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It has been proposed to use plants as elements of biologically-based life support systems for long-term space missions. Three roles have been brought forth for plants in this application: recycling of water, regeneration of air and production of food. This report discusses recycling of water and presents data from investigations of plant transpiration water quality. Aqueous nutrient solution was applied to several plant species and transpired water collected. Our findings indicated that this water typically contained 0.3-6 ppm of total organic carbon, which meets hygiene water standards for NASA's space applications. It suggests that this method could be developed to achieve potable water standards.

LiquidChromatogry/Mass Spectrometry (LC/MS) can improve Freedom water recovery systems testing by providing analytical information about non-volatile organic contaminants not amenable to conventional analytic techniques. A preliminary liquid chromatography method has been developed for organic acids in human urine. Using this method over twenty organic acids and related compounds can be resolved. Some of these compounds have not been reported previously from Environmental Control and Life Support System hardware testing.