ASTM D516-07

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation:D516–07
Standard Test Method for
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Sulfate Ion in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D516; 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.
This standard has been approved for use by agencies of the Department of Defense.
1. Scope E60 Practice for Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related
Materials by Molecular Absorption Spectrometry
1.1 This turbidimetric test method covers the determination
E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance
ofsulfateinwaterintherangefrom5to40mg/Lofsulfateion
−−
of Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers
(SO ).
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1.2 This test method was used successfully with drinking,
3. Terminology
ground, and surface waters. It is the user’s responsibility to
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested
method, refer to Terminology D1129.
matrices.
1.3 Former gravimetric and volumetric test methods have
4. Summary of Test Method
been discontinued. Refer to Appendix X1 for historical infor-
4.1 Sulfate ion is converted to a barium sulfate suspension
mation.
undercontrolledconditions.Asolutioncontainingglycerinand
1.4 This standard does not purport to address the safety
sodium chloride is added to stabilize the suspension and
concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
minimize interferences. The resulting turbidity is determined
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and
by a nephelometer, spectrophotometer, or photoelectric colo-
health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
rimeterandcomparedtoacurvepreparedfromstandardsulfate
limitations prior to use.
solutions.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 The determination of sulfate is important because it has
D1066 Practice for Sampling Steam
been reported that when this ion is present in excess of about
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
250 mg/L in drinking water, it causes a cathartic action
D1192 GuideforEquipmentforSamplingWaterandSteam
3 (especially in children) in the presence of sodium and magne-
in Closed Conduits
sium, and gives a bad taste to the water.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
6. Interferences
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
6.1 Insoluble suspended matter in the sample must be
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
removed. Dark colors that can not be compensated for in the
D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
procedureinterferewiththemeasurementofsuspendedbarium
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
sulfate (BaSO ).
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6.2 Polyphosphates as low as 1 mg/L will inhibit barium
sulfate precipitation causing a negative interference. Phospho-
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This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water
nates present in low concentrations, depending on the type of
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents
in Water.
phosphonate, will also cause a negative interference. Silica in
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2007. Published September 2007. Originally
excess of 500 mg/L may precipitate along with the barium
approved in 1938. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D516–02. DOI:
sulfate causing a positive interference. Chloride in excess of
10.1520/D0516-07.
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5000 mg/L will cause a negative interference. Aluminum,
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
polymers, and large quantities of organic material present in
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the test sample may cause the barium sulfate to precipitate
the ASTM website.
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nonuniformly. In the presence of organic matter certain bacte-
Withdrawn. The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced
on www.astm.org. ria may reduce sulfate to sulfide. To minimize the action of
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D516–07
sulfatereducingbacteria,samplesshouldberefrigeratedat4°C 9. Sampling
when the presence of such bacteria is suspected.
9.1 Collect the sample in accordance with Practice D1066,
6.3 Although other ions normally found in water do not
Specification D1192, and Practices D3370, as applicable.
appeartointerfere,theformationofthebariumsulfatesuspen-
sion is very critical. Det
...