Analysis of dissolved methane, ethane, and ethylene in ground water by a standard gas chromatographic technique.

The measurement of dissolved gases such as methane, ethane, and ethylene in ground water is important in determining whether intrinsic bioremediation is occurring in a fuel- or solvent-contaminated aquifer. A simple procedure is described for the collection and subsequent analysis of ground water samples for these analytes. A helium headspace is generated above a water-filled bottle. Gases that are dissolved in the water partition between the gas and liquid phases and equilibrate rapidly. An aliquot of this headspace is analyzed by gas chromatography to determine the gases concentration in this phase. The concentration of the gas dissolved in the water can then be calculated based on its partitioning properties, as indicated by its Henry's Law constant.