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.