1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers a gas chromatographic procedure for the quantitative determination of selected chlorinated acids and other acidic herbicides in water. Similar chemicals may also be determined by this test method, but it is the user's responsibility to verify the applicability of this test method to any compounds not listed in this scope. The acid form of the following compounds were interlaboratory tested using this test method, and the results were found acceptable:

1.2 This test method may be applicable to the determination of salts and esters of analyte compounds. The form of each acid is not distinguished by this test method. Results are calculated and reported for each listed analyte as the total free acid.

1.3 This test method has been validated in an interlaboratory test for reagent water and finished tap water. The analyst should recognize that precision and bias reported in Section 18 may not be applicable to other waters.

1.4 This test method is restricted to use by or under the supervision of analysts experienced in the use of gas chromatography (GC) and in the interpretation of gas chromatograms. Each analyst must demonstrate the ability to generate acceptable results with this test method using the procedure described in 19.3. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.

1.5 Analytes that are not separated chromatographically, that is, which have very similar retention times, cannot be individually identified and measured in the same calibration mixture or water sample unless an alternate technique for identification and quantization exists (16.6, 16.7, and 16.8).

1.6 When this test method is used to analyze unfamiliar samples for any or all of the analytes given in 1.1, analyte identifications must be confirmed by at least one additional qualitative technique.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, 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. For specific precautionary statements, see Notes 1, 4, and 5, 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

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

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

D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits

D3856 Guide for Management Systems in Laboratories Engaged in Analysis of Water

D4210 Practice for Intralaboratory Quality Control Procedures and a Discussion on Reporting Low-Level Data

D5789 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Organic Constituents

EPA Standard

OSHA Standard

Keywords

electron capture; gas chromatography; herbicides; organic acid; Chlorinated phenoxy acid herbicide; Electron-capture detectors (ECD); Gas chromatography (GC)--water; Herbicides; Organic acid; Total free acid

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 71.080.40 (Organic acids)

DOI: 10.1520/D5317-98

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