Chlorobiphenyls in marine sediments: Guidelines for determination.

Abstract

The analysis of chlorinated biphenyls in sediments generally includes extraction with organic solvents, clean-up, removal of sulphur, colullUl fractionation and gas chromatographic separation, mostly with electron capture detection. All of the steps in the procedure are susceptible to insufficient recovery and/or contamination. Different methods applied to each of these steps are discussed with their advantages and disadvantages. Where possible, quality control procedures are recommended in order to check the method's performance. Gas chromatographic conditions are discussed with regard to injection, separation, detection and system performance. In addition, the quality control aspects relating to calibrants, extraction, and clean-up are considered. These guidelines are intended to encourage and assist analytical chemists to critically (re)consider their methods and to improve their procedures and/or the associated quality control measures, where necessary.