USGS-NWQL: I-1054:  Aluminum, dissolved, water, DCP

  • Summary
  • Analytes
  • Revision
  • Data and Sites
Official Method Name
Aluminum, atomic emission spectrometric, d-c plasma
Current Revision
Revised 1985
Media
WATER
Instrumentation
Automated Spectrophotometer
Method Subcategory
Inorganic
Method Source
  USGS-NWQL
Citation
Methods for the Determination of Inorganic Substances in Water and Fluvial Sediments, Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the United States Geological Survey, Book 5, Chapter A1 Edited by Marvin J. Fishman and Linda C. Friedman
Brief Method Summary
Aluminum is determined by a direct-reading emission spectrometer which utilizes a d-c argon plasma as an excitation source (Johnson and others, 1979 a,b, 1980). A mixture of lithium chloride, sulfuric acid, and glycerin is added to samples and standards to provide a common background matrix and to compensate for viscosity changes. The liquid mixture is then converted by a ceramic nebulizer into a fine aerosol and introduced into the plasma via a plastic spray chamber and Pyrex injection tube. Aluminum is determined on the basis of the average of two replicate exposures, each of which is performed on a 10-second integrated intensity. Calibration is performed by standardization with a high-standard solution and a blank.
Scope and Application
This method may be used to analyze finished water, natural water, industrial water, and water-suspended sediment containing from 10 to 1000 ug/L of aluminum. Samples containing more than 1000 ug/L aluminum and (or) with specific conductances greater than 10,000 uS/cm need to be diluted.
Applicable Concentration Range
10-1000 ug/L
Interferences
Stray-light effects in a high-resolution, single-element d-c argon plasma emission spectrometer are negligible.
Quality Control Requirements
Calibrate instrument using calibration standards (CAL). Quality control samples (QCS) and laboratory blanks (LB) analyzed at a minimum of 1 each after every 10 samples. (Reference OFR 95-443).
Sample Handling
Container Description: 250 mL Polyethylene bottle, acid-rinsed.
Treatment and Preservation: Filter through 0.45-um filter, use filtered sample to rinse containers and acidify sample with HNO3 to pH < 2.
Maximum Holding Time
180 days
Relative Cost
Less than $50
Sample Preparation Methods