ASTM D3919-15

Standard Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Elemental constituents in potable water, receiving water, and wastewater need to be identified for support of effective pollution control programs. Currently, one of the most sensitive and practical means for measuring low concentrations of trace elements is by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. ICP-MS may also be appropriate but at a higher instrument cost. See Test Method D5673.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the general considerations for the quantitative determination of trace elements in water and wastewater by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Furnace atomizers are a most useful means of extending detection limits; however, the practice should only be used at concentration levels below the optimum range of direct flame aspiration atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Because of differences between various makes and models of satisfactory instruments, no detailed operating instructions can be provided for each instrument. Instead, the analyst should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of a particular instrument.  
1.2 Wavelengths, estimated detection limits, and optimum concentration ranges are given in the individual methods. Ranges may be increased or decreased by varying the volume of sample injected or the instrumental settings or by the use of a secondary wavelength. Samples containing concentrations higher than those given in the optimum range may be diluted or analyzed by other techniques.  
1.3 This technique is generally not applicable to brines and seawater. Special techniques such as separation of the trace elements from the salt, careful temperature control through ramping techniques, or matrix modification may be useful for these samples.  
1.4 The analyst is encouraged to consult the literature as provided by the instrument manufacturer as well as various trade journals and scientific publications.  
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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jan-2015
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.05 - Inorganic Constituents in Water

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D5673-15 - Standard Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2015

Standards Content (Sample)

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3919 − 15
Standard Practice for
Measuring Trace Elements in Water by Graphite Furnace
1
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3919; 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* priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This practice covers the general considerations for the
quantitative determination of trace elements in water and
2. Referenced Documents
wastewater by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectropho-
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
tometry. Furnace atomizers are a most useful means of extend-
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
ing detection limits; however, the practice should only be used
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
at concentration levels below the optimum range of direct
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
flame aspiration atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Be-
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
cause of differences between various makes and models of
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
satisfactory instruments, no detailed operating instructions can
D4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water
be provided for each instrument. Instead, the analyst should
Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of a
D5673 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively
particular instrument.
Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry
1.2 Wavelengths, estimated detection limits, and optimum
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
concentration ranges are given in the individual methods.
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
Ranges may be increased or decreased by varying the volume
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
of sample injected or the instrumental settings or by the use of
a secondary wavelength. Samples containing concentrations
3. Terminology
higher than those given in the optimum range may be diluted
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
or analyzed by other techniques.
practice, refer to Terminology D1129.
1.3 This technique is generally not applicable to brines and
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
seawater. Special techniques such as separation of the trace
3.2.1 graphite furnace, n—an electrothermal graphite de-
elements from the salt, careful temperature control through
vicecapableofreachingthespecifiedtemperaturesrequiredby
ramping techniques, or matrix modification may be useful for
the element being determined.
these samples.
3.2.2 platform or similar device, n— a flat, grooved or
1.4 The analyst is encouraged to consult the literature as
ungrooved piece of pyrolytic graphite (which is inserted in the
provided by the instrument manufacturer as well as various
3
graphite tube) on which the sample is placed (1).
trade journals and scientific publications.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4. Summary of Practice
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
4.1 The element is determined by an atomic absorption
standard.
spectrophotometerusedinconjunctionwithagraphitefurnace.
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
The principle is essentially the same as with direct flame
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
aspiration atomic absorption except a furnace, rather than a
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
flame,isusedtoatomizethesample.Theelementalatomstobe
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents in contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
Water. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2015. Published March 2015. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D3919 – 08. DOI: The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
10.1520/D3919-15. this standard.
*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

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...

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: D3919 − 08 D3919 − 15
Standard Practice for
Measuring Trace Elements in Water by Graphite Furnace
1
Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3919; 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 Scope*
1.1 This practice covers the general considerations for the quantitative determination of trace elements in water and wastewater
by graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Furnace atomizers are a most useful means of extending detection limits;
however, the practice should only be used at concentration levels below the optimum range of direct flame aspiration atomic
absorption spectrophotometry. Because of differences between various makes and models of satisfactory instruments, no detailed
operating instructions can be provided for each instrument. Instead, the analyst should follow the instructions provided by the
manufacturer of a particular instrument.
1.2 Wavelengths, estimated detection limits, and optimum concentration ranges are given in the individual methods. Ranges
may be increased or decreased by varying the volume of sample injected or the instrumental settings or by the use of a secondary
wavelength. Samples containing concentrations higher than those given in the optimum range may be diluted or analyzed by other
techniques.
1.3 This technique is generally not applicable to brines and seawater. Special techniques such as separation of the trace elements
from the salt, careful temperature control through ramping techniques, or matrix modification may be useful for these samples.
1.4 The analyst is encouraged to consult the literature as provided by the instrument manufacturer as well as various trade
journals and scientific publications.
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
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
D4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
D5673 Test Method for Elements in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma—Mass Spectrometry
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 graphite furnace—furnace, n—an electrothermal graphite device capable of reaching the specified temperatures required
by the element being determined.
1
This practice 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 Nov. 15, 2008Feb. 1, 2015. Published November 2008March 2015. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20042008
as D3919 – 04.D3919 – 08. DOI: 10.1520/D3919-08.10.1520/D3919-15.
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.
*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

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D3919 − 15
3.2.2 platform or similar device—device, n— a flat, grooved or ungrooved piece of pyrolytic graphite (which is inserted in the
3
graphite tubetube) on which the sample is placed (1).
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 The element is determined by an atomic absorption spectrophotometer used in conjunction with a g
...