Method 8082A Water

Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) by Gas Chromatography


Method 8082A is for the determina of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) as Aroclors or as individual PCB congeners from aqueous matrices.  Quantitation of PCBs as Aroclors is appropriate for many regulatory compliance determinations, but is particularly difficult when the Aroclors have been weathered by long exposure in the environment.  Therefore, this method provides procedures for the determination of selected individual PCB congeners.  Please note, most laboratories have implemented Method 8082A as an assay for Aroclors only and will determine PCB congeners or total concentrations using other methods, typically with GC/MS as the analytical technique.  Please review each laboratory's target analyte list carefully to ensure that the chosen method will meet your project requirements.

The sample is extracted at a neutral pH with methylene chloride following Method 3510 (separatory funnel), Method 3520 (continuous liquid-liquid extractor), Method 3535 (solid-phase extraction), or other appropriate technique or solvents.  A sequential sulfuric acid/potassium permanganate cleanup (Method 3665) can be performed if needed to remove single component organochlorine or organophosphorus pesticides if necessary.  The extract is analyzed using GC/ECD (electron capture detector) or GC/ELCD (electrolytic conductivity detector).  Any positive detects need to be confirmed by analysis on a second column.  GC/MS is acceptable as a confirmation technique if the concentration of the compound is high enough for detection by this tecnique.

NOTE:  This method is an update of and replaces Method 8082.


(EPA SW-846)

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Method Data

Hold Times, Preservatives, Preps, Collection, Analytical & Documentation
Holding Time:   7 days from sample collection to extraction and 40 days from extraction to analysis.
Preservatives:   Cool samples to ≤ 6°C. Add 3mL 10% sodium thiosulfate per gallon of sample if residual chlorine is present.
Required Preps:   1L Amber glass bottle with Teflon-lined lid
Collection Method:   Grab sampling, SW-846 Chapter 4, Section 4.1.2
Analytical Methodology:   GC/ECD
Documentation:   8082A

Analyte List*

Analyte Formula CAS Number Detection Limit
Aroclor-1260
11096-82-5
0.9
 µg/L
Aroclor-1254
11097-69-1
0.9
 µg/L
Aroclor-1221
11104-28-2
0.9
 µg/L
Aroclor-1232
11141-16-5
0.9
 µg/L
Aroclor-1248
12672-29-6
0.9
 µg/L
Aroclor-1016
12674-11-2
0.9
 µg/L
2,3-Dichlorobiphenyl (5)
C12H8Cl2
16605-91-7
25
 ng/L
2,4',5-Trichlorobiphenyl (31)
C12H7Cl3
16606-02-3
25
 ng/L
2-Chlorobiphenyl (1)
C12H9Cl
2051-60-7
25
 ng/L
2,3',4,4'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl (66)
C12H6Cl4
32598-10-0
25
 ng/L
2,2',4,4',5,5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl (153)
C12H4Cl6
35065-27-1
25
 ng/L
Hexachlorobiphenyl (138)
C12H4Cl6
35065-28-2
25
 ng/L
Heptachlorobiphenyl (180)
C12H3Cl7
35065-29-3
25
 ng/L
Heptachlorobiphenyl (170)
C12H3Cl7
35065-30-6
25
 ng/L
2,2',5,5'-Tetrachlorobiphenyl (52)
C12H6Cl4
35693-99-3
25
 ng/L
2,2',5-Trichlorobiphenyl (18)
C12H7Cl3
37680-65-2
25
 ng/L
2,2',4,5,5'-Pentachlorobiphenyl (101)
C12H5Cl5
37680-73-2
25
 ng/L
Pentachlorobiphenyl (87)
C12H5Cl5
38380-02-8
25
 ng/L
2,3,3',4',6-Pentachlorobiphenyl (110)
C12H5Cl5
38380-03-9
25
 ng/L
Nonachlorobiphenyl (206)
C12HCl9
40186-72-9
25
 ng/L
Tetrachlorobiphenyl (44)
C12H6Cl4
41464-39-5
25
 ng/L
2,2',3,5,5',6-Hexachlorobiphenyl (151)
C12H4Cl6
52663-63-5
25
 ng/L
Heptachlorobiphenyl (187)
C12H3Cl7
52663-68-0
25
 ng/L
Heptachlorobiphenyl (183)
C12H3Cl7
52663-69-1
25
 ng/L
2,2',3,4,5,5'-Hexachlorobiphenyl (141)
C12H4Cl6
52712-04-6
25
 ng/L
Aroclor-1242
53469-21-9
0.9
 µg/L

* The analytes and detection limits listed for each method represent the typical detection limits and analytes reported for that particular method. Keep in mind that analyte lists may vary from laboratory to laboratory. Detection limits may also vary from lab to lab and are dependent upon the sample size, matrix, and any interferences that may be present in the sample.