Air Program Laboratory

Analytical Lab Protocols

The Air Program Laboratory is specifically operated to provide chemical analysis of relatively pure waters from non-polluted environments. Such operation requires strict protocols for laboratory cleanliness to avoid contamination. Daily action is taken to insure a contamination free environment. The following is a list of our surface water, precipitation, soil water and snow analysis techniques and equipment.

pH, ANC, and Conductivity

Technique

pH - EPA Method 150.1 (Electrometric) (EPA 1983a)
ANC - Gran analysis technique (Gran 1952)
Conductivity - EPA Method 120.1 (Specific Conductance, uS/cm at 25 degrees C) (EPA 1983b)

Equipment

pH and ANC - Metrohm/Brinkmann Titrando Titration System (Model 809)
Conductivity - Metrohm/Brinkmann Conductivity Meter (Model 712)

Anions and Cations

Technique

Anions - Ion Chromatograph (IC) with separator column
Cations - EPA Method 300.0 (EPA 1993) and monovalent/divalent column

Equipment

Anions - Metrohm Compact IC with Metrosep A Separator Column (Model 761), plus autosampler (Model 838)
Cations - Metrohm Compact IC with Waters IC PAK Cation M/D Column (Model 761), plus autosampler (Model 838)

Turbidity

Technique

Nephelometric Method (APHA 1998a)

Equipment

Turbidity Meter

Suspended Solids

Technique

Total Suspended Solids (APHA 1998b)

Methods References:

Gran, G. 1952. Determination of the equivalence point in potentiometric titrations. Part II. Analyst 77:661-671.

EPA 1983a. pH Method 150.1 (Electrometric). pp.150.1-1 to 150.1-3 In: EPA/600/4-79-020 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Cincinnati, Ohio.

EPA 1983b. Conductance Method 120.1 (Specific Conductance, uS/cm at 25 degrees C). pp.120.1-1 to 120.1-3 In: EPA/600/4-79-020 Methods for Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes, Cincinnati, Ohio.

EPA 1993. Determination of Inorganic Anions By Ion Chromatography Method 300.0. pp.300.0-1 to 300.0-30 In: EPA/600/4-93/100 Methods for the Determination of Inorganic Substances in Environmental Samples, Cincinnati, Ohio.

APHA 1998a. Nephelometric Method 2130B pp.2-9 to 2-11 In: Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, 20th edition, Washington, DC.

APHA 1998b. Total Suspended Solids dried at 103-105 degrees Celsius Method 2540D pp.2-57 to 2-58 In: Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Waste Water, 20th edition, Washington, DC.

Location: http://www.fs.fed.us/waterlab/labprotocols.shtml
Last modified: Tuesday, 21-Feb-2012 13:03:53 EST
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