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.