66 -- FLOW INJECTION CHEMICAL ANALYZER WITH COLUMN-SUPPRESSED ION CHROMATOGRAPHY TECHNOLOGY UPGRADE CAPABILITY The USDA, Agricultural Research Service intends to procure a flow injection chemical analyzer with capability to be field upgradable to handle column-suppressed ion chromatography. Current research involves water quality analysis where column-suppressed ion chromatography is being used to determine chloride, chlorate, and other ions in water and soil samples. Future need in using this system includes ability to evaluate quality of irrigation water being applied to research plots and its impact on groundwater and environmental quality. Future soil analysis needs include capability for multiple ion analysis on samples to evaluate movement of nutrients and ion tracers through the soil profile. The capability of upgrading the flow injection chemistry system to include column-suppressed ion chromatography will allow determination of concentrations of multiple ions in a single sample. as well as increasing sensitivity levels for environmental and water quality work. The flow injection chemical analyzer will be used to determine concentrations of ammonia, nitrate/nitrite, total Kjeldahl nitrogen, and phosphorus levels in soil, plant and water samples collected from field research plots. The Lachat QuikChem 8000 Series Flow Injection Analyzer meets these needs including their patented Shared Peripheral System (SPS), which meets the need to upgrade instrument to run ion chromatography independently and simultaneously with flow injection analysis. This is covered under Patent Number 5,492,831. Posted 01/26/00 (W-SN419283).

Loren Data Corp. http://www.ld.com (SYN# 0352 20000128\SP-0006.MSC)