A method for determination of the total dissolved free fatty-acid content of sea water

Abstract

A new method is proposed for the determination of total dissolved free fatty acids (FFA) in sea water. After preliminary extraction by chloroform, a copper complex is formed which is then extracted by a chloroform-heptane solution. Copper concentration is measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The method is particularly adapted to the determination of long chain FFA (longer than C 10 ) and dissolved organic matter usually present in sea water gives no interference. At the 30 μ/l. level the standard deviation is 1 μ/l. for seven determinations.