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Title: Determination of nitrogen-15 enrichment of nitrate and nitrite using thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry

Journal Article · · Anal. Chem.; (United States)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00126a043· OSTI ID:5109735

A new method has been developed for the determination of percent /sup 15/N enrichment in NO/sub 2//sup -/ and NO/sub 3//sup -/ that is both rapid and sensitive. NO/sub 2//sup -/ and NO/sub 3//sup -/ separation was done by use of reverse-phase liquid chromatography with a mobile phase consisting of ammonium acetate with tetrabutylammonium acetate as the ion pair reagent. The % /sup 15/N in isotopically enriched anions was determined by using thermospray liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). Enrichment values were obtained on as little as 20 ng of NO/sub 2//sup -/-N/20 ..mu..L and 4 ng of NO/sub 3//sup -/-N/20 ..mu..L. The linear regression curve was plotted for the observed enrichment vs. the actual enrichment over the range from the natural abundance to 25% enrichment for each anion and the equation for the linear regression calculated (y = 1.16x + 0.7577 for NO/sub 2//sup -/ and y = 0.951x + 0.447 for NO/sub 3//sup -/). The coefficient of determination for the NO/sub 2//sup -/ and NO/sub 3//sup -/ curves was 0.988 and 0.987, respectively. The dynamic range of the method was found to be suitable for the range of NO/sub 2//sup -/ and NO/sub 3//sup -/ expected in plant xylem sap. Xylem sap samples obtained from NO/sub 3//sup -/ fed pea, Pisum sativum cv. Homesteader (3.9 ..mu..g of NO/sub 3//sup -/-N/mL, 24.7% /sup 15/N), contained a /sup 15/N enrichment of 25.4% +/- 0.7%.

Research Organization:
National Research Council of Canada, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
OSTI ID:
5109735
Journal Information:
Anal. Chem.; (United States), Vol. 58:13
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English