USGS-NWQL: I-1272:  Copper, dissolved in water by GFAA

  • Summary
  • Analytes
  • Revision
  • Data and Sites
Official Method Name
Copper, atomic absorption spectrometric, graphite furnace
Current Revision
1985
Media
WATER
Instrumentation
Graphite Furnace-Atomic Absorption Spectrometer
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
Copper is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry in conjunction with a graphite furnace containing a graphite platform (Hinder-berger and others, 1981). A sample is placed on the graphite platform, and the sample is then evaporated to dryness, charred, and atomized using high-temperature ramping. The absorption signal generated during atomization is recorded and compared with standards.
Scope and Application
This method may be used to determine copper in low ionic-strength water and precipitation. With deuterium background correction and a 20-uL sample, the method is applicable in the range from 0.2 to 10 ug/L. With Zeeman background correction and a 20-uL sample, the method is applicable in the range from 0.5 to 35 ug/L. Sample solutions that contain copper concentrations exceeding the upper limits must be diluted or preferably be analyzed by the atomic absorption spectrometric direct or chelation-extraction method, or by the atomic emission spectrometric ICP method. The analytical range and detection limits can be increased or possibly decreased by varying the volume of sample injected or the instrumental settings. Purification of reagents and use of ASTM Type 1 water (Method D-1193, American Society for Testing and Materials, 1984) may result in lower detection limits.
Applicable Concentration Range
0.2 to 35 ug/L depending on background correction
Interferences
Interferences in low ionic-strength samples, such as precipitation, normally are quite low. In addition, the use of the graphite platform reduces the effects of many interferences. Calcium (60 mg/L), magnesium (10 mg/L), sodium (50 mg/L), sulfate (100 mg/L), and chloride (40 mg/L) do not interfere. Higher concentrations of these constituents were not investigated. Precipitation samples usually contain very low concentrations of copper. Special precautionary measures must be employed during both sample collection and laboratory determination to prevent contamination.
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
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
$51 to $200
Sample Preparation Methods