ASTM D516-22

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 mg/L 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 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.6 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 30-Nov-2022
• 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)

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: D516 − 22
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* D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
1.1 This turbidimetric test method covers the determination
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process
of sulfate in water in the range from 5 mg ⁄L to 40 mg/L of
−− Streams
sulfate ion (SO ).
4
D4327 Test Method for Anions in Water by Suppressed Ion
1.2 This test method was used successfully with drinking,
Chromatography
ground, and surface waters. It is the user’s responsibility to
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
matrices.
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
1.3 Former gravimetric and volumetric test methods have
been discontinued. Refer to Appendix X1 for historical infor- Materials by Spectrophotometry
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of
mation.
Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
1.4 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:
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Terminology D1129.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4. Summary of Test Method
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1 Sulfate ion is converted to a barium sulfate suspension
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
under controlled conditions. A solution containing glycerin and
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
sodium chloride is added to stabilize the suspension and
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
minimize interferences. The resulting turbidity is determined
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
by a nephelometer, spectrophotometer, or photoelectric colo-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
rimeter and compared to a curve prepared from standard sulfate
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
solutions.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 The determination of sulfate is important because it has
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
been reported that when this ion is present in excess of about
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
250 mg/L in drinking water, it causes a cathartic action
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
(especially in children) in the presence of sodium and
magnesium, and gives a bad taste to the water.
1
5.2 Test Method D4327 (“Test Method of Anions in Water
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
by Suppressed Ion Chromatography”) may be used.
in Water.
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2022. Published March 2023. Originally
6. Interferences
approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D516 – 16. DOI:
10.1520/D0516-22.
6.1 Insoluble suspended matter in the sample must be
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
removed. Dark colors that cannot be compensated for in the
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
procedure interfere with the measurement of suspended barium
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. sulfate (BaSO ).
4
*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 − 22
3
6.2 Polyphosphates as low as 1 mg/L will inhibit barium tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society.
sulfate precipitation causing a negative interference. Phospho- Other grades may be used, provided it is first a
...

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 − 16 D516 − 22
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 55 mg ⁄L 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 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 healthsafety, health, and environmental practices and determine
the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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.
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 Flowing Process Streams
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
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 June 1, 2016Dec. 1, 2022. Published June 2016March 2023. Originally approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 20112016 as
D516 – 11.D516 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/D0516-16.10.1520/D0516-22.
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 − 22
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, 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.
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 i
...