ASTM D4691-02

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Designation:D4691–02
Standard Practice for
Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption
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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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
1.1 This practice covers general considerations for the 2.1 ASTM Standards:
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quantitative determination of elements in water and waste D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
water by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Flame D1192 Specification for Equipment for Sampling Water
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atomic absorption spectrophotometry is simple, rapid, and and Steam in Closed Conduits
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applicable to a large number of elements in drinking water, D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
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surface waters, and domestic and industrial wastes. While D2972 Test Methods for Arsenic in Water
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some waters may be analyzed directly, others will require D 3223 Test Method for Total Mercury in Water
pretreatment. D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Con-
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1.2 Detection limits, sensitivity, and optimum ranges of the duits
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elements will vary with the various makes and models of D3859 Test Methods for Selenium in Water
satisfactory atomic absorption spectrometers. The actual con- D3919 Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by
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centration ranges measurable by direct aspiration are given in Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry
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the specific test method for each element of interest. In the D4453 PracticeforHandlingofUltra-PureWaterSamples
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majority of instances the concentration range may be extended D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
lower by use of electrothermal atomization and conversely D5847 Practice for the Writing Quality Control Specifica-
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extended upwards by using a less sensitive wavelength or tions for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
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rotating the burner head. Detection limits by direct aspiration E178 Practice for Dealing with Outlying Observations
may also be extended through sample concentration, solvent E520 Practice for Describing Detectors in Emission and
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extraction techniques, or both. Where direct aspiration atomic Absorption Spectroscopy
absorption techniques do not provide adequate sensitivity, the E863 Practice for Describing Flame Atomic Absorption
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analystisreferredtoPracticeD3919orspecializedprocedures Spectroscopy Equipment
such as the gaseous hydride method for arsenic (Test Methods
3. Terminology
D2972) and selenium (Test Methods D3859), and the cold
vapor technique for mercury (Test Method D 3223). 3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definition of terms used in this practice, refer to
1.3 Because of the differences among various makes and
models of satisfactory instruments, no detailed operating in- Terminology D1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
structions can be provided. Instead the analyst should follow
the instructions provided by the manufacturer of a particular 3.2.1 absorbance, n—the logarithm to the base 10 of the
reciprocal of the transmittance (T). A=log (1/T)=−log T.
instrument.
10 10
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the 3.2.2 absorptivity, n—the absorbance (A) divided by the
productofthesamplepathlength(b)andtheconcentration(c).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- a= A/bc.
3.2.3 atomic absorption, n—the absorption of electromag-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard netic radiation by an atom resulting in the elevation of
electrons from their ground states to excited states. Atomic
statements see Section 9.
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This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and
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is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents in Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
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Water. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.02.
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Current edition approved Jan. 10, 2002. Published April 2002. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
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published as D4691–87. Last previous edition D4691–96. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06.
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D4691–02
absorption spectrophotometry involves the measurement of (from a hollow cathode lamp or other source) consisting of the
light absorbed by atoms of interest as a function of the characteristicmonochromaticradiationgeneratedbyexcitation
...