methodology can result in significantly reduced
Diagnostics Corporation (SDI), Newark, Delaware
costs. Often 70 to 90% of the soil samples analyzed
(telephone 302-456-6789): EnSys RISc, DTECH,
during an explosives site investigation do not con-
Idetek Quantix, EnviroGard, and Ohmicron RaPID
tain detectable levels of contamination.
Assay. At the time of publication, only the EnSys
Two basic types of on-site analytical methods
RISc and DTECH kits are being offered on a rou-
are in wide use for explosives in soil: colorimetric
tine basis. Discussions with SDI indicate that some
and immunoassay. The CRREL and EnSys colori-
of the other kits may be available by special order
metric methods detect broad classes of compounds
in the future, but potential customers are advised
such as nitroaromatics or nitramines, while immu-
to contact SDI for up-to-date information.
noassay methods and the ENVIROL colorimetric
Also, the ENVIROL TNT test became available
method are more compound specific. Because TNT
and some information obtained from ENVIROL,
or RDX is usually present in explosives-contami-
Inc., has been inserted in this document. ENVIROL
nated soils, the use of procedures designed to de-
indicates that they are in the process of develop-
tect only these or similar compounds can be very
ing a colorimetric RDX test and that it will be avail-
effective.
able in spring 1998.
Selection of an on-site analytical method in-
volves evaluation of many factors, including the
specific objectives of the study, compounds of in-
LITERATURE CITED
terest and other explosives present at the site, the
number of samples to be run, the sample analysis
Abraham, B.M., T. Liu, and A. Robbat, Jr. (1993)
rate, interferences or cross reactivity of the method,
Data comparison study between field and labora-
the skill required, analytical costs per sample, and
tory detection of polychlorinated biphenyls and
the need for and availability of support facilities
polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons at Superfund
or services or both. Another factor that may be
sites. Hazardous Waste and Hazardous Materials, 10:
considered is the precision and accuracy of the on-
461473.
site analytical method, but it should be remem-
Adams, J.W., E.R. Cespedes, S.S. Cooper, W.M.
bered that analytical error is generally small com-
Davis, W.J. Buttner, and W .C. Vickers (1995)
pared to field error, and that the precision and ac-
Development and testing of cone penetrometer
curacy of a method is dependent on the site (com-
sensor probe for in-situ detection of explosive con-
pounds present and relative concentration) and the
taminants. In Field Screening Methods for Hazard-
specific objectives (the question being asked).
ous Wastes and Toxic Chemicals, VIP-47, Air and
Modifications to on-site methods may be able
Waste Management Association, Pittsburgh, Penn-
to improve method performance. In most cases, a
sylvania, 1: 491501.
larger soil sample can be extracted to improve the
AEC (1994) Standard comments for health and
representativeness of the analytical sample. Also,
safety document review. Memorandum for record,
with heavy soils or soils with high organic matter
SFIM-AEC-TSS, 18 July 1994, U.S. Army Environ-
content, conducting a short-term kinetic study
mental Center, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Mary-
may be useful to determine whether a 3-minute
land.
extraction period is adequate. The shaking and
AOAC (1990) Munitions residues in soil, liquid
extraction phase of all on-site methods should last
chromatographic method, official first action, Sep-
at least 3 minutes. In all cases, a portion of the on-
tember 1990, Method 991.09, Second Supplement
site analytical results should be confirmed by us-
to the 15th Edition of Official Methods of Analy-
ing a standard laboratory method. With appropri-
sis. Association of Official Analytical Chemists, p.
ate use, on-site analytical methods are a valuable
7880.
tool for characterization of soils at hazardous
ASTM (1990) Standard test method for analysis
waste sites and monitoring soil remediation
of nitroaromatic and nitramine explosives in soil
operations.
by high performance liquid chromatography, D
5143. American Society for Testing and Materials,
West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
ASTM (1996) Standard practice for generation of
POSTSCRIPT
environmental data related to waste management
During the preparation of this report, a series
activities: Development of data quality objectives,
of corporate mergers have taken place, and the
D 5792. American Society for Testing and Materi-
following kits are now the property of Strategic
als, Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
26
Previous Page
