Standard Test Methods for Selenium in Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
In most natural waters selenium concentrations seldom exceed 10 μg/L. However, the runoff from certain types of seleniferous soils at various times of the year can produce concentrations as high as several hundred micrograms per litre. Additionally, industrial contamination can be a significant source of selenium in rivers and streams.
High concentrations of selenium in drinking water have been suspected of being toxic to animal life. Selenium is a priority pollutant and all public water agencies are required to monitor its concentration.  
These test methods determine the dominant species of selenium reportedly found in most natural and wastewaters, including selenities, selenates, and organo-selenium compounds.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of dissolved and total recoverable selenium in most waters and wastewaters. Both test methods utilize atomic absorption procedures, as follows:
Sections
Test Method A—Gaseous Hydride AAS  7 to 16 Test Method B—Graphite Furnace AAS17 to 26
1.2 These test methods are applicable to both inorganic and organic forms of dissolved selenium. They are applicable also to particulate forms of the element, provided that they are solubilized in the appropriate acid digestion step. However, certain selenium-containing heavy metallic sediments may not undergo digestion.
1.3 These test methods are most applicable within the following ranges:
Test Method A—Gaseous Hydride AAS 1 to 20 μg/L Test Method B—Graphite Furnace AAS2 to 100 μg/L
These ranges may be extended (with a corresponding loss in precision) by decreasing the sample size or diluting the original sample, but concentrations much greater than the upper limits are more conveniently determined by flame atomic absorption spectrometry.
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 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 11.12 and 13.14.  
7.1 This test method covers the determination of dissolved and total recoverable selenium in the range from 1 to 20 μg/L. The range may be extended by decreasing the sample size or diluting the original sample.
7.2 This test method has been used successfully with reagent water, natural water, wastewater, and brines. The information on precision may not apply to waters of other matrices.  
17.1 This test method includes the determination of dissolved and total recoverable selenium in the range from 2 to 100 μg/L. The range may be extended by decreasing the sample size or diluting the original sample.
17.2 This test method has been used successfully with reagent water, waste treatment plant effluent, tap water, well water, and treated wood plant effluent. The information on precision may not apply to waters of other matrices.

General Information

Status
Historical
Publication Date
30-Sep-2008
Technical Committee
Current Stage
Ref Project

Relations

Buy Standard

Standard
ASTM D3859-08 - Standard Test Methods for Selenium in Water
English language
11 pages
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview
Standard
REDLINE ASTM D3859-08 - Standard Test Methods for Selenium in Water
English language
11 pages
sale 15% off
Preview
sale 15% off
Preview

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: D3859 − 08
StandardTest Methods for
1
Selenium in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3859; 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.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
3
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of dissolved
2.1 ASTM Standards:
andtotalrecoverableseleniuminmostwatersandwastewaters.
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
Both test methods utilize atomic absorption procedures, as
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
follows:
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
Sections
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
2
Test Method A—Gaseous Hydride AAS 7to16 D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
Test Method B—Graphite Furnace AAS 17 to 26
D3919 Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by
1.2 These test methods are applicable to both inorganic and
Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
organic forms of dissolved selenium. They are applicable also
D4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water
to particulate forms of the element, provided that they are
Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
solubilized in the appropriate acid digestion step. However,
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
certain selenium-containing heavy metallic sediments may not
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
undergo digestion.
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
1.3 These test methods are most applicable within the
3. Terminology
following ranges:
Test Method A—Gaseous Hydride 1to20µg/L
3.1 Definitions:
2
AAS
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these test methods,
Test Method B—Graphite Furnace 2 to 100 µg/L
AAS refer to Terminology D1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
These ranges may be extended (with a corresponding loss in
precision)bydecreasingthesamplesizeordilutingtheoriginal
3.2.1 total recoverable selenium—an arbitrary analytical
sample, but concentrations much greater than the upper limits
term relating to the recoverable forms of selenium that are
are more conveniently determined by flame atomic absorption
determinable by the digestion procedures included in these test
spectrometry.
methods.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Significance and Use
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
4.1 In most natural waters selenium concentrations seldom
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
exceed 10 µg/L. However, the runoff from certain types of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
seleniferous soils at various times of the year can produce
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
concentrationsashighasseveralhundredmicrogramsperlitre.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Additionally, industrial contamination can be a significant
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
source of selenium in rivers and streams.
statements, see 11.12 and 13.14.
4.2 High concentrations of selenium in drinking water have
been suspected of being toxic to animal life. Selenium is a
priority pollutant and all public water agencies are required to
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
monitor its concentration.
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic
Constituents in Water.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D3859 – 03. DOI:
3
10.1520/D3859-08. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
2
Lansford, M., McPherson, E. M., and Fishman, M. J., Atomic Absorption contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Newsletter, Vol 13(4), 1974, pp. 103–105. Pollack, E. N., and West, S. J., Atomic Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Absorption Newsletter , Vol 12(1) , 1973, pp. 6–8. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D3859 − 08
4.3 These test methods determine the dominant species of 8. Summary of Test Method
selenium reportedly found in most natural and wastewaters,
8.1 The determination consists of the conversion of sele-
including selenities, selenates, and organo-selenium com-
nium in its various forms to gaseous selenium hydride (hydro-
pounds.
gen selenide), with the subseq
...

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 3859–03 Designation:D3859–08
Standard Test Methods for
1
Selenium in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3859; 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.
1. Scope *
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of dissolved and total recoverable selenium in most waters and wastewaters.
Both test methods utilize atomic absorption procedures, as follows:
Sections
2
Test Method A—Gaseous Hydride AAS 7to16
Test Method B—Graphite Furnace AAS 17 to 26
1.2 These test methods are applicable to both inorganic and organic forms of dissolved selenium. They are applicable also to
particulate forms of the element, provided that they are solubilized in the appropriate acid digestion step. However, certain
selenium-containing heavy metallic sediments may not undergo digestion.
1.3 These test methods are most applicable within the following ranges:
Test Method A 1to20µg/L
Test Method A—Gaseous Hydride 1to20µg/L
2
AAS
Test Method B 2 to 100 µg/L
Test Method B—Graphite Furnace 2 to 100 µg/L
AAS
These ranges may be extended (with a corresponding loss in precision) by decreasing the sample size or diluting the original
sample, but concentrations much greater than the upper limits are more conveniently determined by flame atomic absorption
spectrometry.
1.4
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 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 11.12 and 13.14.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D 3919 Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
D 4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
D 5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
D 5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
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 1984. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D3859–98.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2008. Published October 2008. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as D 3859 – 03.
2
Lansford, M., McPherson, E. M., and Fishman, M. J., Atomic Absorption Newsletter, Vol 13(4), 1974, pp. 103–105. Pollack, E. N., and West, S. J., Atomic Absorption
Newsletter , Vol 12(1), 1973, pp. 6–8.
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
3
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. 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 ----------------------
D3859–08
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these test methods, refer to Terminology D 1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 total recoverable selenium—an arbitrary analytical term relating to the recoverable forms of selenium that are
determinable by the digestion procedures included in these test methods.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 In most natural waters selenium concentrations seldom exceed 10 µg/L. However, the runoff from certain types of
seleniferous soils at various times of the year can produce concentrations as high as several hundred micrograms per litre.
Additionally, industrial contamination can be a significant
...

Questions, Comments and Discussion

Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.