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Tests for Compounds in Water

Standards for element-specific content testing of wastewater provide standardized test methods for the determination of dissolved and total recoverable element quantities. With standards grouped by those applicable to the testing for a single element, those addressing the testing for multiple elements through a single method, and those which instead test for a compound (or a group of them), these standards provide part of the foundation on which treatment methods are judged upon, and thus must be reliable between labs and technicians.


ASTM D5790-18

Standard Test Method for Measurement of Purgeable Organic Compounds in Water by Capillary Column Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

1.1 This test method covers the identification and simultaneous measurement of purgeable volatile organic compounds. It has been validated for treated drinking water, wastewater, and ground water. This test method is not limited to these particular aqueous matrices; however, the applicability of this test method to other aqueous matrices must be demonstrated. 1.2 This test method is applicable to a wide range of organic compounds that have sufficiently high volatility and low water solubility to be efficiently removed from water samples using purge and trap procedures. Table 1 lists the compounds that have been validated for this test method. This test method is not limited to the compounds listed in Table 1 ; however, the applicability of the test method to other compounds must be demonstrated. 1.3 Analyte concentrations up to approximately 200 g/L may be determined without dilution of the sample. Analytes that are inefficiently purged from water will not be detected when present at low concentrations, but they can be measured with acceptable accuracy and precision when present in sufficient amounts. 1.4 Analytes that are not separated chromatographically, but that have different mass spectra and non-interfering quantitation ions, can be identified and measured in the same calibration mixture or water sample. Analytes that have very similar mass spectra cannot be individually identified and measured in the same calibration mixture or water sample unless they have different retention times. Coeluting compounds with very similar mass spectra, such as structural isomers, must be reported as an isomeric group or pair. Two of the three isomeric xylenes are examples of structural isomers that may not be resolved on the capillary column, and if not, must be reported as an isomeric pair. 1.5 It is the responsibility of the user to ensure the validity of this test method for untested matrices. 1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.


ASTM D6994-15

Standard Test Method for Determination of Metal Cyanide Complexes in Wastewater, Surface Water, Groundwater and Drinking Water Using Anion Exchange Chromatography with UV Detection

1.1 This test method covers the determination of the metal cyanide complexes of iron, cobalt, silver, gold, copper and nickel in waters including groundwaters, surface waters, drinking waters and wastewaters by anion exchange chromatography and UV detection. The use of alkaline sample preservation conditions (see 10.3 ) ensures that all metal cyanide complexes are solubilized and recovered in the analysis ( 1- 3 ) . 2 1.2 Metal cyanide complex concentrations between 0.20 to 200 mg/L may be determined by direct injection of the sample. This range will differ depending on the specific metal cyanide complex analyte, with some exhibiting greater or lesser detection sensitivity than others. Approximate concentration ranges are provided in 12.2 . Concentrations greater than the specific analyte range may be determined after appropriate dilution. This test method is not applicable for matrices with high ionic strength (conductivity greater than 500 meq/L as Cl) and TDS (greater than 30 000 mg/L), such as ocean water. 1.3 Metal cyanide complex concentrations less than 0.200 mg/L may be determined by on-line sample preconcentration coupled with anion exchange chromatography as described in 11.3 . This range will differ depending on the specific metal cyanide complex analyte, with some exhibiting greater or lesser detection sensitivity than others. Approximate concentration ranges are provided in 12.2 . The preconcentration method is not applicable for silver and copper cyanide complexes in matrices with high TDS (greater than 1000 mg/L). 1.4 The test method may also be applied to the determination of additional metal cyanide complexes, such as those of platinum and palladium. However, it is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish the validity of the test method for the determination of cyanide complexes of metals other than those in 1.1 .


ASTM D5257-17

Standard Test Method for Dissolved Hexavalent Chromium in Water by Ion Chromatography

1.1 This test method covers procedures for the determination of dissolved hexavalent chromium in wastewater, surface water, and drinking water. 1.2 The precision and bias of this test method has been tested in reagent water and industrial wastewater and has been found suitable over the range of approximately 1 to 1000 g/L. Higher levels can be determined by appropriate dilution. 1.3 Samples containing very high levels of anionic species (that is, chloride, sulfate, etc.) may cause column overload. Samples containing high levels of reducing species (that is, sulfides, sulfites, etc.) may cause reduction of Cr(VI) to Cr(III). This can be minimized by buffering the sample to a pH of 9 to 9.5, filtering it, storing it at 6 C. A holding time of 28 days may be used if the user can demonstrate that such holding time does not affect sample integrity in accordance with U.S. EPA 40 CFR 136, Part II. 1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard. 1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.6 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.


ASTM D7678-17

Standard Test Method for Total Oil and Grease (TOG) and Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH) in Water and Wastewater with Solvent Extraction using Mid-IR Laser Spectroscopy

This test method covers the determination of total oil and grease (TOG) and total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) in water and waste water that are extractable by this test method from an acidified sample with a cyclic aliphatic hydrocarbon (for example cyclohexane, cyclopentane) and measured by IR absorption in the region from 1370 cm-1 to 1380 cm-1 (7.25 m to 7.30 m) using a mid-IR laser spectrometer. Polar substances are removed by clean-up with Florisil.


ASTM D1426-15(2021)e1

Standard Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water

1.1 These test methods cover the determination of ammonia nitrogen, exclusive of organic nitrogen, in water. Two test methods are included as follows: 1.2 Test Method A is used for the routine determination of ammonia in steam condensates and demineralizer effluents. 1.3 Test Method B is applicable to the determination of ammonia nitrogen in the range from 0.5 to 1000 mg NH 3 N/L directly in reagent and effluent waters. Higher concentrations can be determined following dilution. The reported lower range is based on multiple-operator precision. Lower limits have been obtained by two of the twelve laboratories participating in the round robin. 1.4 Both test methods A and B are applicable to surface and industrial waters and wastewaters following distillation. The test method for distillation given in Appendix X1 has been used in the past to meet requirements for predistillation of samples being analyzed for ammonia. 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 The distillation method now appears as Appendix X1 and is provided as nonmandatory information only. The automated colorimetric phenate method has been discontinued. 1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.


ASTM D5316-98(2017)

Standard Test Method for 1,2-Dibromoethane and 1,2-Dibromo-3-Chloropropane in Water by Microextraction and Gas Chromatography

1.1 This test method covers the determination of 1,2-dibromoethane (commonly referred to as ethylene dibromide or EDB) and 1,2-dibromo-3-chloropropane (commonly referred to as DBCP) in water at a minimum detection level of 0.010 g/L by liquid-liquid extraction combined with gas-liquid chromatography. This test method is applicable to the analysis of drinking waters and groundwaters. It is not recommended for wastewaters, due to the potential for interferences from high concentrations of other extractable organics. Similar information can be found in EPA Method 504. 1.2 This test method was used successfully with reagent water and groundwater. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices. 1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Sections 6 and 9 . 1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.


ASTM D4012-15

Standard Test Method for Adenosine Triphosphate (ATP) Content of Microorganisms in Water

1.1 This test method covers a protocol for capturing, extracting and quantifying the cellular adenosine triphosphate (cATP) content associated with microorganisms normally found in laboratory cultures, waters, wastewaters, and in plankton and periphyton samples from waters. 1.2 The ATP is measured using a bioluminescence enzyme assay, whereby light is generated in amounts proportional to the concentration of ATP in the samples. The light is produced and measured quantitatively as relative light units (RLU) which are converted by comparison with an ATP standard and computation to pg ATP/mL. 1.3 This method does not remove all known chemical interferences, known to either luminesce in the 530 20 nm range, or to quench light emitted in that range. It should not be used to determine ATP concentrations in samples with dissolved organic compounds, heavy metals or 10 000 ppm total dissolved solids. Alternative methods have been developed for determining ATP concentrations in fluids samples likely to contain such interferences (Test Methods D7687 and E2694 ). 1.4 Knowledge of the concentration of ATP can be related to viable biomass or metabolic activity of microorganisms ( Appendix X1 ). 1.5 This test method offers a high degree of sensitivity, rapidity, accuracy, and reproducibility.


ASTM D7066-04(2017)

Standard Test Method for dimer/trimer of chlorotrifluoroethylene (S-316) Recoverable Oil and Grease and Nonpolar Material by Infrared Determination

1.1 This test method covers the determination of oil and grease and nonpolar material in water and wastewater by an infrared (IR) determination of dimer/trimer of chlorotrifluoroethylene (S-316) 2 extractable substances from an acidified sample. Included in this estimation of oil and grease are any other compounds soluble in the solvent. 1.2 This test method is applicable to measurement of the light fuel although loss of some light ends during extraction can be expected. 1.3 This test method defines oil and grease in water and wastewater as that which is extractable in the test method and measured by IR absorption at 2930 cm -1 or 3.4 microns. Similarly, this test method defines nonpolar material in water and wastewater as that oil and grease which is not adsorbed by silica gel in the test method and measured by IR absorption at 2930 cm -1 . 1.4 This test method covers the range of 5 to 100 mg/L and may be extended to a lower or higher level by extraction of a larger or smaller sample volume collected separately. 1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine (Guide D3856 ) the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.


ISO 17858:2007

Water quality - Determination of dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls - Method using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

ISO 17858:2007 specifies a method for the determination of dioxin-like tetra- to hepta-chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in waters and wastewaters (containing less than 1 % suspended solids) using high-resolution gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The minimum levels at which the dioxin-like PCBs can typically be determined with no interferences present are specified. This method is performance based . The analyst is permitted to modify the method to overcome interferences or lower the cost of measurements, provided that all performance criteria in this method are met. The requirements for establishing method equivalency are given.


ISO 17353:2004

Water quality - Determination of selected organotin compounds - Gas chromatographic method

ISO 17353:2004 specifies a method for the identification and quantification of monobutyltin, dibutyltin, tributyltin, tetrabutyltin, monooctyltin, dioctyltin, triphenyltin, tricyclohexyltin compounds and/or cations in drinking water, surface water and wastewater containing not more than 2 g/l of suspended material. The working range is 10 ng/l to 1 000 ng/l. The respective anions are not determined. This method can also be applicable to other compounds such as monomethyltin, dimethyltin, monophenyltin and diphenyltin compounds and/or cations. ISO 17353:2004 is also applicable to marine water.


ISO 18856:2004

Water quality - Determination of selected phthalates using gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

ISO 18856:2004 specifies a method for the determination of phthalates in water after solid phase extraction and gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. This method is applicable to the determination of phthalates in ground water, surface water, wastewater and drinking water in mass concentrations ranging from above 0,02 microgram per litre up to 0,150 microgram per litre, depending on the individual substance and the value of the blank. The applicability of this method to other phthalates not specified is not excluded, but it is necessary to determine its applicability in each case.


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