SYMPOSIA PAPER Published: 01 January 1988
STP26708S

Total, Extractable, and Leachable Organic Halides in Soil and Sediments

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The presence of total organic halides (TOX) in soils and sediments is a good indicator that the soil, and possibly the underlying aquifiers, are contaminated. Since many halogenated organics are highly toxic to human health with some being carcinogenic, and naturally occurring organic halides are very limited, their occurrence strongly indicates manmade toxic contamination.

There are two approaches to TOX analysis of soil that will be discussed in this paper. The first approach investigates a set of soil samples for total halides (TX), inorganic halides (IX), and extractable organic halides (EOX). The TX are determined by direct combustion of the soil followed by microcoulometric titration of all the halides present in the soil. The IX are determined by water extraction of the soil followed by direct injection into the titration cell. The EOX are determined by using a modified version of the method developed by Riggin et al. at Battelle Laboratories (EP Document 600/4-84-008, Appendix D). The results are then compared to see if the mass balance is true: TX − IX = EOX. The second approach investigates the leachable organic halides (LOX). The LOX is determined by extracting the soil with water and then analyzing the water for TOX by the carbon adsorption method (EPA Method 9020 in SW846).

Together, these investigations demonstrate the utility and flexibility of TOX analysis of soils and sediments.

Author Information

Martin, JT
Rosemount Analytical Division—Dohrmann, Santa Clara, CA
Takahashi, Y
Rosemount Analytical Division—Dohrmann, Santa Clara, CA
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Developed by Committee: D34
Pages: 176–183
DOI: 10.1520/STP26708S
ISBN-EB: 978-0-8031-5047-8
ISBN-13: 978-0-8031-0987-2