Hello Jude,

Are you referring to the use of anhydrous sodium sulfate? In many
extractions one adds a small amount of anhydrous Na2SO4, and after
vortexing, it settles to the bottom as crystals (and if it gets slushy, you
add more until the crystals remain dry). The samples are then centrifuged
and decanted into autosampler vials.

If this is the question, then there should be no issue.  The water goes
into the crystal structure and organic components do not.
In your case one can collect the volatiles into solvent (are you
derivatizing?) and then dry the solvent.  I would do this rather than
trying to dry the vapour before the components of interest are trapped.

Irene Ellis
IsoTrace Lab
University of Toronto
(416)978-4041

On Thu, 18 Nov 2004 16:39:48 -0500, Jude Maul <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

>I'm interested in learning the best way to scrub water out of a field
>sample of plant volatized monoterpenes.  The sample is being prepared
>for GC/MS trace gas analysis. The concern is that the target
>molecules may be in such low abundance that a conventional water
>scrubber may non-specifically bind target molecules and reduce the
>target signal below detection.
>Are there methods that address these concerns.
>Thanks in advance.
>jude
>
>--
>#####################
>Jude Maul
>Department of Horticulture
>Cornell University
>Ithaca, NY 14853
>607-255-0883 (OFFICE)
>[log in to unmask]
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