Abstract

The usual methods to determine organohalogenic compounds such as extractable organohalogens (EOX), adsorbable organohalogens (AOX) and purgeable organohalogens (POX) do not measure all polar compounds. A procedure is developed for the coulometric measurement of polar compounds in water. Samples with polar compounds are acidified to pH 1,5 and adsorbed on the resin XAD-4. The inorganic halogens are removed by washing with nitrate solution. The XAD-4 columns are eluted with acetone. After combustion of the organohalogens in a furnace, the halogen content is measured coulometrically. The procedure is tested with trichloroacetic iced (TCA). The recovery by the AOX determination was about 25%, whereas the recovery by the new procedure was about 100%.