Extraction of Chlorinated Hydrocarbon Insecticides from Soils1

Abstract
A Soxhlet procedure is described for the quantitative extraction from soils of γ‐BHC, aldrin, dieldrin, heptachlor epoxide, p,p′‐DDD, p,p′‐DDT, and methoxychlor in mixtures containing all these insecticides. On prolonged equilibration (30 days) of the insecticides with soil, indicatons of γ‐BHC and aldrin degradation were noted. When soils were incubated in sealed containers to restrict O2 availability the rates of γ‐BHC and aldrin degradation were enhanced. No effect of soil H2O content at the time of incubation or extraction on the efficiency of the extraction procedure was found.