ASTM D3986-95

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3986 – 95
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Barium in Brines, Seawater, and Brackish Water by Direct-
1
Current Argon Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3986; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope the excited barium atom decays to a lower energy state it emits
energy of a wavelength characteristic to the barium atom. The
1.1 This test method covers the determination of dissolved
intensity of this emitted radiation will increase in direct
and total recoverable barium in brines, seawater, and brackish
proportion to the concentration of barium in the sample, when
waters by direct-current argon plasma atomic emission spec-
working in the linear response range.
troscopy (DCAP–AES).
4.2 Since the variable and often high concentration of
1.2 This test method has been tested in the range from 10
matrix materials in brines, seawater, and brackish water affect
mg/L to 20 mg/L. Samples shall be diluted to contain concen-
emission differently, it is a difficult task to prepare standards
trations within the calibration range (see 11.1 and 12.5). Higher
sufficiently similar to the samples. To overcome this problem,
concentrations can also be determined by changing to a less
the standards are buffered with lithium ion and the samples are
sensitive emission line.
diluted and buffered in the same manner. The standards are
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
used to construct a calibration curve and the concentration of
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
the samples are calculated from this curve. Alternatively, the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
instrument may be calibrated using a blank and a standard or
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bracketing standards. The sample concentration can then be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
read out directly from the instrument.
2. Referenced Documents
4.3 The 455.4-nm line has been found to be the most
2.1 ASTM Standards:
satisfactory for analysis.
2
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
NOTE 1—The barium lines at 230.4 nm, 233.5 nm, and 553.6 nm have
D 1192 Specification for Equipment for Sampling Water
been checked and found to be unsatisfactory for this analysis.
2
and Steam in Closed Conduits
2 4.4 Dissolved barium is determined by filtering the sample
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
through a 0.45-μm pore size membrane filter (Note 2) at the
D 3352 Test Method for Strontium Ion in Brackish Water,
3 time of sampling. This definition of “dissolved” barium is
Seawater, and Brines
arbitrary since very fine crystals of barium sulfate may pass
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Con-
2 through the membrane filter.
duits
NOTE 2—These filters have been found to be contaminated to various
3. Terminology
degrees with heavy metals depending on the manufacturer. Care should be
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this test
exercised in selecting a source for these filters. It has been found to be a
method refer to Terminology D 1129.
good practice to wash the filters with nitric acid and then reagent water
before filtering a sample.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 total recoverable barium—recorverable forms of
4.5 If there are no visible suspended solids in the sample,
barium that are determinable by the digestion method which is
total recoverable barium may be determined on an acidified
included in the procedure.
unfiltered sample in the same manner as dissolved barium.
4.6 When the sample contains suspended solids total recov-
4. Summary of Test Method
erable barium is determined by an acid digestion step to
4.1 This test method is dependent upon excitation of the
destroy organic and inorganic particulates.
barium atom by a direct-current argon plasma source. When
5. Significance and Use
1 5.1 All waters containing acid soluble barium compounds
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on Water
are known to be toxic. This test method is useful for the
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituents
in Water.
determination of barium in brines, seawater, and brackish
Current edition approved Dec. 10, 1995. Published February 1996. Originally
waters.
published as D 3986 – 81. Last previous edition D 3986 – 81 (1991).
2 5.2 Consumption,
...