An analytical procedure was developed for the determination of 54 semi-volatile organic priority pollutants in sludge at levels down to 0.01 microgram/g wet weight. The procedure involved extraction with methylene chloride or chloroform, cleanup of groups of compounds having common properties, and in most cases analysis of the fractions by GC-MS using high-resolution glass capillary columns and selected ion searches. The final analyses involved the analysis of three separate fractions, namely benzidines, phenols, and neutrals. The benzidines were determined by HPLC analysis using an electrochemical detector instead of by GC-MS because GC-MS sensitivity for these compounds was too low. Quantitation in the GC-MS analyses involved the internal standard method applied to selected ion responses. Relative response factors obtained from the analysis of standard solutions were used as correction factors.

Prepared for U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Research and Development, Municipal Environmental Research Laboratory, Cincinnati, Ohio, by Battelle Columbus Laboratories, under contract no. Contract Number: 68-03-2624.