Determination of polychlorinated biphenyls in sediments, using sonication extraction and capillary column gas chromatography-electron capture detection with internal standard calibration
A sonication technique is presented for the extraction of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from sediments. In addition, a quantitation scheme is described which allows peak-specific and, in many cases, congener-specific determination of PCBs. PCBs are quantitated by capillary column gas chromatography-electron capture detection, with internal standard calibration. Results utilizing sonication extraction were compared with those obtained by Soxhlet and steam distillation extractions of 3 US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) quality control sediment samples and 3 lake sediments known to be contaminated with PCBs. Environmental lake sediments were extracted wet, with no drying prior to extraction. Recoveries by each technique varied depending on the sediment sample being extracted and degree of chlorination of PCB congeners. With proper selection of extraction solvent, the sonication technique can recover amounts of PCBs equivalent to and sometimes greater than recoveries by the Soxhlet or steam distillation techniques. A 24-h quiescent period in the extraction solvent between 2 sonications improved extraction efficiency for 2 freeze-dried sediments but did not affect results obtained for 3 environmentally contaminated sediments that were extracted without drying. Replacement of Soxhlet extraction with the sonication technique results in reduced sample preparation time, decreased volumes of solvents and sample, and substitution of common laboratory glassware in place of fragile, expensive Soxhlet glassware. Sonication extraction can also improve precision compared with Soxhlet extraction.
- Research Organization:
- Clemson Univ., SC (USA)
- OSTI ID:
- 7000403
- Journal Information:
- J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem.; (United States), Journal Name: J. Assoc. Off. Anal. Chem.; (United States) Vol. 71:3; ISSN JANCA
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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46 INSTRUMENTATION RELATED TO NUCLEAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
520200 -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (-1989)
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
AROMATICS
CALIBRATION
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CHLORINATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
CHROMATOGRAPHY
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ELECTRON-CAPTURE DETECTORS
EXTRACTION
GAS CHROMATOGRAPHY
HALOGENATED AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
MEASURING INSTRUMENTS
MEASURING METHODS
ORGANIC CHLORINE COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
ORGANIC HALOGEN COMPOUNDS
QUANTITATIVE CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
RADIOMETRIC GAGES
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SEDIMENTS
SEPARATION PROCESSES