Methodology for the determination of polychlorinated dibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans in sediment samples

Abstract
The extraction and clean‐up procedures for the determination of polychlorodibenzo‐p‐dioxins and dibenzofurans (PCDD/Fs) in sediment samples have been studied. Sampling and preparation of a quality assurance (QA) sediment sample is also presented. PCDD/Fs in the QA‐ sample were determined by a standard addition procedure. The results from this study were compared with the results from continuous use of the QA‐sample ower two years. Quantified PCDD/Fs congeners were found to be in the range of 0.2–120 pg/g dry weight. Average standard deviation for the 2,3,7,8‐substituted‐PCDD/F congener was 16.5%. A comparison between the Soxhlet extraction using methylene chloride/acetone or toluene showed no significant differences between the extraction efficiency of the solvents mixtures.