Table 4.

Comparisons among analyses on spectrometry, HPLC and IC.

Method	This method on spectrometry	HPLC a	IC b
Cost of pre-analysis treatment material c	Ion exchange SPE cartridge, NT$243	Syringe filter, NT$26	Ag containing SPE cartridge, NT$388
Cost of instrumental analysis per sample d	NT$1,500	NT$3,000	NT$2,000
Instrumental analysis time per sample	< 1 min	15 min	15 min
Limit of detection	0.1 μg/mL	0.05 μg/mL	< 0.5 μg/mL
Availability	Nitrate only	Nitrite and nitrate	Nitrite and nitrate

^a [17]

^b [15]

^c Monetary values of materials are obtained from local vendors.

^d Analysis charges are given by the Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council, Executive Yuan, Taiwan.