Analytical Chemistry: Key to Progress on National Problems Nafonai 3ur«au Standards rm t IG6077 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE Peter G. Peterson Secretary ^ NATIONAL BUREAU OF STANDARDS • Lawrence M. Kushner,ActingDirector ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: KEY TO PROGRESS ON NATIONAL PROBLEMS Proceedings ofthe 24th Annual Summer Symposium on Analytical Chem- istry sponsored by ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, ACS Division of Analyt- ical Chemistry, and NBS Analytical Chemistry Division, and held at the National Bureau ofStandards, Gaithersburg, Maryland, June 16-18, 1971. W. Wayne Meinke and John K. Taylor, editors Analytical Chemistry Division Institute for Materials Research National Bureau ofStandards Washington, D.C. 20234 National Bureau of Standards Special Publication 351 Nat. Bur. Stand. (U.S.), Spec. Publ. 351, 481 pages (August 1972) CODEN: XNBSAV ISSUED August 1972 ForsalebytheSuperintendentofDocuments,U.S.GovernmentPrintingOffice Washington,D.C.20402(OrderbySDCatalogNo.Cl3.10:351),Price$3.50 ABSTRACT This book is the formal report ofthe proceedings ofthe 1971 Summer Symposium in Analytical Chemistry held at the National BureauofStan- dards, June 16-18, 1971, and cosponsored by the Analytical Chemistry Division of NBS, ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY, and the American Chemical Society's Division ofAnalytical Chemistry. It contains six in- vited papers by subject matter experts comprehensivelyreviewingurgent research problems for which advanced analytical techniques need to be developed in the important areas of agriculture, air pollution, clinical chemistry and biomedicine, oceanography, solid state research and elec- tronics, and water pollution. Summaries ofrelated discussions by leading analytical chemists servingas panel members orinattendance atthe Sym- posium are included. Hundreds of important analytical problems retard- ing progress in these important areas are described and extensive references are giventopermitadeeperinsightintotheproblemareas. Ac- cordingly this volume should not only stimulate interest in important problems but should provide a valuable guide for highly relevant analyti- calresearchforsometime tocome. Key words: Agriculture; air pollution; analytical chemistry; biomedicine; clinical chemistry; electronics; oceanography; sohd state; waterpollution. LibraryofCongressCatalogCardNumber: 78-189152 ii FOREWORD The Analytical Chemistry Division of the NBS Institute for Materials Research provides a major national focal point for analytical chemistry through its continuing efforts to encourage meaningful analytical meas- urements, to exercise leadership in attacking analytical problems ofthe Nation, and to fill in gaps in critical measurement competences. This Division consists at present of about 100 technical personnel encom- passing some 60 differentanalytical competencesfromactivation analysis and atomic absorption to vacuum fusion and x-ray spectroscopy. These competences are charged with the responsibility for research at the forefront of analysis, as well as for an awareness ofthe practical sample, beitStandard Reference Material orservice analysis. One important mechanism by which the Division exercises leadership in the "state ofthe art" ofa competence isthatofsponsoring special con- ferences and symposia. Experts from around the world are invited to these conferences to summarize the present status of the many facets of a particular competence. In addition, contributed papers as well as com- ments ofrapporteurs or summaries ofpanel discussions are often used to helpbetterdefine this status. The first such conference sponsored by the Division was a broad one on "Trace Characterization—Chemical and Physical" held October 3-7, 1966 at the new NBS Laboratories at Gaithersburg, Maryland. OnJune 12-13, 1967 a seminar on a more restricted topic, "Quantitative Electron Probe Microanalysis," was heldinthese samefacilities andonOctober7- 11, 1968 the Division hosted the 1968 Internafional Conference on "Modem Trends in Activation Analysis." On January 30-31, 1969 a Symposium on Ion-Selective Electrodes was held. The hard-cover proceedings ofeach ofthese meetings are available from the Superinten- dent of Documents, Government Printing Office as NBS Monograph 100, NBS Special Publication 298, NBS Special Publication 312, and NBS Special Publication 314,respectively. As a continuation ofthese definitive "state ofthe art" conferences,the ANALYTICAL Analytical Chemistry Division was very pleased tojoin CHEMISTRY and the American Chemical Society Division ofAnalyti- cal Chemistry to host the 24th Annual Summer Symposiumin Analytical Chemistry. The theme of this Symposium was "Analytical Chemistry: Key to Progress in National Problem Areas." Over 450 scientists representing a broad spectrum of industrial, governmental, and educa- tional institutions attended, and many others expressed interest in the iii proceedings. The format ofthe symposium provided an excellent oppor- tunity for dialogue between analytical chemists and experts in problem areas of air and water pollution, health, agriculture, oceanography, and solid stateresearch. This volume contains the six invited papers presented at the Symposi- um, together with summaries of selected segments of the discussion sessions. W. Wayne Meinke,Chief AnalyticalChemistry Division iv PREFACE This book is the formal report ofthe proceedings ofthe 1971 Summer Symposium in Analytical Chemistry held at the National BureauofStan- dards in Gaithersburg, Maryland, June 16-18. The Analytical Chemistry Division ofthe NBS Institute for Materials Researchjoined ANALYTI- CAL CHEMISTRY and the American Chemical Society Division of Analytical Chemistry in sponsoring this 24th Annual Summer Symposium. In keeping with its theme—Analytical Chemistry: Key to Progress in National Problem Areas—the Symposiumfocussedon six very important areas where analytical chemists can play a vital role. These areas in- cluded Agriculture, Air Pollution, Clinical Chemistry and Biomedicine, Oceanography, Solid State Research and Electronics, and Water Pollution. A half-day session of the Symposium was devoted to each ofthe six subject areas. Leading authorities with broad knowledge ofthe problem areas were invited to present keynote lectures, summarizing the state-of- the-art of measurements in their fields, and to pinpoint urgent measure- ment needs for the future. Following the lectures, a panel of analytical chemists, conversantwiththe measurementproblems involved,discussed possible approaches to some of the problems raised by the speakers. Finally, each half-day session ended with a general discussion period in whichaudience participationwas encouraged. This volume includes the six invited lectures and summaries of the discussion sessions. Many hundreds ofimportant analytical problems re- tarding progress in important areas are described, with sufficient background information to assist in establishing priority and a rationale for an orderly approach to provide optimum impact in problem solving. Accordingly, we firmly believe that this volume will stimulate interest in many "real-world" problems and provide a valuable guideforhighlyrele- vantanalyticalresearchforsometime tocome. Identification ofcommercial materials and equipment by the authors in this book in no way implies recommendation or endorsement by the Na- tional BureauofStandards. An undertaking of the magnitude of the Symposium and this book would not have been possible without the cooperation and assistance of many individuals. The enthusiastic participation of the six invited speakers, the six session chairmen, and the 24 analytical chemists who V served as discussion panel members is deeply appreciated. Many mem- bers of the staff of the Analytical Chemistry Division and the National Bureau of Standards served on numerous committes and assisted during the Symposium in various capacities. Particularthanks are giventoBour- don F. Scribner, Richard A. Durst and Philip D. LaFleur for their dedicatedefforts inconducting several aspects ofthe symposium. The NBS Office ofTechnical Information and Publications under the direction of W. R. Tilley, and special help from Robert T. Cook, Rubin Wagner, and Mrs. Rebecca Morehouse gave invaluable assistance in many phases ofthe effort, varyingfromthe initialpublicitybrochures and program to this final computer-assisted printing and publication of the proceedings. Within the Analytical Chemistry Division, special thanks are given to Mrs. Barbara Turner and Mrs. Ellen Zimmerman fortheir untiring effort in typing the coded manuscripts and other material and to Mrs. Joy Shoemakerforpreparingthe many tables andfigures. Particularapprecia- tion is expressed to Mrs. Rosemary Maddockwho providedcoordination and editorial assistance in the many phases ofpreparing this book and to James R. DeVoe for developing and providing appropriate interfacing with the Office of Technical Information to expedite the computer typesetdng. November29, 1971 W. Wayne Meinke JohnK. Taylor vi