ASTM D6517-00

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D6517–00
Standard Guide for
Field Preservation of Ground-Water Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 6517; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope International Air Transport Association Dangerous Goods
Regulations
1.1 This guide covers methods for field preservation of
U.S. EPA, Office of Solid Waste, SW-846, 3rd ed.
ground-water samples. Laboratory preservation methods are
U.S. EPA, Title 40, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 136
not described in this guide.
U.S. EPA, Title 49, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 172
1.2 This standard may involve hazardous materials, opera-
tions, and equipment. This standard does not purport to
3. Terminology
address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its
3.1 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to
3.1.1 chemical preservation—the addition of acidic, alka-
establish appropriate safety and health practices and deter-
line or biologically toxic compounds, or combination thereof,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
to a ground-water sample to prevent changes in chemical
1.3 This guide offers an organized collection of information
properties of the sample that may occur after collection.
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
3.1.2 holding time—the maximum amount of time that may
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
transpire from the moment a sample container is filled to the
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
time the sample is extracted or analyzed. Holding times are
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
parameter-specific, variable in length, and defined by labora-
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
tory analytical methods.
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
3.1.3 physical preservation—methods that are implemented
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
to protect the physical integrity of a ground-water sample from
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
the time the sample is collected until the sample is analyzed.
unique aspects. The word“ Standard” in the title of this
3.1.4 temperature blank—a quality control sample that is
document means only that the document has been approved
transported with samples and is used by the laboratory per-
through the ASTM consensus process.
forming sample analyses to verify that temperature-sensitive
2. Referenced Documents samples have been adequately cooled to 4°C for shipment to
and arrival at the laboratory (see Note 1).
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and
NOTE 1—Formsoftemperatureblankinclude:(1)usingacommercially
for Preservation of Organic Constituents prepared, fluid-filled bottle containing a permanently fixed National
InstituteofStandardsandTechnology(NIST)-certified(orNIST-traceable)
D 5903 Guide for Planning and Preparing for a Groundwa-
thermometer, the temperature of which is read directly by the laboratory;
ter Sampling Event
(2) submission of a designated sample container filled with water (for
D 6089 Guide for Documenting a Ground-Water Sampling
example, ground water, distilled water, or deionized water) that is opened
Event
by the laboratory and immediately measured for temperature of the water
2.2 Other Documents:
using a National Institute of Standards and Technology-certified (or
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and
NIST-traceable) thermometer; or (3) submission of a designated container
Wastewater, 20th ed., 1999 filled with water (for example, ground water, distilled water, or deionized
water) on which the laboratory uses a remote infrared temperature sensor
to measure the temperature. Regardless of the method used, all measured
temperatures are compared against the required temperature for each
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
sample (for example, 4°C) in conjunction with a previously defined
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water and
window of acceptable variance from this required temperature as docu-
Vadose Zone Investigations.
mented in the sampling and analysis plan.
Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2000. Published April 2000.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
4 5
Available fromAmerican National Standards Institute, 11 W. 42nd Street, 13th Available from the Superintendent of Documents, US Government Printing
Floor, New York, NY 10036. Office, Washington, DC 20402.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D6517–00
4. Significance and Use be used in a sampling event should be determined during
sampling event planning in accordance with Guide D 5903 and
4.1 Ground-watersamplesaresubjecttochemical,physical,
documented in the sampling and analysis plan as described in
and biological change relative to in- situ conditions at the
8.1 of this guide and Guide D 6089.
ground surfaces as a result of exposure to ambient conditions
6.1.1.2 Sample Container Packing and Shipping—Field
during sample collection (for example, pressure, temperature,
personnelshouldpackageandshipsamplesincompliancewith
ultraviolet radiation, atmospheric oxygen, and contaminants)
all applicable regulations including the Department of Trans-
(1) (2). Physical and chemical preservation of samples mini-
portation (for example, Title 49 Code of Federal Regulations,
mize further changes in sample chemistry that can occur from
Part 172) and the International Air Transportation Association
the moment the ground-water sample is retrieved, to the time it
(IATA). Sample containers should be shipped in a manner that
is removed from the sample container for extraction or
will ensure the samples are received intact by the laboratory, at
analysis, or both. Measures also must be taken to preserve the
the appropriate temperature, and as soon as possible to allow
physical integrity of the sample container.
sufficient time for the laboratory to perform the requested
4.2 The need for sample preservation for specific analytes
analyses within the holding time defined by the applicable
should be defined prior to the sampling event and documented
laboratory analytical method for each parameter.
in the site-specific sampling and analysis plan in accordance
with Guide D 5903. The decision to preserve a sample should
6.1.1.3 Temperature Control—Samples analyzed for some
be made on a parameter-specific basis as defined by individual parameters (for example, nitrite) require temperature control.
analytical methods.
The temperature of these samples should be lowered to 4°C
immediately after performing any field analyses required (for
5. Timing and Purpose of Ground-Water Sample
example, temperature or pH) and chemical preservation (3).
Preservation
When necessary, temperature should be lowered as soon as
5.1 Ground-water samples should be preserved in the field possible and maintained at 4°C until the sample is analyzed.
at the time of sample collection using physical means to Sample temperatures can be lowered most efficiently using
prevent sample container breakage or temperature increases, on-site refrigeration or wet ice. Wet ice may need to be
and chemical means to minimize changes in ground-water replenished prior to shipping to maintain sample temperatures
sample chemistry prior to laboratory analysis. at 4°C. If required by regulation, dry ice may be used to cool
samples, however, care should be taken to prevent sample
6. Ground-Water Sample Preservation Procedures
freezing. Reuseable ice packs may be used to lower sample
6.1 Ground-water sample preservation procedures are
temperature, however, they often do not have the capacity to
grouped into two general categories: (1) physical preservation adequately lower or maintain temperatures, or both; conse-
and (2) chemical preservation. Preservation procedures should
quently, their use is not recommended(4).Atemperature blank
address the following details on a parameter-specific basis: should be used with each shipping container of samples to
sample container design and construction, protection from
determine actual sample temperatures at the time the sample
ultraviolet light, temperature control, chemical addition, and shipment is received by the laboratory.
pH control measures (2).
6.1.2 Chemical Preservation of Ground-Water Samples:
6.1.1 Physical Preservation of Ground-Water Samples—
6.1.2.1 Chemical preservation of ground-water samples in-
Physical ground-water sample preservation methods include:
volves the addition of one or more chemicals (reagent-grade or
(1) use of appropriate sample collection containers for each
better)onaparameter-specificbasistoprotectsampleintegrity.
parameter being analyzed, (2) use of appropriate packing of
Appendix X1 provides examples of common analyte-specific
sample containers for shipment to prevent sample container
chemical preservation methods.
breakage and potential cross-contamination of samples during
6.1.2.2 Chemical preservation is specified in numerous
shipment, and (3) temperature control.
analytical methods as well as in various regulatory guidance
6.1.1.1 Sample Container Selection—Proper selection of
documents. Chemicals can be used to adjust sample pH or
containers for ground-water sample collection is an important
inhibit microbial activity to prevent chemical alteration of
means of protecting the integrity of the sample. Specifications
samples. Initial pH of samples should be determined prior to
on container design, including shape, volume, gas tightness,
chemical preservation so appropriate chemical adjustment can
materials of construction, and use of cap liners, are defined for
be made.
specificparametersorsuitesofparameters(forexample,amber
6.1.2.3 Ground-water samples can be chemically preserved
glasscontainersprotectphotosensitiveanalytessuchas(PCBs)
inoneofseveralways:(1)titrationofpH-adjustingcompounds
from chemical alteration). Specifications for sample container
(for example, nitric acid) while monitoring pH change with a
selection are documented in parameter-specific analytical
pH meter or narrow-range litmus paper; (2) addition of a
methods (for example, ASTM, U.S. EPA SW846, AWWA
premeasured volume of liquid preservative (for example,
Standard Methods) as well as in Federal (40 CFR Part 136),
sulfuric acid) contained in glass vials or ampules to the sample
state, and local regulatory guidelines on ground-water sample
container (Note 2); (3) addition of pelletized preservative (for
collection and preservati
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