Methods for the Determination of Specific Organic Pollutants in Water and Waste Water

This paper reviews methods for sample collection and pretreatment and for isolation and determination of specific organic compounds with emphasis on methods for determination. Methods for organochlorine, organophosphorus, and organonitrogen pesticides and phenoxy acid herbicides are presented. Methods for the determination of other chlorinated organics such as polychlorinated biphenyls, organic solvents, and other selected organic compounds are also presented. Gas chromatography is the most widely applicable and popular method for detecting and measuring specific organic compounds in water, waste water, and other environmental media. When coupled with selective detectors, gas chromatography becomes the most sensitive and selective method for qualitative and quantitative determination of organic compounds that is available. The recent development and application of the computer-controlled gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer adds a much needed extra dimension to organic analysis, that of unequivocal identification of compounds that can be only tentatively identified by other means. Gas chromatographic methods are selectively applied either directly on the raw sample or after concentration by adsorption or solvent extraction and evaporation. A variety of other determinative methods such as infrared, ultraviolet, and fluorescent spectroscopy; liquid chromatography; and thin-layer chromatography have application in the broad spectrum of organic analysis. Selected examples of the application of these methods are presented.