Open AccessA capillary‐column chromatographic system for efficient chlorofluorocarbon measurement in ocean waters
Author(s) -
Bulsiewicz Klaus,
Rose Henning,
Klatt Olaf,
Putzka Alfred,
Roether Wolfgang
Publication year - 1998
Publication title -
journal of geophysical research: oceans
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.67
H-Index - 298
eISSN - 2156-2202
pISSN - 0148-0227
DOI - 10.1029/98jc00140
Subject(s) - ampoule , seawater , capillary action , chromatography , analytical chemistry (journal) , water column , chemistry , environmental science , volume (thermodynamics) , chlorofluorocarbon , gas chromatography , materials science , geology , physics , oceanography , quantum mechanics , composite material , organic chemistry
We describe a new gas chromatographic analytical system for the joint measurement of the chlorofluorocarbons CFC‐11, CFC‐12, and CFC‐113 and of CC1 4 in ocean waters. From measurements at sea and in the laboratory we find overall precisions for surface waters of ±0.6, 0.6, 1.5, and 2.4% and detection limits of 0.002, 0.002, 0.008, and 0.003 pmol/kg, for CFC‐12, CFC‐11, CFC‐113, and CC1 4 , respectively (1‐σ equivalents). The measurement repeat period is 17 min. A purge‐and‐trap approach, and other details, pay tribute to the work of Bullister and Weiss [1988]. A capillary column in combination with a low‐volume trap yields higher resolution than reported for other systems. There is füll separation of CFC‐12 from N 2 O and a satisfactory one of CFC‐113 from CH 3 I; to achieve the latter, a short packed column is operated in series with the main column. Slow purging of CC1 4 from the water samples contributes to its analytical error. The system is fully automated, allowing eight water samples and associated calibration measurements to be carried out unattented. Water samples are transferred into the system by means of flow‐through containers incorporating glass ampoules. Alternatively, the ampoules can be flame‐sealed, allowing sample storage for later analysis ashore. The performance of the system is assessed in some detail to serve as reference information for other CFC measurement systems and to direct future system tuning and developments. The system has been successfully employed at sea repeatedly. Sections from cruise M30/2, 1994 (Atlantic, 48° N), are presented as an example.