Chromatographic methods (Stock, R.; Rice, CBF) - ACS Publications

Chromatographic methods (Stock, R.; Rice, C. B. F.). John A. Dean. J. Chem. Educ. , 1976, 53 (1), p A52. DOI: 10.1021/ed053pA52.2. Publication Date: J...
0 downloads 0 Views 2MB Size
book reviews

monitoring but also with remote sensing of plumes by optical absorption methods. Roberl S. Braman University of South Florida Tampa. 33620

Analytical Methods Applied to Air Pollution Measurements

Robert K . Steuens and William F. Herget, U . S. Environmental Protection Agency, Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Ann Arbor Science Publishers, Inc., Ann Arbor, Michigan, 1974. viii + 303 pp. Figs. and tables. 16 X 23.5 em. $20.

Th15hwk drrls aith the current atatz oi the art uf ccmp.lmlively w l l dwrlnpcri tnstrumental approaches to the continuous monitoring of air for the major air pollutants. Analytical methods covered are restricted to those for sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide. nitroeen oxides. ozone.. hvdro. rnrhm.. and pnrtirulstrs l n t t r ~ ~ n w ~ anltnl alytical terhn~quesarr rhicn) those tm~thorl; which hnsr slrcady h e ~ nndnptwl for continuous or semicontinuous operation or which are being studied for this purpose. Both ambient air monitoring and stack gas analysis are covered. Environmental ehemistrv of the maim pollutants ir nc? dpli\,crltely I I P B I F ~ Nn covrmae is yiwn tu fhp mnny wet chemical Inhurnc,ry xnnlysis methods wed in pollution monitoring or to automated wet chemical laboratory methods. No final judgments are made as to air emission standards or to the best methods for monitoring for the same. It is obvious that none of these were intended to be in the scope of coverage. This hook will be of interest primarily to those doing research in the detection of the map' nlr pdlutanrr. thc n u t m u r i m < t i the sperltw zn~lvtical methods ~ v r r e d .and nracrlrnl nintct< of mcmrorinr. I t :; iicntfh cant that most of the work reported was either done on contract from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) or by EPA scientists and thus must reflect to some extent the Current status of automated monitoring a t this agency. This reviewer was especially pleased with the coverage of practical problems and the objective appraisals of the capabilities of all the monitoring systems described, all of prime interest to researchers. Those in the position of recommending the purchase of pollutant monitoring instruments should also find this work useful for evaluating monitors under consideration, The book is in three sections and 14 chaptbs each authored by different erouos. Section I on ambient air oollutant n . monlturlnp. e w ' r ; w l ~ l m a t ~am d Ihnma tr,graph~cmrth..d; for hydrcmrhon; snd carlmn mmox~de,th+ flame chcmdutninrrcent method for sulfur compounds, sulfur dioxide, and strong acid aerosols, the Rhodamine B dye ehemilumineseenee for ozone and nitrogen oxides, and long path optical absorption methods including application of diode lasers. Section I1 on particulate analysis includes an excellent review on X-ray fluorescence for elemental eomposition, papers on an oscillating particle mass detector and particulate nitrate analyses. ESCA methods are oat covered. Section I11 deals largely with direct stack analysis A52 / Journal of Chemical Education

Chromatographic Methods

R. Stock, Trent Polytechnic, Nottingham, and C. B. F. Rice, Liverpool Polytechnic. John Wiley & Sons (Halsted Press Book), New York, 1975. viii 383 pp. Figs. and tables. 14.5 X 22.5 em. $15.75.

+

According to the authors the book is intended to provide a general introduction to the entire field of chromatography. The text adopts an essentially practical approach emphasizing techniques in current usage and offering guidance on the most suitable technique for a given separation. No in-depth mathematical treatments are attempted. There are separate chapters on liouid chromatozranhv " (90 . on.) which indude coverage of ion-exchange, gel exclusion, and high-performance liquid chromatography; paper chromatography and zone

- .

. .

..

.~.~.

series of model experiments. The overall organization and flow of topics do not seem well thought out; this is particularly true in the treatment of the topics incorporated under liquid column chromatography. Much repetition results. Descriptive material is presented so generalized, and often incomplete, that an aura of vagueness pervades the discussion. Not infrequently, when same limitation or difficulty is mentioned, the cause and/or remedy is not appended except perhaps by a literature citation. Phrases such as "obvious limitations" without further qualification leave unanswered questions which will frustrate student and teacher alike. A better selection of figures and tables would have strengthened the presentation. Factual data are not given to place topical material in proper perspective. A reader will soon acquire the feeling that the authors are presenting classical chromatography of two to three decades ago. Indeed, upon checking the literature citations there are few entries later than 1968 and, in two chapters, only one later than 1962. Many very important topics and significant contributions are either sketchily handled or completely ignored: these inelude Gidding's theoretical concepts, SCOT columns in glc, programmed-temperature gas chromatography, design features of liquid column chromatographic detectors and in particular the ultraviolet and refractive index types, and Snyder's extensive work in the area of adsorption chromatography. Disappointing are the three pages devoted to the theoretical treatment of high-performance liquid chromatography, especially by comparison t o the relatively better coverage for glc. (Continued on page A561

book reviews Inaccuracies or misconceptions occur as, for example, the meaning of "dead volume" on page 90. One does not need to work a t optimum velocity in HPLC since one can trade column length for time and use higher pressures. Volts per centimeter determine the division between hieh and low " voltage electrophoresis (p. 172). In summary, the authors have not prepared an up-to-date boak on chromatagraphic methods. I t is not likely that the book will find acceptance in American undergraduate chemistry programs. Several advanced general analytical textbooks handle the subject matter better. Perhaps the stroneest section of the hook is the final chapter ion inodrl e x p r r i ~ n ~ n tIn;tru