Ultrasonic solvent extraction of trihalomethanes from granular activated carbon

Journal Article · Tue Jul 01 04:00:00 EDT 1986 · Anal. Chem.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/ac00121a048· OSTI ID:5697917

Alben, K T; Kaczmarczyk, J H

Trihalomethanes (THMs) adsorbed from aqueous solution onto granular activated carbon (GAC) were recovered by low-frequency sonication in methanol for 30 min and determined by analysis of methanol extracts using packed column gas chromatography with electron capture detection. Analytical recoveries averaged 94% for four trihalomethanes from granular activated carbon samples immersed in aqueous solutions of known trihalomethane composition. No significant difference was found in recovery of trihalomethanes from replicate treatment plant granular activated carbon samples extracted 24 h after collection and extracted after 18 months' storage in sealed containers at 5/sup 0/C. Detection limits using an electron capture detector are defined by the cutoff concentration corresponding to a positive response on the linear calibration curve. Absolute detection limits averaged 93 pg: this amount is equivalent to 8 ..mu..g of trihalomethane/g of activated carbon, for a solvent to sample size ratio of 0.27 L/g and for 3 ..mu..L of methanol extract analyzed. Quantitation limits averaged 3-fold greater than detection limits. The feasibility of direct analysis of THMs adsorbed to GAC thus provides a means to verify THM-GAC surface concentrations estimated from mass balance calculations, using concentrations of THMs in influent and effluent water samples.

• Research Organization: New York State Dept. of Health, Albany
• OSTI ID: 5697917
• Journal Information: Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 58:8; ISSN ANCHA
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105* -- Separation Procedures
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
ACTIVATED CARBON
ADSORBENTS
ALCOHOLS
CAPTURE
CARBON
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DATA
ELECTRON CAPTURE
ELEMENTS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
EXTRACTION
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROXY COMPOUNDS
INFORMATION
METHANOL
NONMETALS
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
SEPARATION PROCESSES
SOLVENT EXTRACTION
SOUND WAVES
ULTRASONIC WAVES