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Field screening of soils contaminated with explosives using ion mobility spectrometry

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/495731· OSTI ID:495731
;  [1];  [2]
  1. Lockheed Idaho Technologies Co., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
  2. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab., Hanover, NH (United States)

This study involved the comparison of IMS screening with EPA`s standard method for explosives, Method 8330. The US Army Corps of Engineers provided a large number of soil samples that had been collected from three locations at each of three explosive contaminated installations. The samples had been dried, ground, homogenized and analyzed in duplicate by Method 8330. Duplicate two gram aliquots of these samples were extracted with 10 mL of acetone by shaking for three minutes, allowed to settle, then analyzed by IMS for Method 8330 compounds. Half of the extracts from one location have also been analyzed in duplicate by IMS for TNT. Results from TNT contaminated soils look extremely promising. Correlation between IMS and EPA Method 8330 results was very high (r = 0.99). Based on these results, the intention is to further develop and evaluate IMS for simultaneously quantifying multiple analytes. IMS throughput and cost per sample makes it an attractive technique. The ultimate objective is to provide adequate validation data to EPA for inclusion of the method as a screening procedure in SW-846.

Research Organization:
Lockheed Idaho Technologies Co., Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
Sponsoring Organization:
USDOE Office of Environmental Restoration and Waste Management, Washington, DC (United States)
DOE Contract Number:
AC07-94ID13223
OSTI ID:
495731
Report Number(s):
INEL/CON--97-00085; CONF-970113--5; ON: DE97052137
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English