Determination of hydroxymethanesulfonate in wet deposition samples

Journal Article · Thu Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1987 · Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00155a013· OSTI ID:5786710

Ang, C C; Lipari, F; Swarin, S J

A new method for determining the hydroxymethane-sulfonate ion (HMSA) in wet deposition was developed by measuring the total and free formaldehyde content of the sample. Total formaldehyde (HCHO) is measured by dissociating the HMSA into formaldehyde and bisulfite with a strong base and reacting the formaldehyde with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine (DNPH). The formaldehyde-DNPH derivative formed is then determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. Free formaldehyde is similarly determined in another aliquot, but without the addition of the base. The difference between the total and free HCHO measurements gives the bound HCHO or HMSA content of the sample. The method was linear for HMSA concentrations ranging from 0.06 to 6.3 ..mu..g/mL. Recovery of HCHO from the dissociated HMSA ranged from 90 to 95%. The detection limit of the method on the basis of a signal to blank ratio of 3 was 0.01 ..mu..g/mL. The method was used to measure HMSA in rain and snow samples. 14 references, 3 figures, 2 tables.

• Research Organization: General Motors Research Labs., Warren, MI
• OSTI ID: 5786710
• Journal Information: Environ. Sci. Technol.; (United States), Vol. 21:1
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
FORMALDEHYDE
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
SULFONATES
MEASURING METHODS
AIR POLLUTION
ATMOSPHERIC CHEMISTRY
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
LIQUID COLUMN CHROMATOGRAPHY
PRECIPITATION SCAVENGING
RAIN
SNOW
ALDEHYDES
ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS
CHEMISTRY
CHROMATOGRAPHY
DATA
INFORMATION
NUMERICAL DATA
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC SULFUR COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
500200* - Environment
Atmospheric- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (-1989)