As part of a study on the role of natural organics in determining the physical properties of soils, the use of combined gas chromatographic/mass spectrometric methods for identification of the more volatile organic chemicals in soils were explored. Soil was first treated at 100, 150, and 200C to select the optimum temperature where minimum pyrolysis of soil organic matter occurred. The vapors from three soils heated in a closed system at 150C were then analyzed. Subsequent refinement in technique involved collection of vapor from the three soils maintained at 150C using a constant flow sample holder/inlet system. About 50 organic compounds were identified. While application of this approach is restricted to the volatile compounds in the lower molecular weight range, conditions of analysis are thought to be suitable for identification of compounds originally present as opposed to pyrolysis products of soil organic matter. (Author).

The first volume to comprehensively discuss the range of methods available for the analysis of organic compounds in soils, river and marine sediments and industrial sludges. It commences with a review of the instrumentation used in soil and sediment laboratories and indicates the types of organics that can be determined by each technique. Subsequent chapters discuss the analysis of various types of organics in a logical and systematic manner. It provides guidance on the applicability of techniques in certain environments, the advantages and disadvantages of using one method over another, likely interference, the sensitivity of particular techniques, and detection limits.

The increasing awareness of the effects of pollutants in the eco-system and on the development of suitable methods of analysis has stimulated a lot of research recently. This volume comprehensively discusses the range of methods available for the analysis and determination of organic compounds in soils, river and marine sediments and industrial slu

This study compares aqueous extraction-headspace/Gas Chromatography (GC) and the EPA SW-846 purge-and-trap-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry(Method 8240)for the determination of four common Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) in soils. Comparisons were made on two fortified soils and two contaminated field soils. In only two of the cases were consistent significant differences found-for the two most hydrophobic compounds in a high organic carbon soil, and for TCE in a field-contaminated soil that had previously shown slow aqueous VOC desorption. The findings strongly suggest that aqueous extraction-headspace/GC can be used not only to screen soils for VOCs giving same-day results, but often will provide results not significantly different from current laboratory based measurements.