1.1 This practice describes standard procedures for extracting nonvolatile and semivolatile organic compounds from solids such as soils, sediments, sludges, and granular wastes using Soxhlet extraction.

1.1.1 The sample must be suitable for being mixed with the sample drying agent, sodium sulfate or magnesium sulfate, to provide drying of all sample surfaces.

1.2 This practice, when used in conjunction with Test Method D5368 is applicable to the determination of the total solvent extractable content (TSEC) of a soil, sediment, sludge, or granular solid waste and depends upon the solvent chosen for extraction.

1.3 This practice is limited to solvents having boiling points below the boiling point of water at ambient pressure.

1.4 The solvent extract obtained by this practice may be analyzed for total or specific nonvolatile and semivolatile organic compounds but may require sample clean-up procedures prior to specific compound analysis.

1.4.1 This practice provides sample extracts suitable for analysis by various techniques such as gas chromatography with flame ionization detection (GC/FID) or gas chromatography with mass spectrometric detection (GC/MS).

1.5 This practice is recommended only for solid samples that can pass through a 10-mesh sieve (approximately 2-mm openings), or are less than 2 mm in thickness.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific precautions see Section 9.