ASTM D1426-15

Standard Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water

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 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.4 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 – 16  
Test Method B—Ion Selective Electrode  
17 – 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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Mar-2015
• 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 − 15
Standard Test 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope* ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of ammonia
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
nitrogen, exclusive of organic nitrogen, in water. Two test
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
methods are included as follows:
Sections
2. Referenced Documents
Test Method A—Direct Nesslerization 7–16
2
Test Method B—Ion Selective Electrode 17–24
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
1.2 Test Method A is used for the routine determination of
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
ammonia in steam condensates and demineralizer effluents.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1.3 Test Method B is applicable to the determination of
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
ammonia nitrogen in the range from 0.5 to 1000 mg NH N/L
3
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
directly in reagent and effluent waters. Higher concentrations
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
can be determined following dilution. The reported lower
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
range is based on multiple-operator precision. Lower limits
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
have been obtained by two of the twelve laboratories partici-
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
pating in the round robin.
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
1.4 Both test methodsAand B are applicable to surface and
Materials by Spectrophotometry
industrial waters and wastewaters following distillation. The
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of
test method for distillation given in Appendix X1 has been
Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
3
used in the past to meet requirements for predistillation of
2.2 APHA Standard:
samples being analyzed for ammonia.
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste
Water
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3. Terminology
standard.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
methods, refer to Terminology D1129.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Significance and Use
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.1 Nitrogen is a nutrient in the environment and is neces-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
sary to sustain growth of most organisms. It exists in several
1.7 The distillation method now appears as Appendix X1
forms such as nitrate, nitrite, organic nitrogen such as proteins
and is provided as nonmandatory information only. The auto-
or amino acids, and ammonia.
mated colorimetric phenate method has been discontinued.
4.2 Ammoniaisacolorless,gaseouscompoundwithasharp
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
distinctive odor. It is highly soluble in water where it exists in
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
a molecular form associated with water and in an ionized form
1 2
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
Constituents in Water. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved March 15, 2015. Published April 2015. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D1426 – 08. DOI: AvailablefromAmericanPublicHealthAssociation,800ISt.NW,Washington,
10.1520/D1426-15. 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 − 15
+
as NH . The extent of association or ionization is dependent 9. Interferences
4
on the temperature and pH. It may also be toxic to aquatic
...

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: D1426 − 08 D1426 − 15
Standard Test 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 U.S. Department of Defense.
1. Scope 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 A—Direct Nesslerization 7 – 16
Test Method B—Ion Selective Electrode 16 to 24
Test Method B—Ion Selective Electrode 17 – 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 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
3
D1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam in Closed Conduits (Withdrawn 2003)
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
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
2.2 APHA StandardStandard: :
Standard Methods Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water
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 Aug. 15, 2008March 15, 2015. Published September 2008April 2015. Originally approved in 1956. Last previous edition approved in 20032008
as D1426 – 03.D1426 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/D1426-08.10.1520/D1426-15.
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.
3
Available from American Public Health Association, 800 I St. N.W.,NW, 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 − 15
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in these test methods, refer to Terminology D1129.
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 colorless, gaseous compound with a sharp distinctive odor. It is highly
...