter sample loop, the SCIC detection limits were 0.04 mg l-1 for Na+, 0.02 mg l-1 for NH4-N, 0.06 mg l-1 for K+, 0.05 mg l-1 for Mg2+, and 0.085 mg l-1 for Ca2+. Results were highly reproducible in wide ranges of concentrations. Results obtained by the SCIC method were compared with those by atomic emission spectrometry (Na+ and K+) and atomic absorption spectrometry (Mg2+ and Ca2+). Student's t-test and regression analysis showed that corresponding methods agree closely.