ASTM D4691-11
(Practice)Standard Practice for Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
Standard Practice for Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Elemental constituents in water and wastewater need to be identified to support effective water quality monitoring and control programs. Currently, one of the most widely used and practical means for measuring concentrations of elements is by atomic absorption spectrophotometry.
The major advantage of atomic absorption over atomic emission is the almost total lack of spectral interferences. In atomic emission, the specificity of the technique is almost totally dependent on monochromator resolution. In atomic absorption, however, the detector sees only the narrow emission lines generated by the element of interest.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers general considerations for the quantitative determination of elements in water and waste water by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry is simple, rapid, and applicable to a large number of elements in drinking water, surface waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. While some waters may be analyzed directly, others will require pretreatment.
1.2 Detection limits, sensitivity, and optimum ranges of the elements will vary with the various makes and models of satisfactory atomic absorption spectrometers. The actual concentration ranges measurable by direct aspiration are given in the specific test method for each element of interest. In the majority of instances the concentration range may be extended lower by use of electrothermal atomization and conversely extended upwards by using a less sensitive wavelength or rotating the burner head. Detection limits by direct aspiration may also be extended through sample concentration, solvent extraction techniques, or both. Where direct aspiration atomic absorption techniques do not provide adequate sensitivity, the analyst is referred to Practice D3919 or specialized procedures such as the gaseous hydride method for arsenic (Test Methods D2972) and selenium (Test Methods D3859), and the cold vapor technique for mercury (Test Method D3223).
1.3 Because of the differences among various makes and models of satisfactory instruments, no detailed operating instructions can be provided. Instead the analyst should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of a particular instrument.
1.4 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 9.
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Designation: D4691 − 11
Standard Practice for
Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption
1
Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4691; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.1 This practice covers general considerations for the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.Forspecifichazard
quantitative determination of elements in water and waste
statements see Section 9.
water by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Flame
atomic absorption spectrophotometry is simple, rapid, and
2. Referenced Documents
applicable to a large number of elements in drinking water,
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
surface waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. While
some waters may be analyzed directly, others will require D1129Terminology Relating to Water
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
pretreatment.
D2972Test Methods for Arsenic in Water
1.2 Detection limits, sensitivity, and optimum ranges of the
D3223Test Method for Total Mercury in Water
elements will vary with the various makes and models of
D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
satisfactory atomic absorption spectrometers. The actual con-
D3859Test Methods for Selenium in Water
centration ranges measurable by direct aspiration are given in
D3919Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by
the specific test method for each element of interest. In the
Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
majority of instances the concentration range may be extended
D4453Practice for Handling of High Purity Water Samples
lower by use of electrothermal atomization and conversely
D5810Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
extended upwards by using a less sensitive wavelength or
D5847Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
rotating the burner head. Detection limits by direct aspiration
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
may also be extended through sample concentration, solvent
E178Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations
extraction techniques, or both. Where direct aspiration atomic
E520Practice for Describing Photomultiplier Detectors in
absorption techniques do not provide adequate sensitivity, the
Emission and Absorption Spectrometry
analyst is referred to Practice D3919 or specialized procedures
E863Practice for Describing Atomic Absorption Spectro-
such as the gaseous hydride method for arsenic (Test Methods
3
metric Equipment (Withdrawn 2004)
D2972) and selenium (Test Methods D3859), and the cold
vapor technique for mercury (Test Method D3223).
3. Terminology
1.3 Because of the differences among various makes and
3.1 Definitions:
models of satisfactory instruments, no detailed operating in-
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this practice, refer to
structions can be provided. Instead the analyst should follow
Terminology D1129.
the instructions provided by the manufacturer of a particular
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
instrument.
3.2.1 absorbance, n—the logarithm to the base 10 of the
1.4 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to
reciprocal of the transmittance ( T). A=log (1/T)=−log T.
10 10
be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses
3.2.2 absorptivity, n—the absorbance (A) divided by the
are for information only.
productofthesamplepathlength(b)andtheconcentration(c).
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
a= A/bc.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
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 contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Water. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011. Published September 2011. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4691–02(2007). The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
DOI: 10.1520/D4691-11. www.astm.org.
*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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D4691 − 11
3.2.3 atomic absorption, n—the absorption of electromag- 3.2.11 spect
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This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:D4691–02 (Reapproved 2007) Designation:D4691–11
Standard Practice for
Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption
1
Spectrophotometry
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4691; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber 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 Thispracticecoversgeneralconsiderationsforthequantitativedeterminationofelementsinwaterandwastewaterbyflame
atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry is simple, rapid, and applicable to a large
number of elements in drinking water, surface waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. While some waters may be analyzed
directly, others will require pretreatment.
1.2 Detection limits, sensitivity, and optimum ranges of the elements will vary with the various makes and models of
satisfactory atomic absorption spectrometers. The actual concentration ranges measurable by direct aspiration are given in the
specific test method for each element of interest. In the majority of instances the concentration range may be extended lower by
use of electrothermal atomization and conversely extended upwards by using a less sensitive wavelength or rotating the burner
head. Detection limits by direct aspiration may also be extended through sample concentration, solvent extraction techniques, or
both. Where direct aspiration atomic absorption techniques do not provide adequate sensitivity, the analyst is referred to Practice
D3919 or specialized procedures such as the gaseous hydride method for arsenic (Test Methods D2972) and selenium (Test
Methods D3859), and the cold vapor technique for mercury (Test Method D3223).
1.3 Because of the differences among various makes and models of satisfactory instruments, no detailed operating instructions
can be provided. Instead the analyst should follow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of a particular instrument.
1.4
1.4 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are
for information only.
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 health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use. For specific hazard statements see Section 9.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water D1192Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam in Closed Conduits
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2972 Test Methods for Arsenic in Water
D3223 Test Method for Total Mercury in Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D3859 Test Methods for Selenium in Water
D3919 Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
D4453 Practice for Handling of High Purity Water Samples
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
E178 Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations
E520 Practice for Describing Photomultiplier Detectors in Emission and Absorption Spectrometry
E863 Practice for Describing Atomic Absorption Spectrometric Equipment
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents in Water.
Current edition approved June 15, 2007. Published June 2007. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D4691–02. DOI:
10.1520/D4691-02R07.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2011. Published September 2011. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4691–02(2007). DOI:
10.1520/D4691-11.
2
ForreferencedASTMstandards,visittheASTMwebsite,www.astm.org,orcontactASTMCustomerServiceatservice@astm.org.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 ----------------------
D4691–11
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For
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