ASTM D516-16

Standard Test Method for Sulfate Ion in Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The determination of sulfate is important because it has been reported that when this ion is present in excess of about 250 mg/L in drinking water, it causes a cathartic action (especially in children) in the presence of sodium and magnesium, and gives a bad taste to the water.  
5.2 Test Method D4327 (“Test Method of Anions in Water by Suppressed Ion Chromatography”) may be used.
SCOPE
1.1 This turbidimetric test method covers the determination of sulfate in water in the range from 5 to 40 mg/L of sulfate ion (SO4−−).  
1.2 This test method was used successfully with drinking, ground, and surface waters. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.  
1.3 Former gravimetric and volumetric test methods have been discontinued. Refer to Appendix X1 for historical information.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.5 This standard does not purport to address 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-May-2016
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.05 - Inorganic Constituents in Water

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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D516 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Sulfate Ion in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D516; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
1.1 This turbidimetric test method covers the determination
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
of sulfate in water in the range from 5 to 40 mg/L of sulfate ion
−− Materials by Spectrophotometry
(SO ).
4
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of
1.2 This test method was used successfully with drinking,
Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
ground, and surface waters. It is the user’s responsibility to
ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested
3. Terminology
matrices.
3.1 Definitions:
1.3 Former gravimetric and volumetric test methods have
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
been discontinued. Refer to Appendix X1 for historical infor- Terminology D1129.
mation.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.1 Sulfate ion is converted to a barium sulfate suspension
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
under controlled conditions. A solution containing glycerin and
standard.
sodium chloride is added to stabilize the suspension and
1.5 This standard does not purport to address the safety
minimize interferences. The resulting turbidity is determined
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
by a nephelometer, spectrophotometer, or photoelectric colo-
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
rimeter and compared to a curve prepared from standard sulfate
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
solutions.
limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents
5.1 The determination of sulfate is important because it has
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
been reported that when this ion is present in excess of about
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
250 mg/L in drinking water, it causes a cathartic action
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
(especially in children) in the presence of sodium and
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
magnesium, and gives a bad taste to the water.
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
5.2 Test Method D4327 (“Test Method of Anions in Water
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
by Suppressed Ion Chromatography”) may be used.
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D4327 Test Method for Anions in Water by Suppressed Ion
6. Interferences
Chromatography
6.1 Insoluble suspended matter in the sample must be
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
removed. Dark colors that cannot be compensated for in the
procedure interfere with the measurement of suspended barium
sulfate (BaSO ).
1
4
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents
6.2 Polyphosphates as low as 1 mg/L will inhibit barium
in Water.
sulfate precipitation causing a negative interference. Phospho-
Current edition approved June 1, 2016. Published June 2016. Originally
nates present in low concentrations, depending on the type of
approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D516 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/D0516-16.
phosphonate, will also cause a negative interference. Silica in
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
excess of 500 mg/L may precipitate along with the barium
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
sulfate causing a positive interference. Chloride in excess of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. 5000 mg/L will cause a negative interference. Aluminum,
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D516 − 16
polymers, and large quantities of organic material present in mL 95 % ethanol or isopropanol and 75 g sodium chloride
the test sample may cause the barium sulfate to precipitate (NaCl) in a container. Add 50 mL glycerol and mix.
−−
nonuniformly. In the presence of organic matter certain bacte-
8.5 Sulfate Solution, Standard (1 m
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D516 − 11 D516 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Sulfate Ion in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D516; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope*
1.1 This turbidimetric test method covers the determination of sulfate in water in the range from 5 to 40 mg/L of sulfate ion
−−
(SO ).
4
1.2 This test method was used successfully with drinking, ground, and surface waters. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure
the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.
1.3 Former gravimetric and volumetric test methods have been discontinued. Refer to Appendix X1 for historical information.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D4327 Test Method for Anions in Water by Suppressed Ion Chromatography
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by Spectrophotometry
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D1129. For definitions of terms used in this test
method, refer to Terminology D1129.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Sulfate ion is converted to a barium sulfate suspension under controlled conditions. A solution containing glycerin and
sodium chloride is added to stabilize the suspension and minimize interferences. The resulting turbidity is determined by a
nephelometer, spectrophotometer, or photoelectric colorimeter and compared to a curve prepared from standard sulfate solutions.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The determination of sulfate is important because it has been reported that when this ion is present in excess of about 250
mg/L in drinking water, it causes a cathartic action (especially in children) in the presence of sodium and magnesium, and gives
a bad taste to the water.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents in Water.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011June 1, 2016. Published September 2011June 2016. Originally approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 20072011 as
D516 – 07.D516 – 11. DOI: 10.1520/D0516-11.10.1520/D0516-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D516 − 16
5.2 Test Method D4327 (“Test Method of Anions in Water by Suppressed Ion Chromatography”) may be used.
6. Interferences
6.1 Insoluble suspended matter in the sample must be removed. Dark colors that cannot be compensated for in the procedure
interfere with the measurement of suspended barium sulfate (BaSO ).
4
6.2 Polyphosphates as low as 1 mg/L will inhibit barium sulfate precipitation causing a negative interference. Phosphonates
present in low concentrations, depending on the type of phosphonate, will also cause a negative interference. Silica in excess of
500 mg/L may precipitate along with the barium sulfate causing a positiv
...