Abstract
Trace organic compounds in various environmental samples-tap water, river water, sewage, rain water, sea water, and sediment-taken from the Kitakyushu area were analyzed by computerized GC-MS. Water samples were passed through a column of Amberlite XAD resin and then the adsorbed organic substances were eluted with diethylether for 24 hr in a Soxhlet extractor. Organic substances in sediments were extracted with benzene by using a continuous extractor for 12 hr. After separation of organic substances by solubility separation procedure and chromatographic method, analysis of organic compounds were accomplished by GC-MS-COM technique. By these methods, about 200 compounds were found from the aquatic environment including camphor and menthol as odorous components, halogenated hydrocarbons formed as a result of the chlorination, and other man-made compounds. Domestic sewage and industrial waste were considered as their main sources. In this report, the occurrence and distribution of trace organic compounds in the aquatic environment, their origin, and fate were discussed.
