Gas chromatographic determination of picloram in fish

A simple method for determining picloram in fish is described. The sample is homogenized with ethyl acetate, acidified with 1N HCl, and extracted twice more with ethyl acetate. Ethyl acetate fractions are pooled, derivatized with diazomethane, cleaned up by column chromatography, and analyzed by electron capture gas chromatography. Rainbow trout exposed to 14C-picloram were used to evaluate the efficiency of 2 methods of extraction and to provide data on the rate of uptake and the bioconcentration factor. The detection limit for this method is 5 ng/g, using a 4 g sample.