Standard Methods: 3113 B: Metals in Water by GFAA

Summary
Analytes
Revision
Data and Sites

Official Method Name

Metals in Water by Electrothermal Atomic Absorption Spectrometry

Current Revision

Standard Methods Online

Media

WATER

Instrumentation

Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectrometer

Method Subcategory

Inorganic

Method Source

Standard Methods

Citation

Standard Methods Online - Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater

Brief Method Summary

The sample is prepared using an appropriate metals digestion procedure, and the digestate is analyzed uing a graphite furnace atomic absorption (GFAA) spectrometer to quantitate metals in the sample.

Scope and Application

Electrothermal atomic absorption permits determination of most metallic elements in water with sensitivity and detection limits from 20 to 1000 times better than those of flame techniques.

Applicable Concentration Range

Varies with analyte.

Interferences

(1) Molecular absorption can occur when components of the sample matrix volatilize during atomization resulting in broadband absorption. (2) Chemical and matrix interferences can occur, but may be mitigated by using matrix modifiers.

Quality Control Requirements

See Standard Methods Section 3020.

Sample Handling

See Method 3030-B for sample collection information.

Maximum Holding Time

6 months

Relative Cost

$201 to $400

Sample Preparation Methods

This method has 18 analytes associated with it.

Analyte	Detection Level	Bias	Precision	Spiking Level
Aluminum(7429-90-5) Al Aluminium Aluminum Aluminum (fume or dust) Aluminum powder	3.000 ug/L	104% Rec (ML)	15.00 % RSD (ML)	200.00 ug/L
Antimony(7440-36-0) Antimony Sb Stibium	3.000 ug/L	97% Rec (ML)	17.20 % RSD (ML)	100.00 ug/L
Arsenic(7440-38-2) Arsenic As	1.000 ug/L	100% Rec (ML)	10.80 % RSD (ML)	80.00 ug/L
Barium(7440-39-3) Ba Barium	2.000 ug/L	N/A	N/A
Beryllium(7440-41-7) Be Beryllium Glucinium	0.200 ug/L	92% Rec (ML)	8.90 % RSD (ML)	9.00 ug/L
Cadmium(7440-43-9) Cadmium Cd	0.100 ug/L	99% Rec (ML)	9.90 % RSD (ML)	20.00 ug/L
Chromium(7440-47-3) Chromium Cr	2.000 ug/L	101% Rec (ML)	11.90 % RSD (ML)	20.00 ug/L
Cobalt(7440-48-4) Co Cobalt	1.000 ug/L	98% Rec (ML)	10.00 % RSD (ML)	30.00 ug/L
Copper(7440-50-8) Copper Copper (metallic) Cu	1.000 ug/L	102% Rec (ML)	12.00 % RSD (ML)	20.00 ug/L
Iron(7439-89-6) Fe Iron	1.000 ug/L	109% Rec (ML)	11.60 % RSD (ML)	40.00 ug/L
Lead(7439-92-1) Lead Lead and compounds (inorganic) Lead and lead compounds Pb	1.000 ug/L	101% Rec (ML)	8.50 % RSD (ML)	80.00 ug/L
Manganese(7439-96-5) Manganese Mn	0.200 ug/L	98% Rec (ML)	9.10 % RSD (ML)	80.00 ug/L
Molybdenum(7439-98-7) Amperit 105.054 Amperit 106.2 EINECS 231-107-2 HSDB 5032 MChVL Metco 63 Mo Molybdenum Molybdenum, metallic TsM1	1.000 ug/L	91% Rec (ML)	20.20 % RSD (ML)	20.00 ug/L
Nickel(7440-02-0) Ni Nickel Nickel, soluble salts Raney Nickel (R)	1.000 ug/L	101% Rec (ML)	9.40 % RSD (ML)	90.00 ug/L
Selenium(7782-49-2) Se Selenium Selenium and Compounds	2.000 ug/L	95% Rec (ML)	12.50 % RSD (ML)	100.00 ug/L
Silver(7440-22-4) Ag Silver	0.200 ug/L	102% Rec (ML)	9.80 % RSD (ML)	30.00 ug/L
Sodium arsenite(7784-46-5) EPA Pesticide Chemical Code 013603 Sodium arsenite Sodium metaarsenite	N/A	N/A	N/A
Tin(7440-31-5) Sn Tin	5.000 ug/L	N/A	N/A

Precision Descriptor Notes:	Precision and accuracy values were calculated using interlaboratory data from EPA-managed Water Pollution (WP) performance evaluation studies.
Detection Level Note:	Estimated detection levels (EDLs) are given in Table 3113:II of Method 3113A. Monitoring wavelengths associated with EDLs are also given in the table.

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Standard Methods: 3113 B: Metals in Water by GFAA

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