In this work a system of passive samplers was developed to examine volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons in the gas phase of sewer systems. The adsorption kinetics of chloroform, trichloroethylene and perchlor-ethylene on the adsorption materials Tenax TA, Amberlite XAD-2, Activated Charcoal, Carbosieve S-III and Carboxen-553 were surveyed in laboratory experiments. The highest values of recovery were found for Tenax TA. Further experiments were conducted, regarding the influence of different temperatures. The only significant deviation from the reference kinetics was observed at a temperature as low as 4°C. In order to examine sewer gases a stainless steel sampling system was designed which contained six glass cartridges filled with Tenax TA, and which could be fixed to th steps in the manholes. Using this system, samples were taken at seven locations within the sewer network of Bayreuth, a medium-sized town with little industry, in order to optimise the period of sampling. At least one of the three compounds could be detected at six locations within one week of sampling. An amount of perchloroethylene which exceeded all other results by two orders of magnitude indicated the large adsorption capacity of the chosen material Tenax TA. A linear decrease with increasing height above the waste water table was found; furthermore the sampling device was proved suitable for the localisation of sources of discharge.
Analysis of volatile chlorinated hydrocarbons by GC with a gas-phase electrolytic conductivity detector.
