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Bubble Extraction of Dissolved Gases from Groundwater Samples

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Abstract

A technique is described for measuring the concentration of dissolved methane in water samples. A 250 μL bubble is injected into a 5 mL vial to create a headspace. The headspace gas is subsequently analysed by gas chromatograph. The technique requires a headspace equilibrium time of at least 13 hours. The extraction efficiency of the method for methane saturated water was 101.9% ± 1%. The technique is applicable to other dissolved gases in groundwater. The method was used during a comparative evaluation of groundwater sampling devices at a field site. It was found that low flow rate sampling with either a Grundfos electric submersible pump or a peristaltic pump were more precise than using a bailer to measure dissolved methane.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. National Centre for Groundwater Management, University of Technology Sydney, Broadway, NSW, 2007, Australia

    Kayleen P. Walsh & Robert G. McLaughlan

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  1. Kayleen P. Walsh
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  2. Robert G. McLaughlan
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Correspondence to Robert G. McLaughlan.

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Walsh, K.P., McLaughlan, R.G. Bubble Extraction of Dissolved Gases from Groundwater Samples. Water, Air, & Soil Pollution 115, 525–534 (1999). https://doi.org/10.1023/A:1005102925436

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