Use of On-Site High Performance Liquid Chromatography to Evaluate the Magnitude and Extent of Organic Contaminants in Aquifers |
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| Authors: | Donald F. Goerlitz Bernard J. Franks |
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| Affiliation: | D.F. Goerlitz (U.S. Geological Survey, 345 Middlefield Rd., Menlo Park, CA 94025) joined the U.S. Geological Survey in 1961 and is employed as a chemist. He received both his B.S. and M.S. degrees from the Agricultural College, University of Missouri.;Bernard J. Franks (Woodward-Clyde Consultants, 5120 Butler Pike, Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462) is a senior hydrologist with Woodward-Clyde Consultants. He is actively involved in hydrogeologic and geochemical investigations at hazardous waste sites throughout the eastern United States. His experience includes 10 years of design and implementation of environmental investigations with the U.S. Geological Survey in Florida. |
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| Abstract: | Scientists engaged in the appraisal of ground water contaminated by organic substances are faced with the problems of difficult sample collection and timely chemical analysis. High-performance liquid chromatography was evaluated for on-site determination of specific organic contaminants in ground water samples and was used at three study sites. Organic solutes were determined directly in water samples, with little or no preparation, and usually in less than an hour after collection. This information improved sampling efficiency and was useful in screening for subsequent laboratory analysis. On two occasions, on-site analysis revealed that samples were undergoing rapid change, with major solutes being upgraded and alteration products being formed. In addition to sample stability, this technique proved valuable for monitoring other sampling factors such as compositional changes with respect to pumping, filtration, and cross contamination. |
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