William D. Ross

Rapid ultra-trace determination of beryllium by gas chromatography.

The electron capture detector has been used to measure ultra-trace quantities of beryllium separated as beryllium(II) trifluoroacetylacetonate by gas Chromatographic techniques. The lower limit of detectability is ca. 4 x 10(-13) g of beryllium. Calibration plots extend from 8 x 10(-13) to 4 x 10(-11) g of beryllium. Samples of beryllium in aqueous solution at four concentrations (1.18 x 10(-7), 1.18 x 10(-8), 2.95 x 10(-9), and 8.84 x 10(-10)g ml ) were analysed quantitatively by combining solvent extraction and gas chromatography. The distribution of beryllium during the extraction procedures was determined independently by use of radioactive beryllium-7, but the use of tracers is not required in the recommended procedure. Interference studies were made on cations and anions found in biological samples. At the concentrations used in the extraction procedure and the gas Chromatographic process, none of the fifteen ions studied interferes appreciably.

Analysis for aqueous nitrates and nitrites and gaseous oxides of nitrogen by electron capture gas chromatography

A highly sensitive gas chromatographic method is presented for the determination of aqueous nitrates. By suitable chemical pretreatment, this method is also applicable to the analysis of aqueous nitrites and gaseous oxides of nitrogen. The method has been applied to the analysis of drinking water, urine, and nitric acid. The technique involves the conversion of the nitrate ion to nitrobenzene with subsequent analysis by electron capture gas chromatography. The detection limit for nitrobenzene is ca. 10(-12) g, making possible the analysis of environmentally significant concentrations of aqueous nitrates and nitrites and gaseous oxides of nitrogen.

Trace Metal Analysis by Gas Chromatography

Gas chromatography offers a promising new approach to the quantitative and qualitative analyses for trace amounts of metals. This technique has excellent potential because of its high sensitivity and the low cost of instrumentation. The method utilizes the formation of metal complexes, e.g., fluorinated chelates which are volatile and stable enough for gas chromatographic separation and measurement. Some of these metal chelates can be detected at extremely low concentrations, e.g., at the 10−13-g level by using the electron capture detector which is very sensitive to fluorinated metal chelates. The significance of this research is its potential use in medicine, chemistry, environmental health, and metallurgy, where the presence or absence of ultratrace amounts of metals can be extremely important.

Gas chromatographic analysis of Chlorinated Biphenyls

Abstract Capillary column gas chromatography is reported as an analytical method for biphenyl, the 3 monochlorobiphenyls and the 12 dichlorobiphenyls. Two complementary columns were used permitting, in effect, total resolution.

Aqueous Effluent Concentration for Application to Biotest Systems

Potential chemical mutagens in industrial effluents may be present at concentrations below the detection limits of biotests such as the Ames mutagenicity test. These chemicals may accumulate in biological food chains. Many insecticides and other chemicals are known to accumulate in living organisms where tissues act as effective storage depots for toxic compounds (Loomis, 1978). This effect is especially significant for human health when dilute toxicants enter the human food chain, such as through seafoods. Mollusks such as the oyster tend to accumulate toxicants, because they filter-feed, which concentrates and magnifies the effects of toxic materials. Because of this potential for bioaccumulation, methods are needed to determine the bioactivity of low concentrations of potential toxicants in industrial effluents.