Comparison of analytical methods for determination of volatile organic compounds in soils

Journal Article · Thu Oct 01 00:00:00 EDT 1992 · Environmental Science and Technology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1021/es00034a008· OSTI ID:6716554

Hewitt, A D; Miyares, P H; Leggett, D C; Jenkins, T F ^[1]

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1. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Lab., Hanover, NH (United States)

This study compares aqueous extraction headspace/gas chromatography and purge-and-trap gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (EPA SW-846, method 8240) for the determination of four volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in soil. Comparisons were performed on two fortified soils and two soils obtained from sites where hazardous waste had been spilled or disposed. In only two of the cases studied were significant differences consistently found; for the two most hydrophobic compounds in a high organic carbon soil and for TCE in a field-contaminated soil that had previously shown slow aqueous VOC desorption. The findings strongly suggest that aqueous extraction/headspace GC using a portable instrument can be used to screen soils on site for VOCs, providing rapid same-day results, that will consistently identify the presence of these analytes and provide quantitative results which are generally not significantly different from slower more expensive, laboratory-based purge-and-trap analysis. 29 refs., 3 figs., 7 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6716554
• Journal Information: Environmental Science and Technology; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Science and Technology; (United States) Vol. 26:10; ISSN ESTHAG; ISSN 0013-936X
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400102 -- Chemical & Spectral Procedures
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ABUNDANCE
ALKYLATED AROMATICS
AROMATICS
BENZENE
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHLORINATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EVALUATION
HALOGENATED ALIPHATIC HYDROCARBONS
HYDROCARBONS
MATTER
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
SOILS
TOLUENE
VOLATILE MATTER