ASTM_D_4129_-_05_2013.pdf

Designation:D412905(Reapproved 2013)Standard Test Method forTotal and Organic Carbon in Water by High TemperatureOxidation and by Coulometric Detection1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4129;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 the determination of total andorganic carbon in water and waste water,including brackishwaters and brines in the range from 2 to 20 000 mg/L.This testmethod has the advantages of a wide range of concentrationwhich may be determined without sample dilution and theprovision for boat or capillary introduction of samples contain-ing sediments and particulate matter where syringe injection isinappropriate.1.2 This procedure is applicable only to that carbonaceousmatter in the sample that can be introduced into the reactionzone.When syringe injection is used to introduce samples intothe combustion zone,the syringe needle opening size limits themaximum size of particles that can be present in samples.Sludge and sediment samples must be homogenized prior tosampling with a micropipetor or other appropriate sampler andladle introduction into the combustion zone is required.1.3 The precision and bias information reported in this testmethod was obtained in collaborative testing that includedwaters of the following types:distilled,deionized,potable,natural,brine,municipal and industrial waste,and waterderived from oil shale retorting.Since the precision and biasinformation reported may not apply to waters of all matrices,itis the users responsibility to ensure the validity of this testmethod on samples of other matrices.1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.5 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.For specificprecautionary statements,see 9.1 and 10.2.1.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D513 Test Methods for Total and Dissolved Carbon Dioxidein WaterD1129 Terminology Relating to WaterD1193 Specification for Reagent WaterD3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed ConduitsD3856 Guide for Management Systems in LaboratoriesEngaged in Analysis of WaterD4210 Practice for Intralaboratory Quality Control Proce-dures and a Discussion on Reporting Low-Level Data(Withdrawn 2002)3D5789 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specificationsfor Standard Test Methods for Organic Constituents(Withdrawn 2002)33.Terminology3.1 DefinitionsFor definitions of terms used in this testmethod,refer to Terminology D1129.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 The sample is homogenized or diluted,or both,asnecessary.If the sample does not contain suspended particlesor high-salt level a 0.200-mL portion is injected into thereaction zone.For samples containing solids or high salt levels,portions are placed in combustion boats containing tungstentrioxide(WO3)or quartz capillaries and introduced into thereaction zone using a ladle.In the reaction zone the heat,oxidation catalyst and oxygen atmosphere convert carbona-ceous matter to carbon dioxide(CO2).The oxygen gas streamsweeps the gaseous reaction products through a series ofscrubbers for potentially interfering gases and then to theabsorption/titration cell.The CO2is determined by automaticcoulometric titration.Calibration by testing known carboncontent standards is not required,however,standards areanalyzed periodically to confirm proper operation.1This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Waterand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.06 on Methods forAnalysis forOrganic Substances in Water.Current edition approved May 1,2013.Published May 2013.Originallyapproved in 1982.Last previous edition approved in 2012 as D4129 05(2012).DOI:10.1520/D4129-05R13.2For 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.3The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced onwww.astm.org.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 4.2 Carbon dioxide is liberated from carbonates as well asfrom organic matter under the reaction conditions.Organiccarbon is determined by difference between the total carbonand the inorganic carbon determined separately or by acidify-ing a portion of the sample to a pH of 2 or less and spargingwithcarbondioxide-freegastoremovecarbonates,bicarbonates