Methods and principles of analysis for trace organics in water

The development of methods of analysis for trace organics in water was severely hampered until the introduction, in 1950, by Braus, Middleton and Walton l of 'a large scale sampling system which allowed systematic separation and identification of organic water pollutants. The sampling and concentration techniques available prior to this development restricted the analyst to the use of crude collective parameters, such as biological oxygen demand and total organic carbon or a few methods for specific organic substances such as oil, grease, phenol and furfural, for the measurement of organic water pollutants.The methods and instruments available for organic analysis became useful in the analysis of organic water pollutants with the introduction of this method. The development in the methods of analysis for trace organics since that time has been closely linked to the development of improved concentration techniques and the rapid development of gas chromatography as a separation technique. The rapid development in this area is shown by the fact that prior to 1970 only about 100 different organic compounds had been identified in water. Today about 2000 organic compounds have been identified in various waters.