Tri-Service Site Characterization and Analysis Penetrometer System (SCAPS) Validation of the Thermal Desorption Sampler for Volatile Organic Compounds.
Abstract
Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are among the most frequently identified contaminants in soil and groundwater samples obtained during investigation of hazardous waste sites. The thermal desorption sampler (TDS), was developed for the Site Characterization and Analysis Penetrometer System (SCAPS) program to provide in situ analysis of VOCs in vadose zone and saturated soils. In operation, the TDS captures an estimated quantity of soil below ground, thermally desorbs the VOCs, and transfers them to the surface where they are analyzed on a field poflable ion trap mass spectrometer (ITMS). This analysis is sensitive to the low ppb range for chlorinated solvents and BETX compounds. The TDS was field tested at five geologically distinct sites across the country. Field data were compared to laboratory data (EPA SW-846 Method 8260B (USEPA 1995)) for validation of the technique. Data analysis indicated that the in situ analysis of the primary VOC contaminant at each site demonstrated good correlation with the validation method with a liner regression correlation coefficient between 0.8 and 1.0 and the slope of the regression line between 0.7 and 1.3. Secondary VOC contaminants of lesser concentration demonstrated poorer correlation that could be attributed to the lack of chromatographic separation prior to the ITMS analysis.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1999
- Accession Number
- ADA379231
Entities
People
- Dan Y. Eng
- Karen F. Myers
- Karl F. Konecny
- Richard A. Karn
- William M. Davis
Organizations
- Engineer Research and Development Center