Perchlorate

For more information on Perchlorate, please contact:

John Quander
Technology Assessment Branch
(703) 603-7198
quander.john@epa.gov

Overview Policy and Guidance Chemistry and Behavior Environmental Occurrence Toxicology Detection and Site Characterization Treatment Technologies Conferences and Seminars Additional Resources

Detection and Site Characterization

The purpose of this section is to identify analytical and sampling methods used for detecting, measuring, and/or monitoring perchlorate that are available on line. The intent is not to provide an exhaustive list of analytical methods, but to identify standard methods, particularly those used for environmental samples and approved by EPA. Check the National Environmental Methods Index (NEMI) to identify methods for perchlorate that may not cited on this page. NEMI is a free, searchable clearinghouse of methods and procedures for regulatory and non-regulatory analyses.

EPA Method 314 uses ion chromatography to determine perchlorate in drinking water, and detection limits are now routinely reported at 0.2 µg/L. Several alternative detection schemes have appeared in the literature that involve capillary electrophoresis, ion selective electrode, ion-pair extraction coupled with electrospray ionization/mass spectrometry, or ion chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry. These alternative approaches are being pursued because Method 314 produces only a non-specific response (conductivity) at a retention time that is compared to a perchlorate standard, with no guarantee that an ionic interference that elutes in a peak at that given time is perchlorate.

Jump to a Subsection Laboratory Analysis | Site Characterization | Literature References

Laboratory Analysis

Assessing Perchlorate Origins Using Stable Isotopes
T.G. Mohr.
Southwest Hydrology, Vol 6 No 4, July/Aug 2007

Describes how isotope ratio analysis of naturally occurring stable isotopes of oxygen and chlorine can be used to distinguish sources of water and probable sources of contaminants, such as perchlorate.

Determination of Perchlorate at Parts-Per-Billion Levels in Plants by Ion Chromatography
Ellington et al.
Journal of Chromatography A, 898 (2000) 193-199

Determination of Perchlorate at Trace Levels in Drinking Water by Ion-Pair Extraction with Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry
Magnuson et al.
Anal. Chem. 2000, 72, 25-29

An Improved Ion Chromatographic Method for Low Level Perchlorate Analysis (slide presentation)
Peter E. Jackson, Dionex Corp., Sunnyvale, CA.; 2000

The optimized Dionex perchlorate method, an interference-free method for analysis of low µg/L perchlorate in ground and tap water, is based on 1000 µL injection, AS11 column, 100 mM NaOH eluent and suppressed conductivity detection using ASRS. It has an MDL of 0.25 µg/L, MRL of ~ 1.0 µg/L, a linear calibration range of 2 to 100 µg/L, and recovery of 98-99% at 2.5 µg/L level.

Ion Chromatographic Determination of Perchlorate Ion: Analysis of Fertilizers and Related Materials
T.W. Collette, W.P. Robarge, E.T. Urbansky.
Publication EPA/600/R-01/026, Apr 2001
Contact: Tim Collette, collette.tim@epa.gov

Laboratories Approved for UCMR Perchlorate Analysis
U.S. EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water (OGWDW).

The listed laboratories have successfully completed and passed the EPA-coordinated Perchlorate Performance Testing Study; however, inclusion on this list does not indicate EPA endorsement or recommendation.

Method 314.0—Determination of Perchlorate in Drinking Water Using Ion Chromatography
Daniel P. Hautman (U.S. EPA, Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water), David J. Munch; Andrew D. Eaton (Montgomery Watson Laboratories), Ali W. Haghani.
EPA Method 314.0, Rev 1.0, 49 pp, Nov 1999
Contact: Daniel P. Hautman, hautman.dan@epa.gov

This method covers the determination of perchlorate in reagent water, surface water, ground water, and finished drinking water. It is recommended for use only by or under the supervision of analysts experienced in the use of ion chromatography and in the interpretation of the resulting ion chromatograms.

Method Development for the Determination of Perchlorate in Drinking Water Using Ion Chromatography With Mass Spectrometric Detection
U.S. EPA, National Exposure Research Laboratory: FY04 Research Abstract.
Contact: Elizabeth Hedrick, Hedrick.elizabeth@epa.gov

Microscale Extraction of Perchlorate in Drinking Water with Low Level Detection by Electrospray-Mass Spectrometry
Magnuson et al.
Talanta 52 (2000) 285-291

Navy Environmental Sampling & Testing Programs: Perchlorate

This page offers slide presentations on perchlorate sampling and analysis from several intergovernmental meetings.

Perchlorate Analytical Detection Methods
Munch, D.
Office of Ground Water and Drinking Water, Technical Support Center
U. S. Environmental Protection Agency
Contact: David Munch, munch.dave@epa.gov

Perchlorate Screening Study: Low Concentration Method for the Determination of Perchlorate in Aqueous Samples Using Ion Selective Electrodes. Letter Report of Findings for Method Development Studies, Interference Studies, and Split Sample Studies, Including Standard Operating Procedure
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers & U.S. EPA Region 9. 172 pp, 2001.

Quantitation of Perchlorate Ion: Practices and Advances Applied to the Analysis of Common Matrices
Urbansky, Edward Todd
Critical Reviews in Analytical Chemistry, 30(4):311-343 (2000)

Quantitation of Perchlorate Ion by Electrospray Ionization Mass Spectrometry (ESI-MS) Using Stable Association Complexes with Organic Cations and Bases to Enhance Selectivity
Urbansky et al.
J. Anal. At. Spectrom., 1999, 14, 1861-1866

Rapid Determination of Perchlorate Anion in Foods by Ion Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry, Revision 1 DRAFT
U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition.
Contact: Alexander J. Krynitsky, Alex.Krynitsky@fda.hhs.gov

Stability and Concentration Verification of Ammonium Perchlorate Dosing Solutions
Tsui, David T.; D.R. Mattie; L. Narayanan, ManTech/Geo-Centers Joint Venture, Dayton, OH.
DTIC Publication No: ADA367416, 38 pp, 1998
Contact: David R. Mattie, mattied@falcon.al.wpafb.af.mil

A sensitive and selective ion chromatography (IC) method for the analysis of perchlorate and nitrate, a possible interference anion, was developed to support a series of 90-Day Oral Toxicity Studies. The method development and validation data demonstrated the IC method to be capable of detecting both perchlorate and nitrate at 0.003 µg/mL (5 ppb) in reagent water with excellent accuracy and precision. Ion chromatographic analysis of the stability solutions showed that under controlled room temperature, relative humidity, and light intensity, ammonium perchlorate was stable in reagent water for at least 109 days. The concentrations of the ammonium perchlorate dosing solutions (0.05 to 200 µg/mL) were verified by IC analysis to be within an acceptable range of +/- 10%.

Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Wastes: Physical/Chemical Methods, 3rd Edition
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, SW-846.

Method 6850: Perchlorate in Water, Soils and Solid Wastes Using High Performance Liquid Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization /Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/ESI/MS or HPLC/ESI/MS/MS)
Method 6860: Perchlorate in Water, Soils and Solid Wastes Using Ion Chromatography/Electrospray Ionization/Mass Spectrometry (IC/ESI/MS or IC/ESI/MS/MS)

Viability of Applying Curie Point Pyrolysis/Gas Chromatography Techniques for Characterization of Ammonium Perchlorate Based Propellants
J.L. Barnett; B.M. Montoya, Sandia National Labs., Albuquerque, NM.
SAND2002-1922, 32 pp, 2002
Contact: James L. Barnett, JLBARNE@sandia.gov

Site Characterization

(see Policy and Guidance section for material on field sampling)

Environmental Forensics: Contaminant-Specific Guide
Robert D. Morrison and Brian Murphy.
Elsevier Academic Press, Boston. ISBN: 0125077513, 576 pp, 2006

Environmental forensics is the application of scientific techniques for the purpose of identifying the source and age of a contaminant. This book discusses the following contaminants and contaminant groups: mercury, asbestos, lead, chromium, methane, radioactive compounds, pesticides, perchlorate, polychlorinated biphenyls, arsenic, chlorinated solvents, polyaromatic hydrocarbons, crude oil, gasoline, microbes, and compounds found in sewage.

Field Demonstration and Validation of a New Device for Measuring Water and Solute Fluxes at IHDIV-NSWC, Indian Head, MD: Final Report (Version 2)
K. Hatfield, M.D. Annable, and P.S.C. Rao.
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program, NTIS: ADA468561, 138 pp, 2006

The demonstration at IHDIV-NSWC applied passive flux meters (PFMs) to the measurement of water and perchlorate contaminant fluxes. Studies also were conducted to demonstrate the applicability of a new PFM sorbent, SMSI-GAC, for field-scale measurement of ground-water and perchlorate fluxes.

Field Demonstration and Validation of a New Device for Measuring Water and Solute Fluxes, NASA LC-34 Site
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), 172 pp, 2006

ESTCP passive flux meter (PFM) demonstration and validation projects include MTBE flux measurement at Port Hueneme, perchlorate flux at the Naval Surface Warfare Center at Indianhead, and TCE flux at NASA Launch Complex 34 at Cape Canaveral.

Field Screening Method for Perchlorate in Water and Soil
Philip G. Thorne.
ERDC/CRREL Technical Report 04-8, 36 pp, Apr 2004.

Mass Flux Toolkit to Evaluate Groundwater Impacts, Attenuation, and Remediation Alternatives
Environmental Security Technology Certification Program (ESTCP), 2006

To help site managers and site consultants estimate mass flux and understand the uncertainty in those estimates, ESTCP has funded the development of a computerized Mass Flux Toolkit, free software that gives site personnel the capability to compare different mass flux approaches, calculate mass flux from transect data, and apply mass flux to manage ground-water plumes. The toolkit spreadsheet and associated documentation are available on the ESTCP contractor's website in a zipped file.

Santa Susana Field Laboratory (aka The Boeing Company), Simi Valley, Ventura County
California Department of Toxic Substances Control.

This website documents extensively the characterization activities undertaken in a RCRA facility investigation of a perchlorate-contaminated facility in California, including an evaluation of the potential for perchlorate migration off site.

Literature References

Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century Initiative (21M²) Literature Search
Literature search conducted under EPA's Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response Measurement and Monitoring Technologies for the 21st Century Initiative (21M²) for perchlorate analysis to meet rising interest in the low level analysis of perchlorates in ground and drinking water.

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Last updated on Thursday, May 29, 2008