The instrumental method for detecting total organic carbon (TOC) in water samples is detailed. The method's limitations are discussed and certain precautions that must be taken are emphasized. The subject of TOC versus COD and BOD is investigated and TOC is determined to be a valid indication of biological demand. (BT)

This discussion gives a general picture of the instrumentation available or being developed for measuring the four major categories of water pollutants: metals, nutrients, pesticides and oxygen demand. The instruments are classified as follows: manually operated laboratory analyzers, automated laboratory instrumentation, manual field monitors, and…

The Coast Guard utilizes a number of monitoring detectors, sensors, and techniques to find, recover and identify oil spills. Discussed in this article are in-situ and airborne sensors, systems developed to provide clean-up capability such as air deployable anti-pollution transfer system (ADAPTS), and techniques which will determine the source of a…

The procedure and sampler described permits detection of less than 50pg of one polychlorinated naphthalene (PCN) isomer. The method uses gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. The PCNs are collected on a glass fiber filter and two polyurethane foam plugs and extracted with toluene at 25 degrees Celsius. (BB)

This method of image enchancement and real-time imput of 3-D microscopic objects into an optical pattern recognition system is designed to identify and count diatoms as a means of water pollution assessment. The method consists of directing a low-power laser beam into a microscope to produce a coherent image of the specimen. (Author/BB)

New ways of obtaining environmental data are being developed to meet the demand for comprehensive, accurate, and timely information on the environment. This article examines four developments that are transforming the entire field of environmental measurement: spectroscopy; satellite transmission of environmental data; remote sensing; and…