Analysis of Polychlorinated Biphenyl Mixtures and Establishment of a Parameter Useful for PCB‐Degradation Studies

Abstract

A prerequisite for the study of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is a reliable analytical determination of the substances involved. For this purpose a gas chromatographic (GC) separation method with detection by mass spectrometry (MS) was optimized. In addition, a new parameter-the "weighted average chlorination level"-was established. This forms the basis for a systematic investigation of the reductive dechlorination of PCBs by metals.