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FIELD SCREENING METHOD FOR POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL COMPOUNDS IN WATER
Citation:
Lin, S. AND E. Poziomek. FIELD SCREENING METHOD FOR POLYCHLORINATED BIPHENYL COMPOUNDS IN WATER. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/540/R-94/519.
Description:
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has been exploring the complexation of silver ions with certain organic pollutants as part of a search for alternative low-cost, rapid, field screening methods. he result is a rapid, easy, and inexpensive procedure for determining polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in water. ased on previous testing of samples by General Electric Corporate Research and Development, a cosponsor of this project, there was a special interest in developing a field-screening procedure of PCB aqueous extracts performed from a current soil remediation procedure in which the extractant contained 1-3% surfactant by weight to enhance solubility of PCBS. est was developed, based on forming complexes of PCBs with silver ions, which was followed by UV irradiation to yield metallic silver. he appearance of a gray-to-brown color, depending on PCB concentration signaled the presence of PCBS. his method allows the test color to be directly compared with color charts to estimate the PCB concentration without the need for instrumentation. or soil remediation monitoring, it was found that several varieties of filter paper or solid phase extraction (SPE) membranes could be used in a dipstick mode, followed by spraying with methanoic silver nitrate solution and irradiation with 254 nm light from a hand-held UV lamp to provide a color spot test. he detection range was 1-500 ppm in the presence of either 3% Renex KB TM or Neodol (R) 1-7, surfactants currently being examined in soil remediation. n addition to soil remediation monitoring, potential applications include well monitoring, wellhead protection monitoring, post-closure monitoring, and rapid laboratory screening.