Comparison of Methanol and Tetraglyme as Extraction Solvents for Determination of Volatile Organics in Soil
Abstract
The abilities of methanol and tetraglyme to extract chloroform, benzene, toluene, and tetrachloroethylene from vapor-contaminated soils are directly compared. Comparisons are made both with respect to process kinetics and analyte recovery using an extraction procedure based on equilibration on a wrist action shaker and determination using a purge-and trap GC/MS. An equilibration period of 10 minutes is recommended for extraction using either methanol or tetraglyme. In all cases methanol was as good as or better than tetraglyme with respect to analyte recovery. This was even the case for soils contaminated with an oily residue. While commercial methanol and tetraglyme both contain measurable levels of volatile aromatics, simple rotary evaporation was successful in removing these contaminants to levels below detection limits for tetraglyme. Thus, for cases where very small amounts of these contaminants must be detected, degassed tegraglyme would be superior. Overall, however, methanol is considered the best choice for extraction of volatile organics where subsequent analysis is to be conducted by purge-and-trap GC/MS. Keywords: Hazardous wastes, Purge and trap, Soil extraction, Tetraglyme, Volatile organics, Water pollution.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Nov 01, 1987
- Accession Number
- ADA189028
Entities
People
- Patricia W. Schumacher
- Thomas F. Jenkins
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory