Chemical Speciation Analysis for Bromine in Tap Water by Ion Chromatography/Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry and Electrospray Ionization-Mass Spectrometry

Bromide compounds in tap water were measured by using a hyphenated technique of ion chromatography coupled with inductively coupled plasma - mass spectrometry (IC/ICP-MS) and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). We identified bromide ion (Br-), bromate ion (BrO3-), bromochloroacetic acid (BCAA), dibromoacetic acid (DBAA) and bromodichloroacetic acid (BDCAA) by standard addition methods with IC/ICP-MS. Moreover, we identified BCAA and BDCAA by ESI-MS after separation with IC. Br-, BrO3-, BCAA, DBAA and BDCAA in tap water collected from around Tokyo area were quantified by IC/ICP-MS. The maximum concentration of BrO3- (1.8 ng mL(-1)) was observed in tap water collected from Bunkyo-ku, although this concentration was lower than 10 ng mL(-1), which is the regulated concentration in Japan. DBAA, which is regulated by United States Environmental Protection Agency, was detected in tap water collected from all sites, except for Ome. However, scince BrO3- and DBAA are toxic, it is necessary to continue monitoring bromide compounds in tap water.