Alternative Methods to RSK 175 for the Analysis of Dissolved Gases in Drinking Water

With the growing price of oil, many alternative energy sources are being explored. Natural gas prices are actually decreasing, in large part to the use of hydraulic fracturing in areas like the Marcellus Shale in Pennsylvania. Due to increased concern over the hydraulic fracturing process and the release of methane and other chemicals into the local drinking water, a need has developed for fast and accurate analysis of methane in water. This study will evaluate methods developed for the determination of methane, ethane, ethene, and propane in water using a purge-and-trap concentrator and automated headspace analysis with GC/FID. Calibration curves, method detection limits, and carryover data will be presented, and comparisons between the methods will be made.