ASTM D857-95

Standard Test Method for Aluminum in Water

SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the direct flame atomic absorption determination of aluminum in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame.  
1.2 This test method is applicable to waters containing dissolved and total recoverable aluminum in the range from 0.5 to 5.0 mg/L. Aluminum concentrations as high as approximately 50 mg/L can be determined using this test method without dilution. However, no precision and bias data are available for concentrations greater than 5.0 mg/L.  
1.3 This test method was tested on reagent, natural, and potable waters. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.  
1.4 The same digestion procedure may be used to determine total recoverable nickel (Test Methods D1886), chromium (Test Methods D1687), cobalt (Test Methods D3558), copper (Test Methods D1688), iron (Test Methods D1068), lead (Test Method D3559), manganese (Test Method D858), and zinc (Test Methods D1691).
1.5 Precision and bias data have been obtained on reagent, natural, and potable waters. It is the responsibility of the user to ensure the validity of this test method on untested matrices.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements, see Notes 1, 2, and 4.  
1.6 Former Test Methods A (Fluorometric) and B and C (Spectrophotometric) were discontinued. Refer to Appendix X1 for historical information.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 09-Mar-2002
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.05 - Inorganic Constituents in Water

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D857-02 - Standard Test Method for Aluminum in Water
• Effective Date: 10-Mar-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 857 – 95
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
1
Aluminum in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 857; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
2
1. Scope D 1687 Test Methods for Chromium in Water
2
D 1688 Test Methods for Copper in Water
1.1 This test method covers the direct flame atomic absorp-
2
D 1691 Test Methods for Zinc in Water
tion determination of aluminum in the nitrous oxide-acetylene
2
D 1886 Test Methods for Nickel in Water
flame.
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
1.2 This test method is applicable to waters containing
2
Applicable Methods of Committee D–19 on Water
dissolved and total recoverable aluminum in the range from 0.5
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Con-
to 5.0 mg/L. Aluminum concentrations as high as approxi-
2
duits
mately 50 mg/L can be determined using this test method
2
D 3558 Test Methods for Cobalt in Water
without dilution. However, no precision and bias data are
2
D 3559 Test Method for Lead in Water
available for concentrations greater than 5.0 mg/L.
D 4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Times for Water
1.3 This test method was tested on reagent, natural, and
2
Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
potable waters. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the
validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.
3. Terminology
1.4 The same digestion procedure may be used to determine
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
total recoverable nickel (Test Methods D 1886), chromium
methods, refer to Terminology D 1129.
(Test Methods D 1687), cobalt (Test Methods D 3558), copper
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
(Test Methods D 1688), iron (Test Methods D 1068), lead (Test
3.2.1 total recoverable aluminum—an arbitrary term relat-
Method D 3559), manganese (Test Method D 858), and zinc
ing to the forms of aluminum recovered in the acid digestion
(Test Methods D 1691).
procedure specified in this test method.
1.5 Precision and bias data have been obtained on reagent,
4. Summary of Test Method
natural, and potable waters. It is the responsibility of the user
to ensure the validity of this test method on untested matrices. 4.1 Aluminum is determined by direct atomic absorption
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the with only the addition of an ionization suppressor and sensi-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the tivity enhancer (optional).
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Although there is little information available concerning
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
the toxicological significance of aluminum in man, the Ameri-
statements, see Note 1, Note 2, and Note 3.
can Water Works Association has established a water quality
1.7 Former Test Methods A (Fluorometric) and B and C
guideline or goal of a maximum of 0.05 mg/L. Under the
(Spectrophotometric) were discontinued. Refer to Appendix
National Pollution Discharge Elimination System, some per-
X1 for historical information.
mits may set aluminum discharge limits. Some evidence does
exist to indicate that low levels (5 mg/L) will interfere with
2. Referenced Documents
activated sludge processes. For the above reasons monitoring
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of aluminum may be desirable.
2
D 858 Test Method for Manganese in Water
2 5.2 Aluminum is monitored in boiler make-up water, where
D 1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
alum has been used, to determine whether aluminum is present
2
D 1068 Test Methods for Iron in Water
2 after pretreatment. Residual aluminum may consume ion
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
exchange capacity or consume boiler water treatment chemi-
2
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
cals added to stoichiometrically chelate hardness ions (that is,
calcium and magnesium) in boiler feed water.
1
5.3 Aluminum is monitored in cooling water make-up, since
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic
its presence may result in deactivation of anionic substances in
Constituents in Water.
scale or corrosion inhibitor treatment chemicals, or both.
Current edition approved Feb. 15, 1995. Published April 1995. Originally
Deactivation may resu
...