Significance and Use

This test method may be used for the determination of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in atmospheric wet deposition samples.

Emphasis is placed on the easily contaminated quality of atmospheric wet deposition samples due to the low concentration levels of dissolved metals commonly present.

Annex A1 represents cumulative frequency percentile concentration plots of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium obtained from analyses of over five thousand wet deposition samples. These data may be used as an aid in the selection of appropriate calibration standard concentrations. (3)

1. Scope

1.1 This test method is applicable to the determination of calcium, magnesium, potassium, and sodium in atmospheric wet deposition (rain, snow, sleet, and hail) by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry (FAAS). (1)

1.2 The concentration ranges are listed below. The range tested was confirmed using the interlaboratory collaborative test (see Table 1 for a statistical summary of the collaborative test).

1.3 The method detection limit (MDL) is based on single operator precision (2) and may be higher or lower for other operators and laboratories. Many workers have found that this test method is reliable at lower levels than were tested, but the precision and bias data presented are insufficient to justify their use at lower levels.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific warning statements are given in 8.3, 8.7, 12.1.8, and Section 9.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D883 Terminology Relating to Plastics

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres

D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water

D4453 Practice for Handling of High Purity Water Samples

D4691 Practice for Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

D5012 Guide for Preparation of Materials Used for the Collection and Preservation of Atmospheric Wet Deposition

E131 Terminology Relating to Molecular Spectroscopy

E275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance of Ultraviolet and Visible Spectrophotometers

E694 Specification for Laboratory Glass Volumetric Apparatus

IEEE/ASTM SI-10 Standard for Use of the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric System

Keywords

atmospheric wet deposition; atomic absorption; calcium; magnesium; potassium; precipitation; sodium; Atmospheric wet deposition (AWD); Beer's law; Calcium content--atmospheric analysis; Contamination--atmospheric; FAAS (flame atomic absorption spectrometry); Hail; Magnesium content--atmospheric analysis; Method detection limit (MDL); Potassium content--atmospheric analysis; Rain; Sleet; Snow; Sodium content--atmospheric analysis; Spectrophotometry--atomic absorption;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 07.060 (Geology. Meteorology. Hydrology); 71.040.40 (Chemical analysis)

DOI: 10.1520/D5086-01R08

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ASTM D5086