| Summary: | Manual and automatic solvent extraction techniques were used
to concentrate organic material from natural waters. Field and
laboratory extractions were compared to determine the most probable
method and best solvents for efficient concentration of organic
material from estuarine and sea waters.
The large scale extraction processes utilizing extractors made
from 55 gallon drums were operated both by manually moving perforated
metal discs through the water and solvent for mixing and by
bubbling air through the aqueous-solvent mixture. Resulting samples
proved large enough for the detection of short-chain fatty acids (carbon
length 1 through 10). Identification of organic constituents was
by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy.
Other portions of these samples were separated by column
chromatography with subsequent analysis by infrared, visible, ultraviolet,
and mass spectroscopy. The proximity of the Hanford
Atomic Product Operations to the collecting area caused some of
the organics to be labeled with trace amounts of radionuclides.
A counter-current pulse column extractor was used at sea
aboard the Research Vessel YAQUINA. The organic solvent, hexone,
used in this extraction was distilled before and after the extraction
with various fractions of solvent being kept for control. The
extraction was carried out under varying chemical and physical
conditions. The hexone was back-extracted into hydrochloric acid,
sodium bicarbonate, or sodium hydroxide before analysis by flame-ionization
gas chromatography and mass spectroscopy. Other portions
of the product hexone were analyzed for total solid matter
recovered and carbon, hydrogen, and nitrogen content.
Small intermediate scale extractions were carried out in the
laboratory using several solvents. Resulting organic material was
analyzed by tandem gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Where
possible, organic derivatives were prepared to aid in the identification
of the recovered organic material.
The advantages and disadvantages of large scale extractions
and small laboratory procedures were discussed. === Graduation date: 1967
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