Perchloroethylene Vapor Sorption in Soils and Its Recovery by Extraction

Abstract

Attempts at quantification of gas contents in the determination of volatile organic compounds in soils were made. The static headspace technique and methanol extraction followed by thermal desorption and gas chromatography were compared. Soils with different physicochemical properties were contaminated by treatment with vapour from an aqueous solution of perchloroethylene (PCE) of the concentration 140 mg l⁻¹. Soil spiking in a modified desiccator took place for up to 24 h. After exposure the samples were analyzed within two days. Gas extraction can rapidly provide quantitative data on PCE concentration in soils. The results were not significantly different from those obtained by more expensive and time-consuming liquid extraction.