USGS-NWQL: I-3095:  Beryllium, total-recoverable, water, FLAA

  • Summary
  • Analytes
  • Revision
  • Data and Sites
Official Method Name
Beryllium, atomic absorption spectrometric, direct
Current Revision
Revised 1985
Media
WATER
Instrumentation
Flame Atomic Absorption
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
Beryllium is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Calcium chloride is added to control ionization of beryllium in the flame.
Scope and Application
This method may be used to analyze water and water-suspended sediment containing at least 10 ug/L of beryllium. Sample solutions containing more than 200 ug/L need to be diluted.
Total recoverable beryllium in water-suspended sediment needs to undergo preliminary digestion-solubilization by method I-3485, and recoverable beryllium in bottom material needs to undergo preliminary digestion-solubilization by method I-5485 before being determined.
Applicable Concentration Range
10-200 ug/L
Interferences
Beryllium is slightly ionized in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame; to control this effect, calcium chloride solution must be added to each standard and sample.
Bicarbonate ion interferes; however, this interference is of no consequence if samples pre-served by the addition of acid are used for the analysis.
Aluminum at concentrations greater than 500 ug/L has been reported to depress the beryllium absorbance.
Sodium and silicon at concentrations in excess of 1000 mg/L have been reported to severely depress the beryllium absorbance (Environmental Protection Agency, 1979).
Quality Control Requirements
Calibrate instrument using calibration standards (CAL). Quality control samples (QCS) and laboratory blanks (LB) analyzed at a minimum of I each after every 10 samples. (Reference OFR 95-443).
Sample Handling
Container Description: 250 mL Polyethylene bottle, acid-rinsed.
Treatment and Preservation: Use unfiltered sample to rinse bottles, then acidify collected sample with HNO3 to pH < 2.
Maximum Holding Time
180 days
Relative Cost
Less than $50
Sample Preparation Methods
I-3485