ASTM D3590-17

Standard Test Methods for Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 These test methods are useful for measuring organic nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen, which are essential growth nutrients.  
4.2 Nitrogen compounds are widely distributed in the environment. Sources of nitrogen include surface-applied fertilizers, cleaning products, and drinking water treatment aids. Because nitrogen is a nutrient for photosynthetic organisms, it may be important to monitor and control discharge into the environment.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Section 24 on Quality Control pertains to these test methods. The following test methods are included:    
Sections  
Test Method A—Manual Digestion/Distillation  
8 – 14  
Test Method B—Semiautomated Colorimetric Bertholt  
15 – 23  
1.2 The analyst should be aware that precision and bias statements included may not necessarily apply to the water being tested.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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: 31-May-2017
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.05 - Inorganic Constituents in Water

Relations

• Referred By: ASTM D6696-16 - Standard Guide for Understanding Cyanide Species
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D6146-97(2018) - Standard Guide for Monitoring Aqueous Nutrients in Watersheds
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D5526-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Accelerated Landfill Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D5338-15(2021) - Standard Test Method for Determining Aerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under Controlled Composting Conditions, Incorporating Thermophilic Temperatures
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D7294-13(2021) - Standard Guide for Collecting Treatment Process Design Data at a Contaminated Site—A Site Contaminated with Chemicals of Interest
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D5975-17 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Stability of Compost by Measuring Oxygen Consumption
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D3694-96(2017) - Standard Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and for Preservation of Organic Constituents
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D5511-18 - Standard Test Method for Determining Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials Under High-Solids Anaerobic-Digestion Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D7475-20 - Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Degradation and Anaerobic Biodegradation of Plastic Materials under Accelerated Bioreactor Landfill Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017
• Referred By: ASTM D8083-16(2023) - Standard Test Method for Total Nitrogen, and Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) by Calculation, in Water by High Temperature Catalytic Combustion and Chemiluminescence Detection
• Effective Date: 01-Jun-2017

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: D3590 − 17
Standard Test Methods for
1
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3590; 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* D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of total
Kjeldahl nitrogen. Section 24 on Quality Control pertains to
3. Terminology
these test methods. The following test methods are included:
3.1 Definitions:
Sections
Test Method A—Manual Digestion/Distillation 8–14 3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
Test Method B—Semiautomated Colorimetric Bertholt 15–23
Terminology D1129.
1.2 The analyst should be aware that precision and bias
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
statements included may not necessarily apply to the water
3.2.1 continuing calibration blank, n—a solution containing
being tested.
no analytes (of interest) which is used to verify blank response
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
and freedom from carryover.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2.2 continuing calibration verification, n—a solution (or
standard.
setofsolutions)ofknownconcentrationusedtoverifyfreedom
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the from excessive instrumental drift; the concentration is to cover
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the range of calibration curve.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.3 total Kjeldahl nitrogen, n—the sum of the nitrogen
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
contained in the free ammonia and other nitrogen compounds,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
which are converted to ammonium sulfate [(NH ) SO ] under
4 2 4
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
the specified digestion conditions.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1 These test methods are useful for measuring organic
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen, which are essential growth
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
nutrients.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 Nitrogen compounds are widely distributed in the envi-
2
ronment. Sources of nitrogen include surface-applied
2.1 ASTM Standards:
fertilizers, cleaning products, and drinking water treatment
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
aids. Because nitrogen is a nutrient for photosynthetic
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
organisms, it may be important to monitor and control dis-
D1426 Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water
charge into the environment.
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
5. Interferences
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
5.1 Nitrateisknowntocauseaseriousnegativeinterference
in the test. Reportedly, a concentration of 250 mg/L NO
3
resultsinzerorecoveryofsomelevelofmg/LNaddedassome
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
nitrogen compound.
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic
Constituents in Water.
5.2 The analyst is cautioned that ammonia in the laboratory
Current edition approved June 1, 2017. Published June 2017. Originally
may easily become an interference in these test methods from
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3590 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/D3590-17.
contamination of reagents, caps, or from the laboratory atmo-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
sphere. Care should be taken that ammonium hydroxide, either
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
as a reagent or as a cleaning substance, is not used in the same
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. room.
*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 ----------------------
D3590 − 17
6. Purity of Reag
...

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: D3590 − 11 D3590 − 17
Standard Test Methods for
1
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3590; 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 total Kjeldahl nitrogen. Section 24 on Quality Control pertains to these test
methods. The following test methods are included:
Sections
Test Method A—Manual Digestion/Distillation 8 – 13
Test Method A—Manual Digestion/Distillation 8 – 14
Test Method B—Semiautomated Colorimetric Bertholt 15 – 22
Test Method B—Semiautomated Colorimetric Bertholt 15 – 23
1.2 The analyst should be aware that precision and bias statements included may not necessarily apply to the water being tested.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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.
1.5 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:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1426 Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In 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
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—Definitions: For definitions of terms used in these test methods, refer to Terminology D1129.
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 continuing calibration blank, n—a solution containing no analytes (of interest) which is used to verify blank response and
freedom from carryover.
3.2.2 continuing calibration verification, n—a solution (or set of solutions) of known concentration used to verify freedom from
excessive instrumental drift; the concentration is to cover the range of calibration curve.
3.2.3 total Kjeldahl nitrogen, n—the sum of the nitrogen contained in the free ammonia and other nitrogen compounds, which
are converted to ammonium sulfate [(NH ) SO ] under the specified digestion conditions.
4 2 4
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 April 1, 2011June 1, 2017. Published April 2011June 2017. Originally approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 20062011 as
D3590 – 02 (2006).D3590 – 11. DOI: 10.1520/D3590-11.10.1520/D3590-17.
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 ----------------------
D3590 − 17
4. Significance and Use
4.1 These test methods are useful for measuring organic nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen, which are essential growth
nutrients.
4.2 Nitrogen compounds are widely distributed in the environment. Sources of nitrogen include surface-applied fertilizers,
cleaning products, and drinking water treatment aids. Because nitrogen is a nutrient for photosynthetic organisms, it may be
important to monitor and control discharge into the environment.
5. Interferences
5.1 Nitrate is known to cause a serious negative interference in the test. Reportedly, a concentration of 250 mg/L NO re
...