Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with a cooled temperature-programmable injector was used to analyze picogram amounts of explosives in water. The analyzed explosives included 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 2,4,6-N-tetranitro-N-methylaniline (Tetryl), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazacyclohexane (RDX), 1,3,5,7-tetranitro-1,3,5,7-tetrazacyclooctane (HMX), pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) and a series of dinitrotoluene (DNT) isomers (which are ingredients of explosives). Thermal decomposition, even in the thermolabile explosives, was minimal. Traces of explosives in water in the range of 5-100 ppb could be detected and identified.