Abstract: An electrochemical cell for measuring concentrations of metal ions comprises a sampling enclosure including a working electrode, a reference electrode, and a counter electrode. Ports are provided in the sampling enclosure for the introduction and removal of a liquid sample, an auxiliary reagent, and a standard solution. A stirring mechanism maintains a uniform composition of the liquid sample during operation of the cell. The electrochemical cell is operated by introducing the liquid sample into the sampling enclosure, applying a plating voltage between the working electrode and the counter electrode, and measuring the voltage response of the working electrode when the applied voltage is removed. The concentration of metal ions is then calculated from the voltage response. A standard solution is added to the liquid sample, after which the measurement is repeated to calculate the concentration of metal ions relative to the standard solution.

Abstract: The atomic constituents of volatile organic compounds are determined by a burner design having improved stability and, consequently, increased detection sensitivity. An optical window is included at one end of a burner tube to stabilize a hydrogen-air flame to avoid blow out. Since air and combined air and helium are introduced immediately in front of the window and the flow rate of the gases and a sample are particularly oriented, burning is complete for increased detection sensitivity by an interconnected atomic absorption spectrophotometer.

Abstract: Volatile organotin compounds are concentrated and subsequently eluted to a detector which provides an indication of the concentration of the various compounds of interest. An elongate tube having a longitudinal chamber containing granular absorbent receives the gas sample. Liquid nitrogen covers the tube and brings the temperature down to about -198.degree. C. at which temperature the organotins of interest are trapped in the chamber. A helical coil about the tube then heats it to discrete temperatures at which temperatures discrete ones of the organotins of interest are eluted to an interconnected detector. Precise control of the temperatures allows precise analysis of the organotin and a later raising of the temperature to an even higher level rids the longitudinal chamber of other compounds and water vapor so that liquid nitrogen can be reintroduced to start another cycle.

Abstract: A pair of pumps driven by a common motor draw in ambient seawater through e and expel it through the other to following electronic instrumentation. Coupled between the pumps, a rapidly rotating disk receives the flow of seawater and radially dissipates it in a multitude of separated droplets. The droplets are collected in a reservoir and the second pump expels it to the instrumentation. Where the flowing seawater is separated into droplets by the rapidly spinning disk, a break is created in the electrical conductivity continuity so that the following electronic instrumentation is not influenced by possible electrical potentials in the ambient seawater.

Abstract: An improvement for an anodic stripping voltammetry system for measuring the resence and concentration of trace metals in a seawater solution yields more representative readings. A combination electrode is fashioned from a porous polyethylene cylinder having a coaxial bore for receiving the flowing solution. A helically extending silver/silver chloride reference electrode is disposed on the outside of the cylinder and a platinum counter electrode is located in its bore. The porous polyethylene prevents chlorides from contaminating the reference electrode while the counter electrode drains off currents. Thus, more representative potential readings between a working electrode and the reference electrode are made as trace metals are stripped away into the circulating solution.