Validation of a Sorbent Tube/High Performance Liquid Chromatographic Procedure for the Determination of Eight Explosives in Water

摘要

A new analytical method for the determination of eight explosives in ground water was independently validated. The following eight explosives were studied: HMX, RDX, Tetryl, TNT, PETN, Nitroglycerin, 2,6-DNT, and 2,4-DNT. The same method had been recently developed and validated by Battelle Laboratories, Columbus Div. USAEHA Certified Reporting Limits range from 0.8 to 22 micrograms/Liter, whereas Battelle values had ranged from 0.9 to 15 micrograms/Liter. The method involved collection of explosives in 500 ml of groundwater onto a 600 mg Hayesep R solid sorbent cartridge, followed by elution of the cartridge with acetone. A solvent exchange to 2 ml methanol/water was performed and the solution analyzed by liquid chromatography using tandem ultraviolet/photoconductivity detectors. A study of approximately thirty potential method interferants and explosive precursors was conducted. Some of these were found to be method interferants. Some recommendations for procedural modifications are made to further improve the method. Keywords: Liquid chromatography; Test methods; Quantitative analysis; Explosive precursors/degradation products; Hayesep R procedure; Chromatographic analysis. (edc)