METHODS FOR DETERMINATION OF HEXACHLOROBENZENE AND PENTACHLOROPHENOL IN SOIL SAMPLES

The efficiency of methods for the determination of hexachlorobenzene ( HCB) and pentachlorophenol (PCP) in soil samples was evaluated. An on- line method was applied for HCB determination. Soil samples were trans ferred to chromatographic columns prepacked with alumina. The HCB elut ion was processed with n-hexane. The PCP was extracted from soil sampl es with n-hexane-acetone in an ultrasonic bath. After re-extraction wi th K2CO3 solution PCP was acetylated with acetic anhydride. The pentac hlorophenyl acetate derivative was then extracted with n-hexane. The H CB and PCP derivative were analyzed by gas chromatography with electro n capture detection (GC-ECD). Mean recoveries obtained from soil sampl es fortified at levels of 0.5; 4 and 20 ng g(-1) ranged from 91 to 100 % for HCB, and for PCP, at levels of 10; 40 and 200 ng g(-1), ranged f rom 88 to 101%. These results demonstrated the efficiency of the propo sed methods. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.