Organic contaminants in the aquatic environment. IV. Analytical techniques.

The analytical techniques available for the determination of organic pollutants in raw, potable and waste waters are reviewed. General measures of organic pollution are considered, together with a range of chromatographic and instrumental methods for the analysis of specific groups of pollutants. Gas liquid chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography are the most widely used techniques for the measurement of specific compounds while mass spectrometry and combined gas liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry are the most definitive methods of analysis. Consideration of the range of sample extraction procedures which are available indicates that solvent extraction procedures are the most suitable for non-volatile organic substances, and gas purging or stripping techniques are favoured for the isolation of volatile compounds. Sample purification or clean-up procedures, including column and thin layer chromatography, are of particular importance when waste water samples are to be analysed, owing to the relatively high concentrations of extraneous materials which have to be removed prior to analysis. The merits and limitations of currently available analytical procedures are discussed.