Evaluation of Pre-extraction Analytical Holding Times for Nitroaromatic and Nitramine Explosives in Water
Abstract
A study was conducted to experimentally evaluate the maximum acceptable pre-extraction analytical holding times (MHTs) for three nitroaromatic compounds and two nitramines in water. Three fortified waters (reagent-grade water, ground water and surface water) were utilized in the study. Analytes investigated were HMX, RDX, TNB, TNT and 2,4-DNT, all at the low micrograms/L level. Subsamples of each water sample were held for periods of 0, 3,7,14,28 and 70 days at either room temperature (22 deg C) or under refrigeration (2 deg C). Samples were analyzed by RPHPLC without preconcentration. The two nitramines, HMX and RDX, were stable over the entire period for all waters under both storage temperatures. For the three nitroaromatics (TNB, TNT and 2,4-DNT) the results were very different. For the surface water, significant losses of TNB and TNT occurred in only a day or two, even under refrigeration. Loss of these analytes was accompanied by an increase in the concentration of their microbiological degradation products 3,5- dinitroaniline and 4-amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene, respectively. The rate of loss of 2,4-DNT was much slower in the surface water than for either TNB or TNT. The rates of loss of the three nitroaromatics were much slower in the reagent-grade water and ground water than in the surface water. The recommended MHT for nitroaromatics and nitramines in relatively sterile water samples is 50 days under refrigeration. Surface water sample or samples likely to have significant microbial activity, should be preserved in the field prior to shipment or analyzed on-site, or the loss of TNB and TNT is like to be significant.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 1993
- Accession Number
- ADA271547
Entities
People
- Clarence L. Grant
- Susan M. Golden
- Thomas F. Jenkins
Organizations
- Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory