Product quality tests require accurate and precise analytical techniques. Fertilizers belong to a group

of products whose chemical composition is of great importance due to health, environmental and economic

reasons. The following paper presents the results of the research into the content of selected substances in several mineral fertilizers manufactured in Poland. Ion chromatography (IC) was employed to determine selected

inorganic anions and cations, whereas energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (EDXRF) was used

to determine the content of selected elements.

Ultratrace analysis requires the use of extremely clean reagents, including water. Quality of water used in laboratories is crucial element of obtained reliable results. In chemical and biological laboratories, as well as industry, distilled, re-distilled and deionized waters arc used. Important factor of waler quality is the content of inorganic ions. One ofthe most competitive analytical techniques for trace analysis of inorganic anions and cations is ion chromatography. In the work ion chromatographic method for the determination of common inorganic anions (fluoride, chloride, nitrate, phosphate and sulfate) and cations (lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium and calcium) in distilled, re-distilled and deionized water has been developed and validated.