a b s t r a c t
The objective of this study was to develop a simple yet accurate method for the detection of bromate
in brackish water. Typically, bromate is measured by ion chromatography; however, the presence of
chloride ions complicates bromate detection using this technique. Where bromide ions are naturally
present in the source water to be ozonated, either for drinking water or aquacultural purposes, bromate
is formed as a disinfection by-product. As such, the need to measure bromate in brackish water is complicated
due to the naturally present chloride ions. The study was carried out in a laboratory setting
using a UV-spectrophotometer and an ion chromatograph to verify the results. To examine the robustness
of the UV-based method, seven water matrices were used to test the bromate detection method.
The bromate method presented herein utilizes a reaction of bromate with iodide followed by detection
at a UV absorbance at 352 nm. A key finding from the study was that the concentration of bromate was
quickly and accurately determined using spectrophotometry. This method successfully measured bromate
in waters containing a broad range of conductivity and avoided interference from other anions. The
method detection limit reported for all seven water matrices tested was greater than 0.14 mg L−1, which
limits the methods utility to saline solutions.