ASTM D1426-08

Standard Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Nitrogen is a nutrient in the environment and is necessary to sustain growth of most organisms. It exists in several forms such as nitrate, nitrite, organic nitrogen such as proteins or amino acids, and ammonia.
Ammonia is a colorless, gaseous compound with a sharp distinctive odor. It is highly soluble in water where it exists in a molecular form associated with water and in an ionized form as NH4+. The extent of association or ionization is dependent on the temperature and pH. It may also be toxic to aquatic life. The extent of toxicity is dependent upon species and extent of dissociation. Ammonia may occur in water as a product of anaerobic decomposition of nitrogen containing compounds or from waste streams containing ammonia.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of ammonia nitrogen, exclusive of organic nitrogen, in water. Two test methods are included as follows:
  Sections  Test Method A—Direct Nesslerization 7 to 15  Test Method B—Ion Selective Electrode16 to 24
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 NH3N/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 and health 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.  
7.1 This test method is suitable for the rapid routine determination of ammonia nitrogen in steam condensates and demineralized water. See Appendix X1 for the distillation test method.  
16.1 This test method is applicable to the measurement of ammonia in reagent and effluent water.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Aug-2008
• 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: D1426 − 08
StandardTest Methods for
1
Ammonia Nitrogen In Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1426; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of ammonia
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
nitrogen, exclusive of organic nitrogen, in water. Two test
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
methods are included as follows:
D1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam
Sections
3
in Closed Conduits (Withdrawn 2003)
Test Method A—Direct Nesslerization 7 to 15
Test Method B—Ion Selective Electrode 16 to 24
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
1.2 Test Method A is used for the routine determination of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
ammonia in steam condensates and demineralizer effluents.
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
1.3 Test Method B is applicable to the determination of
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
ammonia nitrogen in the range from 0.5 to 1000 mg NH N/L D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
3
directly in reagent and effluent waters. Higher concentrations for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
can be determined following dilution. The reported lower
Materials by Spectrophotometry
range is based on multiple-operator precision. Lower limits
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of
have been obtained by two of the twelve laboratories partici-
Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
pating in the round robin.
4
2.2 APHA Standard :
1.4 Both test methodsAand B are applicable to surface and
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste
industrial waters and wastewaters following distillation. The
Water
test method for distillation given in Appendix X1 has been
used in the past to meet requirements for predistillation of 3. Terminology
samples being analyzed for ammonia.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
methods, refer to Terminology D1129.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4. Significance and Use
standard.
4.1 Nitrogen is a nutrient in the environment and is neces-
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
sary to sustain growth of most organisms. It exists in several
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
forms such as nitrate, nitrite, organic nitrogen such as proteins
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
or amino acids, and ammonia.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.2 Ammoniaisacolorless,gaseouscompoundwithasharp
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
distinctive odor. It is highly soluble in water where it exists in
1.7 The distillation method now appears as Appendix X1
a molecular form associated with water and in an ionized form
+
and is provided as nonmandatory information only. The auto-
as NH . The extent of association or ionization is dependent
4
mated colorimetric phenate method has been discontinued.
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
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic the ASTM website.
3
Constituents in Water. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2008. Published September 2008. Originally www.astm.org.
4
approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D1426 – 03. DOI: Available from American Public Health Association, 800 I St. N.W.,
10.1520/D1426-08. Washington, DC 20001, http://www.apha.org.
*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 ----------------------
D1426 − 08
on the temperature and pH. It may also be toxic to aquatic life. Nessler’s reagent to give the characteristic yellow color in the
The extent of toxicity is dependent upon species and extent of time required for the test. Simil
...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D 1426–03 Designation:D1426–08
Standard Test Methods for
1
Ammonia Nitrogen In Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 1426; 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 Department of Defense.
1. Scope *
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of ammonia nitrogen, exclusive of organic nitrogen, in water.Two test methods
are included as follows:
Sections
Test Method A—Direct Nesslerization 7 to 15
Test Method B—Ion Selective Electrode 16 to 24
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 N/L directly
3
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
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
1.6The1.7 The distillation method now appears as Appendix X1 and is provided as nonmandatory information only. The
automated colorimetric phenate method has been discontinued.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam in Closed Conduits
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
2
D 3370Practices for Sampling Water Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D 5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
D 5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
E 60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials by Molecular Absorption Spectrometry
E 275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near-Infrared Spectrophotometers
3
2.2 APHA Standard :
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste WaterWater
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents
in Water.
Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D1426–98.
Current edition approved Aug. 15, 2008. Published September 2008. Originally approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D 1426 – 03.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
, Vol 11.01.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
3
Available from American Public Health Association, 800 I St. N.W., Washington, DC 20001, http://www.apha.org.
*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 ----------------------
D1426–08
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test methods, refer to Terminology D 1129.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 Nitrogen is a nutrient in the environment and is necessary to sustain growth of most organisms. It exists in several forms
such as nitrate, nitrite, organic nitrogen such as proteins or amino acids, and ammonia.
4.2 Ammonia is a colorle
...