Water Quality Characterization—Trace Organics

A need exists for analytical procedures which permit identification and quantification of organic contaminants in aqueous systems in the milligram-per-liter to microgram per liter or lower, concentration range. The Instrumental procedures which are most promising at present involve spectrographic and chromatographic techniques. However, most of these instruments lack the sensitivity to analyze the organic directly at the levels found in natural and waste waters. Preliminary concentration techniques which do not alter either the individual organic constituents or their relative distribution in complex mixture are essential. This review examines typical concentration and analytical procedures indicating sensitivity, limitations, and applications to water technology.