ASTM_E_2143_-_01_2013.pdf

Designation:E214301(Reapproved 2013)Standard Test Method forUsing Field-Portable Fiber Optics SynchronousFluorescence Spectrometer for Quantification of FieldSamples for Aromatic and Polycyclic AromaticHydrocarbons1This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2143;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This test method covers a rapid method for the screeningof environmental samples for aromatic hydrocarbons(AHs)and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons(PAHs).The screeningtakes place in the field and provides immediate feedback onlimits of contamination by substances containing AHs andPAHs.Quantification is obtained by the use of appropriatelycharacterized,site-specific calibration curves.Remote sensingby use of optical fibers is useful for accessing difficult to reachareas or potentially dangerous materials or situations.Whencontamination of field personnel by dangerous materials is apossibility,use of remote sensors may minimize or eliminatethe likelihood of such contamination taking place.1.2 This test method is applicable to AHs and PAHs presentin samples extracted from soils or in water.This test method isapplicable for field screening or,with an appropriatecalibration,quantification of total AHs and PAHs.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D1129 Terminology Relating to WaterD4489 Practices for Sampling of Waterborne OilsD5412 Test Method for Quantification of Complex Polycy-clic Aromatic Hydrocarbon Mixtures or Petroleum Oils inWaterE131 Terminology Relating to Molecular SpectroscopyE388 Test Method for Wavelength Accuracy and SpectralBandwidth of Fluorescence SpectrometersE578 Test Method for Linearity of Fluorescence MeasuringSystemsE579 Test Method for Limit of Detection of Fluorescence ofQuinine Sulfate in Solution3.Terminology3.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method refer toTerminology D1129 and E131.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 This test method consists of extracting the AHs andPAHs from soil samples or preparation of water samplesfollowed by synchronous fluorescence analysis with a field-portable instrument.The samples require serial dilutions ofsamples to establish a linear response.These measurements aremade using standard fluorescence cuvettes.While some opti-mization of selectivity can be accomplished by varying thewavelength difference between excitation and emissionmonochromators,generally spectra generated from petroleumcontaminants with a wavelength difference such as 6 or 18 nmprovide good results and no preliminary spectra are required(see Test Method D5412).4.2 Different soils have varying partition coefficients.Therefore,representative samples of a subset of the extracts orthe water samples should be analyzed by gas chromatography(GC)or other appropriate methods.The purpose is to establisha site-specific calibration curve to be used for quantification oftotal AHs and PAHs in the environmental samples of interest.4.3 When desirable,determination of AHs and PAHs maybe made remotely using an optical fiber.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E13 onMolecular Spectroscopy and Separation Science and is the direct responsibility ofSubcommittee E13.09 on Fiber Optics,Waveguides,and Optical Sensors.Current edition approved Jan.1,2013.Published January 2013.Originallyapproved in 2001.Last previous edition approved in 2006 as E2143 01(2006)1.DOI:10.1520/E2143-01R13.2For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 5.Significance and Use5.1 This technique is designed for on-site rapid screeningand characterization of environmental soil and water samplesresulting in significant cost savings for environmental reme-diation projects.Remote analysis can be made with opticalfibers when situations warrant or demand use of this option.5.2 Quantification of total AHs and PAHs in these environ-mental samples is accomplished by having a subset of thesamples analyzed by an alternate technique and generating asite-specific calibration curve.5.3 Synchronous fluorescence provides sufficient spectralinformation to charac