Chemical Analysis of Explosives

Analytical testing dots
Explosives Chemical Analysis

ALS Environmental provides a comprehensive approach to explosives analysis. ALS Environmental chemists use the following technologies and procedures to enhance our low-level explosives analysis:

  • Solid Phase Extraction (SPE)
  • Diode Array Detector (DAD)
  • Second Column/Detector Confirmation

Analytical testing dotsSolid Phase Extraction (SPE)

Explosives AnalysisSolid Phase Extraction technology allows for extremely efficient extractions, consistently achieving early 100% recoveries for all analytes. This is a marked improvement over the salting-out liquid-liquid extraction proposed in EPA Method 8330. SPE technology also allows the analyst to process samples using minimal solvent, in keeping with current waste minimization programs.

Analytical testing dots

Diode Array Detector (DAD)

Diode Array Detector technology allows the analyst to enhance overall data quality by performing peak purity analysis and acquisition of UV spectra for spectral confirmation.

Analytical testing dots

Second Column/Detector Confirmation

Second Column/Detector Confirmation is required by EPA methods. ALS Environmental employs CN column
confirmation supplemented by GC/MS for confirmation of detections above the MRL.

Analytical testing dots

EPA Method 8330 - Method Detection Limits (MDLs)

Analytes Soil (mg/Kg) Water (μg/L) Tissue (mg/Kg)
Octahydro-1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazocine (HMX) 0.07 0.5 0.05
Hexahydro-1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazine (RDX) 0.2 0.4 0.08
1,3,5-Trinitrobenzene 0.09 0.4 0.05
Methyl-2,4,6-trinitrophenylnitramine (Tetryl) 0.2 0.4 0.07
1,3-Dinitrobenzene 0.09 0.3 0.06
Nitrobenzene 0.1 0.5 0.06
4-Amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene 0.1 0.5 0.05
2-Amino-2,6-dinitrotoluene 0.1 0.5 0.08
2,6-Dinitrotoluene 0.1 0.4 0.08
2,4-Dinitrotoluene 0.06 0.3 0.08
2-Nitrotoluene 0.09 0.3 0.05
4-Nitrotoluene 0.1 0.5 0.2
3-Nitrotoluene 0.08 0.3 0.1
ALS Environmental SOP* HPLC Method Detection Limits (MDLs)
Nitroguanidine 34 2 -
EPA Method 8330M Method Detection Limits (MDLs)
Picramic Acid 0.3 3 -
Picric Acid 0.04 0.5 -
EPA Method 8332 Method Detection Limits (MDLs)
Nitroglycerin 0.5 0.7 1
Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate 0.5 0.8 1

 

Analytical testing dots

ALS Environmental's Middletown, PA laboratory also offers explosives by Method 8330B. Learn more about their capabilities…

Learn more about Method 8330B…

Learn more about Explosives Testing...