Methods for the Determination of Organic Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the United States Geological Survey, Book 5, Chapter A3 Edited by R.L. Wershaw, M.J. Fishman, R.R Grabbe, and L.E. Lowe
Brief Method Summary
Organochlorine and organophosphorous insecticides, PCB's, and PCN's are extracted from suspended sediment and bottom material with acetone and hexane. The organophosphorous insecticides are determined by gas chromatography using flame photometric detectors. The extracts are then purified using adsorption chromatography on an alumina column. If PCB's, PCN's, and toxaphenes are present, the extracts are further purified using a silica gel column. The organochlorine compounds are determined by gas chromatography using electron capture detectors.
Scope and Application
This method is suitable for the determination of recoverable organochlorine insecticides, polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB's), polychlorinated naphthalenes (PCN's), and organophosphorous insecticdes in bottom material and suspended sediment containing at least 0.1ug/kg of the analyte.
Applicable Concentration Range
0.1 ug/Kg to 60 ug/Kg (undiluted)
Interferences
Compounds having chemical and physical properties similar to the compound of interest may cause interference. Sulfur and organosulfur compounds will interfere, but these substances can be removed by treating the final extracts with mercury; however, the mercury treatment will also remove organophosphorous compounds.
Quality Control Requirements
Reagent water blank for each batch of samples. Calibrate daily with two point calibration.
Sample Handling
200g BGC Description: 1 L Glass bottle, wide-mouth Treatment and Preservation: Bottle baked at 450 deg C by laboratory. DO NOT RINSE BOTTLE. Chill and maintain at 4 deg C; ship immediately.
