ASTM D7726-11
(Guide)Standard Guide for The Use of Various Turbidimeter Technologies for Measurement of Turbidity in Water
Standard Guide for The Use of Various Turbidimeter Technologies for Measurement of Turbidity in Water
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Turbidity is a measure of scattered light that results from the interaction between a beam of light and particulate material in a liquid sample. Particulate material is typically undesirable in water from a health perspective and its removal is often required when the water is intended for consumption. Thus, turbidity has been used as a key indicator for water quality to assess the health and quality of environmental water sources. Higher turbidity values are typically associated with poorer water quality.
5.1.1 Turbidity is also used in environmental monitoring to assess the health and stability of water-based ecosystems such as in lakes, rivers and streams. In general, the lower the turbidity, the healthier the ecosystem.
Turbidity measurement is a qualitative parameter for water but its traceability to a primary light scatter standard allows the measurement to be applied as a quantitative measurement. When used as a quantative measurement, turbidity is typically reported generically in turbidity units (TU’s).
Turbidity measurements are based on the instruments’ calibration with primary standard reference materials. These reference standards are traceable to formazin concentrate (normally at a value of 4000 TU). The reference concentrate is linearly diluted to provide calibration standard values. Alternative standard reference materials, such as SDVB co-polymer or stabilized formazin, are manufactured to match the formazin polymer dilutions and provide highly consistent and stable values for which to calibrate turbidity sensors.
When used for regulatory compliance reporting, specific turbidity calibration standards may be required. The user of this method should check with regulatory entities regarding specifics of allowable calibration standard materials.
The traceability to calibrations from different technologies (and other calibration standards) to primary formazin standards provides for a basis for defined turbidity units. This provides equivalence ...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the best practices for use of various turbidimeter designs for measurement of turbidity in waters including: drinking water, wastewater, industrial waters and for regulatory and environmental monitoring. This guide covers both continuous and static measurements.
1.1.1 In principle there are three basic applications for on-line measurement set ups. The first is the bypass or slipstream technique a portion of sample is transported from the process or sample stream and to the turbidimeter for analysis. It is then either transported back to the sample stream or to waste. The second is the in-line measurement the sensor is submerged directly into the sample or process stream, which is typically contained in a pipe. The third is in-situ where the sensor is directly inserted into the sample stream. The in-situ principle is intended for the monitoring of water during any step within a processing train, including immediately before or after the process itself.
1.1.2 Static covers both benchtop and portable designs for the measurement of water samples that are captured into a cell and then measured.
1.2 Depending on the monitoring goals and desired data requirements, certain technologies will deliver more desirable results for a given application. This guide will help the user align a technology to a given application with respect to best practices for data collection.
1.3 Some designs are applicable for either a lower or upper measurement range. This guide will help provide guidance to the best-suited technologies based given range of turbidity.
1.4 Modern electronic turbidimeters are comprised of many parts that can cause them to produce different results on samples. The wavelength of incident light used, detector type, detector angle, number of detectors (and angles), and optical pathlength are all design criteria that may be different among instruments. When these sensors are all calibrated with...
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Designation: D7726 − 11
StandardGuide for
The Use of Various Turbidimeter Technologies for
1
Measurement of Turbidity in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D7726; 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 same. However, samples comprise of completely different
matrices and may measure quite differently among these
1.1 This guide covers the best practices for use of various
different technologies.
turbidimeter designs for measurement of turbidity in waters
1.4.1 This guide does not provide calibration information
including:drinkingwater,wastewater,industrialwatersandfor
butratherwilldefertheusertotheappropriateASTMturbidity
regulatory and environmental monitoring. This guide covers
method and its calibration protocols. When calibrated on
both continuous and static measurements.
traceable primary turbidity standards, the assigned turbidity
1.1.1 In principle there are three basic applications for
units such as those used in Table 1. are equivalent. For
on-line measurement set ups. The first is the bypass or
example, a 1 NTU formazin standard is also equivalent in
slipstream technique a portion of sample is transported from
measurement magnitude toa1FNU,a1FAU,anda1BU
the process or sample stream and to the turbidimeter for
standard and so forth.
analysis. It is then either transported back to the sample stream
1.4.2 Improved traceability beyond the scope of this guide
or to waste. The second is the in-line measurement the sensor
maybepracticedandwouldincludethelistingofthemakeand
is submerged directly into the sample or process stream, which
modelnumberoftheinstrumentusedtodeterminetheturbidity
is typically contained in a pipe. The third is in-situ where the
values.
sensor is directly inserted into the sample stream. The in-situ
principle is intended for the monitoring of water during any 1.5 This guide does not purport to cover all available
step within a processing train, including immediately before or technologies for high-level turbidity measurement.
after the process itself.
1.6 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
1.1.2 Static covers both benchtop and portable designs for
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
the measurement of water samples that are captured into a cell
only.
and then measured.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2 Depending on the monitoring goals and desired data
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
requirements, certain technologies will deliver more desirable
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
results for a given application. This guide will help the user
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
align a technology to a given application with respect to best
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
practices for data collection.
1.8 This guide does not purport to address all of the safety
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
1.3 Some designs are applicable for either a lower or upper
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
measurement range. This guide will help provide guidance to
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
the best-suited technologies based given range of turbidity.
limitations prior to use. Refer to the MSDSs for all chemicals
1.4 Modern electronic turbidimeters are comprised of many
used in this procedure.
parts that can cause them to produce different results on
samples. The wavelength of incident light used, detector type,
2. Referenced Documents
detector angle, number of detectors (and angles), and optical
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pathlength are all design criteria that may be different among
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
instruments. When these sensors are all calibrated with the
D3977 Test Methods for Determining Sediment Concentra-
sample turbidity standards, they will all read the standards the
tion in Water Samples
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is
2
the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, Geomorphology, For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
and Open-Channel Flow. contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Current edition approved May 1, 2011. Published May 2011. DOI: 10.1520/ Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
D7726–11. the ASTM website.
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