Method 8081B Water

Organochlorine Pesticides by Gas Chromatography


This method is for the determination of various organochlorine pesticides from aqueous matrices.  The sample is extracted with methylene chloride using a separatory funnel (Method 3510), continuous liquid-liquid extraction (Method 3520), solid-phase extraction (Method 3535), or other appropriate technique.  Cleanup of the extract may be needed to remove matrix interferences prior to analysis.   Appropriate cleanups include alumina (Method 3610), Florisil (Method 3620), silica gel (Method 3630), gel permeation chromatography (Method 3640), and sulfur (Method 3660).  The sample is analyzed by GC/ECD (electron capture detector) and any positive detects are confirmed with use of a second column.

This revision of Method 8081 no longer includes the PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls) as Aroclors in the list of target analytes.  The analysis of PCBs should be undertaken using Method 8082, which includes specific cleanup and quantitation procedures designed for PCB analysis. Please note,

NOTE:  Method 8080 has been replaced by Methods 8081B and 8082.  This method replaces Methods 8081 and 8081A.


(EPA SW-846)

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Method Data

Hold Times, Preservatives, Preps, Collection, Analytical & Documentation
Holding Time:   7 days from sampling to extraction and 40 days from extraction to analysis
Preservatives:   Cool samples to ≤ 6°C. If residual chlorine is present add 3mL of 10% sodium thiosulfate solution per gallon of sample (0.008%).
Required Preps:   1L amber glass bottle
Collection Method:   Grab sampling, SW-846 Chapter 2, Table 2-36
Analytical Methodology:   GC/ECD
Documentation:   8081B

Analyte List*

Analyte Formula CAS Number Detection Limit
Heptachlor epoxide
C10H5Cl7O
1024-57-3
0.02
 µg/L
Endosulfan sulfate
C9H6Cl6O4S
1031-07-8
0.04
 µg/L
Hexachlorobenzene
C6Cl6
118-74-1
0.04
 µg/L
Diallate
C10H17Cl2NOS
2303-16-4
0.04
 µg/L
Aldrin
C12H8Cl6
309-00-2
0.02
 µg/L
alpha-BHC
C6H6Cl6
319-84-6
0.02
 µg/L
beta-BHC
C6H6Cl6
319-85-7
0.02
 µg/L
delta-BHC
C6H6Cl6
319-86-8
0.02
 µg/L
Endosulfan II
C9H6Cl6O3S
33213-65-9
0.04
 µg/L
Isodrin
465-73-6
0.04
 µg/L
4,4'-DDT
C14H9Cl5
50-29-3
0.04
 µg/L
Chlorobenzilate (Acaraben)
C16H14Cl2O3
510-15-6
0.04
 µg/L
alpha-Chlordane
C10H6Cl8
5103-71-9
0.02
 µg/L
gamma-Chlordane
C10H6Cl8
5103-74-2
0.02
 µg/L
Endrin ketone
53494-70-5
0.04
 µg/L
Chlordane
C10H6Cl8
57-74-9
0.25
 µg/L
gamma-BHC (Lindane)
C6H6Cl6
58-89-9
0.02
 µg/L
Dieldrin
C12H8Cl6O
60-57-1
0.04
 µg/L
Endrin
C12H8Cl6O
72-20-8
0.04
 µg/L
Methoxychlor
C16H15Cl3O2
72-43-5
0.2
 µg/L
4,4'-DDD
C14H10Cl4
72-54-8
0.04
 µg/L
4,4'-DDE
C14H8Cl4
72-55-9
0.04
 µg/L
Endrin aldehyde
C12H8Cl6O
7421-93-4
0.04
 µg/L
Heptachlor
C10H5Cl7
76-44-8
0.02
 µg/L
Hexachlorocyclopentadiene
C5Cl6
77-47-4
0.04
 µg/L
Toxaphene
C10H10Cl8
8001-35-2
1
 µg/L
Endosulfan I
C9H6Cl6O3S
959-98-8
0.02
 µg/L
1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane
C3H5Br2Cl
96-12-8
0.04
 µg/L

* The analytes and detection limits listed for each method represent the typical detection limits and analytes reported for that particular method. Keep in mind that analyte lists may vary from laboratory to laboratory. Detection limits may also vary from lab to lab and are dependent upon the sample size, matrix, and any interferences that may be present in the sample.