ASTM D3859-03

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Designation:D 3859–03
Standard Test Methods for
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Selenium in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3859; 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.
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1. Scope* Applicable Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Con-
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of dissolved
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duits
andtotalrecoverableseleniuminmostwatersandwastewaters.
D 3919 Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by
Both test methods utilize atomic absorption procedures, as
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Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
follows:
D 4841 Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water
Sections
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2 Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents
Test Method A—Gaseous Hydride AAS 7to16
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D 5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
Test Method B—Graphite Furnace AAS 17 to 26
D 5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
1.2 These test methods are applicable to both inorganic and
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for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
organic forms of dissolved selenium. They are applicable also
to particulate forms of the element, provided that they are
3. Terminology
solubilized in the appropriate acid digestion step. However,
3.1 Definitions:
certain selenium-containing heavy metallic sediments may not
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in these test methods,
undergo digestion.
refer to Terminology D 1129.
1.3 These test methods are most applicable within the
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
following ranges:
3.2.1 total recoverable selenium—an arbitrary analytical
Test Method A 1 to 20 µg/L
term relating to the recoverable forms of selenium that are
Test Method B 2 to 100 µg/L
determinable by the digestion procedures included in these test
These ranges may be extended (with a corresponding loss in
methods.
precision)bydecreasingthesamplesizeordilutingtheoriginal
sample, but concentrations much greater than the upper limits
4. Significance and Use
are more conveniently determined by flame atomic absorption
4.1 In most natural waters selenium concentrations seldom
spectrometry.
exceed 10 µg/L. However, the runoff from certain types of
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
seleniferous soils at various times of the year can produce
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
concentrations as high as several hundred micrograms per litre.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Additionally, industrial contamination can be a significant
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
source of selenium in rivers and streams.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
4.2 High concentrations of selenium in drinking water have
statements, see11.12 and 13.14.
been suspected of being toxic to animal life. Selenium is a
priority pollutant and all public water agencies are required to
2. Referenced Documents
monitor its concentration.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.3 These test methods determine the dominant species of
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D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
selenium reportedly found in most natural and wastewaters,
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D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
including selenities, selenates, and organo-selenium com-
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
pounds.
5. Purity of Reagents
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
5.1 Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests.
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic
Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all reagents shall
Constituents in Water.
conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical
Current edition approved June 10, 2003. Published July 2003. Originally
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D 3859 – 98.
Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where such
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Lansford, M., McPherson, E. M., and Fishman, M. J., Atomic Absorption
Newsletter, Vol 13(4), 1974, pp. 103–105. Pollack, E. N., and West, S. J., Atomic
Absorption Newsletter, Vol 12(1), 1973, pp. 6–8.
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Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
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D 3859–03
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specifications are available. Other grades may be used, pro- 8.3 Total recoverable selenium is determined by treating the
vided it is ascertained that the reagent is of suf
...