Organics

Instrumental methods are essential in the determination of organic compounds and in the analysis of environmental samples for the presence and distribution of organics. Literature reviews on analytical methods for pesticides and for water analysis were presented. Conference proceedings on dioxins and related compounds provided information on analytical methods, sources, transport and fate, control technology, toxicology, and other topics. Pattinson and Wilkins investigated crimp-cap vial closures for possible contamination in pesticide residue analyses. Nine types of vial closures were studied and characterized after solvent extraction. They concluded that ethylenethiourea and diphenylamine may be contaminants associated with certain vial closures. Van Der Greef et al. focused on liquid chromatograph (LC)-mass spectrometry methodology and on optimizing the entire methodology, including improving the LC compatibility, interface technology, detectability, and pre- and post-column derivitization techniques. Scott reported on a software expert system for classification and identification of mass spectra of toxic compounds. The rule-building expert system showed more accuracy in identification of unknwon spectra using ternary-encoded spectra compared to binary-encoded spectra. The program was effective in spectral classification and identification problems. The literature summarized in this review addressed analytical methods or the presence and behavior of compounds in the environment. Total organic determinations are presented, followed by surfactants, aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, pesticides, chlorinated hydrocarbons, and related compounds; naturally occurring organics; and organics in surface and groundwater, drinking water, and wastewater; and hazardous wastes are presented in tables 1 through 9.