EPA Method 608 uses liquid-liquid extraction by separatory funnel combined with gas chromatography and electron capture detector for the analysis of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in municipal and industrial waste water. Unlike the drinking water methods, however, analysis of waste waters and the streams they flow into, need to contend with particulates. The Thermo Scientific™ Dionex™ AutoTrace™ 280 instrument has features that allow analysis of samples even with high amounts of suspended solids and is suitable for use in EPA Method 608.

The following compounds are listed by UNEP to be POPS: • Pesticides: Aldrin, Chlordane, DDT, Dieldrin, Endrin, Heptachlor, Mirex, and Toxaphene • Industrial chemicals: Hexachlorobenzene, and PCB (polychlorinated biphenyl) • Chemical by-products (Dioxins): Polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDD and PCDF) This application note describes methods and results for extraction of the POPs listed above, with tables comparing ASE to traditional extraction methods.

EPA Method 525.2, Determination of Organic Compounds in Drinking Water by Liquid-Solid Extraction and Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry, can be used as a basis for developing a liquid-solid Extraction method for EPA Method 608, Methods for Organic Chemical Analysis of Municipal and Industrial Wastewater. Unlike the drinking water methods, however, analysis of wastewaters and the streams they flow into, need to contend with particulates. The Dionex AutoTrace 280 instrument has features that allow analysis of samples even with high amounts of suspended solids.

In this Application Note semivolatile organic compounds were determined in drinking water by SPE and capillary column gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Residue analysis in crops and food products is routinely performed in regulatory and industrial laboratories around the world. Accelerated solvent extraction is an extraction technique that speeds the extraction process and reduces the total amount of solvent used. The system uses conventional liquid solvents at elevated temperatures and pressures, which results in increased extraction kinetics. Extraction of samples ranging from 1 to 30 g typically requires 12–17 min and 15–50 mL of solvent.