21st Annual Student Research Conference
The Development of a Method for Detecting Organic Compounds in Water
Matt J. Crowe
Dr. Barbara K. Kramer, Faculty Mentor
In the summer of 2007, a project was begun to assess the quality of Kirksville's water by detecting for organic compounds. Specifically, the technique of solid-phase microextraction allows for the removal of organic compounds from water while gas chromatography and mass spectrometry are used for identifying quantities present. Using chemicals of interest including atrazine, chlordane, and poly-chlorinated biphenyls, the microextraction technique was honed by selecting a fiber type and parameters which allowed for maximum adsorption of compounds. This included using a 65 micrometer polydimethylsiloxane-divinylbenzene coated fiber, with a 3 mL 15% sodium chloride water sample and a 45 minute extraction time. The next step was to develop a detection method using the gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer. It was found that a program with a run time of 51 minutes, an injection temperature of 250˚ C, and various temperature rampings ranging from 55-270˚ C detected and analyzed the compounds most clearly.
Keywords: Solid-Phase Microextraction, Mass Spectrometry, Gas Chromatography, Water Quality, Organic Compounds
Topic(s):Chemistry
Presentation Type: Poster
Session: 4-3
Location: OP Lobby
Time: 4:15