The Ion Chromatography instrument includes a Metrohm 858 Autosampler with 127 positions for introduction of aqueous samples. Anions are quantified using a Metrohm IC 930 compact IC Flex Oven/SeS/PP/Deg, which is equipped with a column oven, MSC and MSM module for sequential suppression, a peristaltic pump for suppressor regeneration and a built-in degasser. The cations are analysed using a Metrohm IC 930 compact IC Flex Oven/Deg equipped with a column oven and a built-in degasser. Detection and quantification of anions and cations is achieved using a conductivity detector.
Ion Chromatography can be used to quantify anions (Cl, F, Br, NO2, NO3, PO4, SO4) and Cations (Ca, Mg, Li, NH4, K, Na) in aqueous samples such as ground, surface, rain and soil extracts.
Publication links
1. de Beer D, Human C, Moelich EI, Joubert E (2026). Sensory and physicochemical quality of rooibos (Aspalathus linearis) infusions depend on brewing water characteristics. South African Journal of Botany 191 (2026) 193–203. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sajb.2026.02.023
2. van Schoor H, Joubert E, Moelich E, von Pressentin du Preez B, Human C, de Beer D (2025). The Sensory and Physicochemical Properties of Honeybush Tea Depend on the Brewing Water: A Preliminary Study. Journal of Food Science 90: e70720. https://doi.org/10.1111/1750-3841.70720
3. Welham A, van Rooyen J, Watson A, Miller J, Chow R (2025). Assessing inter-basin groundwater input to the Verlorenvlei estuarine lake using stable isotopes and hydrochemistry. Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies 57: 102081. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejrh.2024.102081
4. de Waal J, Miller J, van Niekerk A (2023). The impact of agricultural transformation on water quality in a data-scarce, dryland landscape – a case study in the Bot River, South Africa. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10661-022-10776-4
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