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View Actual EPA Method 3561 (PDF File)
EPA Method 3561:SUPERCRITICAL FLUID EXTRACTION OF POLYNUCLEAR AROMATIC HYDROCARBONS
Summary:The method is divided into three discrete steps. The extraction conditions for the first two steps are designed to ensure the best recovery for the range of volatilities found among the PAHs. The third step is used as a final sweep of modifier within the system. It should be noted that the separation of the PAHs into the two arbitrary classes of the "more volatile PAHs" (step 1) and the "lesser volatile PAHs" (step 2) is not a clean separation of compounds, but a rough group separation depending upon the actual compounds and their relative abundance in the sample matrix. The net sum of the two groups is recombined in the end and thus empirically does not depend upon a discrete definition or naming of the compounds in each group.
Scope:Method 3561 describes the use of supercritical fluids for the extraction of polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) from soils, sediments, fly ash, solid-phase extraction media, and other solid materials which are amenable to extraction with conventional solvents. This method is suitable for use with any supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) system that allows extraction conditions (e.g., pressure, temperature, flow rate) to be adjusted to achieve extraction of the PAHs from the matrices of concern.
Report Number:SW-846 Ch 4.2.1