ASTM D3590-17

This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D3590 − 17
Standard Test Methods for
1
Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen in Water
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3590; 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 (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications
for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of total
Kjeldahl nitrogen. Section 24 on Quality Control pertains to
3. Terminology
these test methods. The following test methods are included:
3.1 Definitions:
Sections
Test Method A—Manual Digestion/Distillation 8–14 3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
Test Method B—Semiautomated Colorimetric Bertholt 15–23
Terminology D1129.
1.2 The analyst should be aware that precision and bias
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
statements included may not necessarily apply to the water
3.2.1 continuing calibration blank, n—a solution containing
being tested.
no analytes (of interest) which is used to verify blank response
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
and freedom from carryover.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.2.2 continuing calibration verification, n—a solution (or
standard.
setofsolutions)ofknownconcentrationusedtoverifyfreedom
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the from excessive instrumental drift; the concentration is to cover
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the range of calibration curve.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.2.3 total Kjeldahl nitrogen, n—the sum of the nitrogen
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
contained in the free ammonia and other nitrogen compounds,
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
which are converted to ammonium sulfate [(NH ) SO ] under
4 2 4
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
the specified digestion conditions.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4. Significance and Use
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
4.1 These test methods are useful for measuring organic
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
nitrogen and ammoniacal nitrogen, which are essential growth
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
nutrients.
2. Referenced Documents
4.2 Nitrogen compounds are widely distributed in the envi-
2
ronment. Sources of nitrogen include surface-applied
2.1 ASTM Standards:
fertilizers, cleaning products, and drinking water treatment
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
aids. Because nitrogen is a nutrient for photosynthetic
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
organisms, it may be important to monitor and control dis-
D1426 Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water
charge into the environment.
D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
5. Interferences
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits
D5810 Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples
5.1 Nitrateisknowntocauseaseriousnegativeinterference
in the test. Reportedly, a concentration of 250 mg/L NO
3
resultsinzerorecoveryofsomelevelofmg/LNaddedassome
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
nitrogen compound.
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic
Constituents in Water.
5.2 The analyst is cautioned that ammonia in the laboratory
Current edition approved June 1, 2017. Published June 2017. Originally
may easily become an interference in these test methods from
approved in 1977. Last previous edition approved in 2011 as D3590 – 11. DOI:
10.1520/D3590-17.
contamination of reagents, caps, or from the laboratory atmo-
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
sphere. Care should be taken that ammonium hydroxide, either
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
as a reagent or as a cleaning substance, is not used in the same
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. room.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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D3590 − 17
6. Purity of Reag
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