Abstract: Methods of compensating for drift in fingerprint spectra of microorganisms caused by changes in their environment are disclosed. These methods of compensating for drift permit identification of microorganisms from their fingerprint spectra regardless of the environment from which the microorganisms are obtained. Furthermore, the disclosed methods may be used to construct coherent databases of fingerprint spectra that may be expanded even though the standard database conditions are no longer experimentally achievable. In particular embodiments, methods of compensating for drift in pyrolysis mass spectra, constructing coherent pyrolysis mass spectral databases, and identifying bacteria from their pyrolysis mass spectra are disclosed.

Abstract: Methods of compensating for drift in fingerprint spectra of microorganisms caused by changes in their environment are disclosed. These methods of compensating for drift permit identification of microorganisms from their fingerprint spectra regardless of the environment from which the microorganisms are obtained. Furthermore, the disclosed methods may be used to construct coherent databases of fingerprint spectra that may be expanded even though the standard database conditions are no longer experimentally achievable. In particular embodiments, methods of compensating for drift in pyrolysis mass spectra, constructing coherent pyrolysis mass spectral databases, and identifying bacteria from their pyrolysis mass spectra are disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the removal and safe disposal of trace quantities of toxic or carcinogenic hydrocarbon compounds from waste water. As a result of this process, such hydrocarbon compounds are converted to less noxious, readily disposable compounds. The waste water is first admixed with rehydratable alumina to equilibrium, whereby hydrocarbon pollutant compounds are absorbed onto the surface of the rehydratable alumina. The compounds are then removed from the waste water by filtration, and the remaining water is safely drained off. The remaining rehydratable alumina containing the toxic compounds is then reactivated by heating for reuse in subsequent processing. Non-reusable alumina is digested in sulfuric acid to decompose any remaining toxic hydrocarbon comppounds to less noxious compounds and to convert the alumina to water-soluble and conveniently disposable aluminum sulfate.