FRTR Field Sampling and Analysis Technologies Reference Guide

9 SAMPLE ANALYSIS TOOLS for EXPLOSIVES

9.1 EX-SITU ANALYSIS

9.1.8 Immunoassay Colorimetric Kits

Use:

Field screening of individual contaminants. Safe for thermally sensitive compounds.

See 7.1.6 for use with metals and 6.2.20 for use with VOCs, SVOCs, and pesticides.

Description:

Immunoassay technology relies on an antibody that is developed to have a high degree of sensitivity to the target compound. This antibody's high specificity is coupled within a sensitive colorimetric reaction that provides a visual result. The intensity of the color formed is inversely proportional to the concentration of the target analyte in the sample. The absence/determination is made by comparing the color developed by a sample of unknown concentration to the color formed with the standard containing the analyte at a known concentration.

Analytes:

10. Explosives

Media:

Soil/Sediment	Water	Gas/Air
Requires extraction to liquid phase	BETTER	Not Applicable

Selectivity:	Technique measures the contaminant indirectly.
Susceptibility to Interference:	Medium.
Detection Limits :	10-100 ppm (soil); 0.5-10 ppm (water).
Turnaround Time per Sample:	Minutes.

Applicable To:
Screen/Identify	Characterize Concentration/Extent	Cleanup Performance	Long-Term Monitoring
BETTER	ADEQUATE	ADEQUATE	BETTER

Quantitative Data Capability:	Data become quantitative with additional effort.
Technology Status:	Commercially available and routinely used field technology.
Certification/Verification:	Technology has not participated in CalEPA certification and/or CSCT verification program.
Relative Cost per Analysis:	Least expensive.

Limitations:

Not applicable for all classes of small, environmentally significant molecules; for example, long chain aliphatic hydrocarbon compounds and most transition metals.
Temperature extremes can affect test results; the operational temperature ranges are typically between 40°F and 100°F.
Can be affected by specific matrix conditions. For example, analyte recovery for analytes like PCB and PAH can be affected by excessive soil moisture.
Percent levels of oil can result in false positive results.
Proper procedures should be used when analyzing for shock sensitive compounds.

EPA Methods:

4050	TNT Explosives in Soil by Immunoassay.
4051	RDX in Soil by Immunoassay.

Sample Access/Collection Matrix

Sample Analysis Matrix

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