ASTM D4698-92(2007)

Standard Practice for Total Digestion of Sediment Samples for Chemical Analysis of Various Metals

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
The chemical analysis of sediments, collected from such locations as streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans can provide information of environmental significance.
These practices can be used with either suspended sediment (material actively transported by water) or bed sediment (material temporarily at rest on the bed of a water body).
Standardized practices for digesting sediments, for subsequent chemical analysis, will facilitate inter- and intra-areal comparisons as well as comparison of data generated by different groups. The use of total digestions also eliminates the ambiguities and interpretational difficulties associated with partial digestions and the operational definitions that accompany them. PROCEDURE A—FUSION   Top
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers two procedures for the total digestion of sediments for subsequent determination of metals by such techniques as flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry, graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry, atomic emission spectroscopy, etc.
1.2 This practice is applicable in the subsequent determination of volatile, semivolatile, and nonvolatile metals of sediments.
1.3 Actual metal quantitation can be accomplished by following the various test methods outlined under other appropriate ASTM standards for the metal(s) of interest. Before selecting either of the digestion techniques outlined in this practice, the user should consult the appropriate quantitation standard(s) for any special analytical considerations, and Practice D 3976 for any special preparatory considerations.
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 a specific hazard statement, see Note 7.
1.4 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Jun-2007
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.07 - Sediments, Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4698-92(2001) - Standard Practice for Total Digestion of Sediment Samples for Chemical Analysis of Various Metals
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2007

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: D4698 − 92 (Reapproved2007)
Standard Practice for
Total Digestion of Sediment Samples for Chemical Analysis
1
of Various Metals
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4698; 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.
3
1. Scope in Closed Conduits (Withdrawn 2003)
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1.1 This practice covers two procedures for the total diges-
D3976 Practice for Preparation of Sediment Samples for
tion of sediments for subsequent determination of metals by
Chemical Analysis
suchtechniquesasflameatomicabsorptionspectrophotometry,
graphite-furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry, atomic
3. Terminology
emission spectroscopy, etc.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
1.2 This practice is applicable in the subsequent determina- practice, refer to Terminology D1129.
tion of volatile, semivolatile, and nonvolatile metals of sedi-
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
ments.
3.2.1 total digestion—the dissolution of a sediment matrix
such that quantitation will produce a measurement which is
1.3 Actual metal quantitation can be accomplished by fol-
more than 95 % of the constituent present in the sample.
lowing the various test methods outlined under other appropri-
ate ASTM standards for the metal(s) of interest. Before
3.2.2 partialdigestion—thedissolutionofasedimentmatrix
selecting either of the digestion techniques outlined in this
such that quantitation will produce a measurement of less than
practice, the user should consult the appropriate quantitation
95 % of the constituent present in the sample. In such cases,
standard(s) for any special analytical considerations, and Prac-
recovery is operationally defined by the digestion procedure.
tice D3976 for any special preparatory considerations.
4. Summary of Practice
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Many procedures are available for the total digestion of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
sediments prior to metal analysis, but almost all the methods
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
fall into one of two main classes: fusion and subsequent
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
dissolution of the bead, and wet digestion which directly
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific
dissolves the sample with mineral acids. Each of the classes
hazard statement, see Note 7.
has advantages and disadvantages, as do the individual proce-
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
dures which fall under them. The two procedures outlined in
as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
this practice were selected because they are the least restricted,
information only.
in terms of utility, for dealing with a wide variety of matrices.
Before choosing a particular method, the user should consult
2. Referenced Documents
the pertinent literature to determine the utility and applicability
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
of either method, prior to final selection; or if a less rigorous
4,5 ,6,7
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
digestion could be employed. Even then, experience with
D1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam
a particular sample type or digestion test method, or both, may
have to be the final arbiter in test method selection.
1 3
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, Geomorphology, www.astm.org.
4
and Open-Channel Flow. Johnson, W., and Maxwell, J., Rock and Mineral Analysis , 2nd Edition, John
Current edition approved June 15, 2007. Published July 2007. Originally Wiley & Sons, New York, 1981, p. 489.
5
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2001 as D4698 – 92 (2001). Pinta, M., Modern Methods for Trace Element Analysis , Ann Arbor Science
DOI: 10.1520/D4698-92R07. Publishers, Ann Arbor, 1982, pp. 133–264.
2 6
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Dolezal, J., Povondra, C., and Sulcek, Z., Decomposition Techniques in
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Inorganic Analysis, Elsevier Publishing Co., New York, 1968, pp. 11–157.
7
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Shapiro, L., “Rapid Analysis of Silicate, Carbonate, and Phosphate Rocks,”
the ASTM website. Revised Edition, U.S. Geological Survey Bulletin , 1401, 1975, p. 76.
Copyright
...