A method for determination of the total dissolved free fatty-acid content of sea water

A new method is proposed for the determination of total dissolved free fatty acids (FFA) in sea water. After preliminary extraction by chloroform, a copper complex is formed which is then extracted by a chloroform-heptane solution. Copper concentration is measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method is particularly adapted to the determination of long chain FFA (longer than C10) and dissolved organic matter usually present in sea water gives no interference. At the 30 μ/l. level the standard deviation is 1 μ/l. for seven determinations.