AOX (adsorbable organically bound halogens) is a complex parameter covering the sum of halogenated organic compounds adsorbable on activated carbon. Many of these organohalogens and their degradation products pose serious risks to human health and the environment [1–4]. Monitoring them is essential to ensure appropriate water quality, to trace their sources, or to investigate the efficiency of AOX removal techniques in water treatment processes. Historically, AOX was determined via microcoulometric titration after adsorption of water samples on activated carbon and subsequent combustion (DIN EN ISO 9562 or EPA 1650) [1,2]. By definition, based on the technical setup, AOX was comprised of adsorbable organically bound chlorine (AOCl), bromine (AOBr), and iodine (AOI)—but not fluorine (AOF)—as a sum parameter and not its individual fractions. Both DIN 38409-59 and ISO/DIS 18127 describe a validated procedure of adsorption and analysis via combustion ion chromatography (CIC) to determine AOCl, AOBr, AOI, AOF, and the sum parameter CIC‑AOX_(Cl). This Application Note explains the CIC method used to fulfill the requirements of these standards for AOCl, AOBr, AOI, AOF, and AOX analysis.

This application is focused on the experimental approach of AOX analysis. More detailed information can be found in related Metrohm literature (WP-081, AN-CIC-033 – specifically about AOF). The complete validation dataset of DIN 38409-59 is available on the Water Chemistry Society webpage.

The overall sample preparation procedure, i.e., preconcentration and adsorption of organically bound halogens, resembles that of DIN EN ISO 9562, as adsorption on activated carbon is a key point for both methods (Figure 1). While for AOF it is crucial that the samples are neutral to avoid adsorption of inorganic fluorine to the activated carbon, sample acidification is mandatory for the other organically bound halogens, similar to DIN EN ISO 9562. For CIC-AOX_(Cl) determination (i.e., AOCl, AOBr, and AOI), samples need to be acidified with nitric acid to pH <2 prior to preconcentration (Table 1).

The adsorption of the organically bound halogens is handled in a semi-automated manner using the APU sim system from Analytik Jena (Figure 1). Two columns filled with activated carbon (at least 50 mg in each column) are connected in series and 100 mL of sample is passed through. The organically bound halogens adsorb to the activated carbon (using dedicated disposable columns for AOF and AOX determination, Table 1), while inorganic halogens are rinsed off (Figure 1).

After the semi-automated sample preparation is finished, the complete content of the two adsorption columns is transferred into one or two separate ceramic boats for CIC analysis. Combustion occurs at temperatures above 950 °C in the presence of argon and oxygen (Figure 1). For pyrohydrolytic combustion, a water stream is essential as it converts the halogens into their hydrogenous forms. Chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine are volatilized in the combustion step, transported into the absorber solution (ultrapure water) with an argon/oxygen gas stream, and transferred into the liquid phase (Figure 1). Dosinos guarantee precise automated liquid handling, e.g., the transfer of the aqueous sample into the IC for analysis, or the water stream essential for pyrohydrolytic combustion.

The ion chromatographic separation is achieved on a Metrosep A Supp 5 - 250/4.0 column in combination with the A Supp 5 Guard/4.0. AOF (as F) elutes in under 7 minutes while AOX (i.e., Br, Cl, and I) elutes in less than 25 minutes (Figure 2). Automatic system calibration with MiPT (Metrohm intelligent Partial-Loop Injection Technique) is performed using inorganic anion standards for fluoride, chloride, bromide, and iodide (1 g/L standard solutions, TraceCert® from Sigma-Aldrich).

Performance checks of AOF and AOX determinations and the standard series for LOD determination (Table 2) are accomplished using organic reference standard solutions with varying concentrations (4-fluorobenzoic acid, 4-chlorobenzoic acid, 4-bromobenzoic acid, and 4-iodobenzoic acid), treated in the same way as the samples.

As the procedure for the determination of AOX is rather complex, dedicated sample boats and charcoal (i.e., fluoride-free materials for AOF, Table 1) and blank measurements are essential to guarantee a low background and an appropriate blank correction (Equation 1).

Individual concentrations for AOCl, AOBr, AOI, and AOF are calculated according to Equation 1. A sum parameter for AOX (CIC-AOX_(Cl)) is calculated using Equation 2. However, due to the novelty of this validated approach, CIC-AOX_(Cl) has not yet replaced AOX in water or wastewater regulations.

Dedicated materials and the sensitive analysis of the halogens with suppressed conductivity detection results in low blank values. Blank values were only measurable for fluoride and chloride (Table 2). The requirements for DIN 38409-59 are fulfilled—in fact, the overall procedure here is even more sensitive.

During the DIN validation process, several water samples were analyzed from different laboratories using similar setups (validation report: wasserchemische-gesellschaft.de).

Using IC, it is now possible to not only determine the sum parameter CIC-AOX_(Cl), but also to measure the individual fractions contributing to the AOX contents (Figure 2, WP-081) and to assess AOF (AN-CIC-033).

Overall, the validated procedure benefits from its easy, straightforward, and standardized handling, the precise determination of the analytes, the automatic calculation of results, and a low-maintenance, single-manufacturer setup.

A significant advantage of the standards DIN 38409-59 and ISO/DIS 18127 is that they allow the determination of adsorbable organically bound halogens as individual sum parameters, i.e., AOCl, AOBr, AOI, as well as AOF (a screening parameter for «total» PFASs, AN-CIC-033). Automation (e.g., automated eluent production, MiPT, intelligent and logical MagIC Net features) improves repeatability, accuracy, and reliability of the results, saves valuable laboratory time for the liquid handling, standard, and eluent preparation, and allows 24/7 analysis – from which every laboratory, either research, routine, or governmental lab – can profit.

The world of organically bound halogens is so varied that these sum parameters enable insights about hot spots, transport pathways, but also particularly vulnerable regions in a very simple way, while complex targeted analysis, if at all, can resolve individual organically bound halogens for deeper investigations afterwards.