The 317/319 groundwater chemical analyses were performed using SOPs written, reviewed, and
issued as controlled documents by members of the ESH-DACH. These SOPs reference protocols
found in SW-846, 3rd edition, "Test Methods for Evaluating Solid Waste."9 Sixteen metals were
routinely determined. Ten were measured using inductively coupled plasma atomic emission
spectroscopy and five by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mercury was
determined by cold vapor atomic absorption spectroscopy. Chloride was determined by
titrimetry. VOCs were determined by using a purge and trap sample pretreatment followed by
gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy detection. SVOCs were determined by solvent
extraction followed by gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy detection. PCB/pesticides were
determined by solvent extraction followed by gas chromatography-electron capture detection. In
the case of organic compound analyses, efforts were made to identify compounds that were
present but not included on the method list. This was accomplished and standard solutions of
these compounds were prepared and analyzed.
The 317/319 groundwater radiological analyses were performed using SOPs written, reviewed, and issued as controlled documents by members of the ESH-DARC. Cesium-137 was determined by gamma-ray spectrometry. Hydrogen-3 was determined by distillation followed by a beta liquid scintillation counting technique. Strontium-90 was determined by an ion-exchange separation followed by a proportional counting technique.
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