USGS: TWRI BK 9 CH A5.6.4.A:  Arsenic Speciation in Water Sample Processing

  • Summary
  • Analytes
  • Revision
  • Data and Sites
Official Method Name
 Section 5.6.4.A: Arsenic Speciation (of USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data)
Current Revision
Version 2.0, August 2012
Media
 WATER
Instrumentation
 Liquid Chromatography with Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry
Method Subcategory
 Organic+Inorganic
Method Source
  USGS
Citation
  J.R. Garbarino, M.J. Lewis, and A.J. Bednar, 2012, Arsenic Speciation (ver. 2.1): U.S. Geological Survey Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations, book 9, chap. A5, sec. 5.6.4.A, October 2012, accessed April 18, 2014, from http://pubs.water.usgs.gov/twri9A5/.
Protocol
 TWRI Book 9, Ch. A5 - National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data: USGS Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations Book 9, Ch. A5: Processing of Water Samples.
Brief Method Summary
 The speciation method used at the USGS National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL), Lab Code LC 31421, uses liquid chromatography to separate inorganic and organic arsenic species and inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) to measure the associated arsenic concentration . When using this speciation method, prior knowledge is needed of the major-cation concentrations present in the filtered sample. The major-cation data are necessary to determine (1) the volume of ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) that will be required for sample preservation, and (2) if sample dilution is required. The necessity for major-ion data is related to the amount of sample preservative (EDTA) that is required.
Scope and Application
 This method pertains to Chapter A5: "Processing of Water Samples" from the USGS National Field Manual for the Collection of Water-Quality Data (TWRI Book 9).
Applicable Concentration Range
Interferences
 Exposure of the sample to air and sunlight should be minimized to prevent metal-oxide precipitation. Do not rinse the filter with acid.
Quality Control Requirements
 When collecting arsenic speciation data, it is recommended to collect, at a minimum, a set of blank, replicate, and spike QC samples with every 20 environmental samples. The bottle must be filled completely to the brim.
Sample Handling
 Chill and maintain the sample at 4oC.
Maximum Holding Time
 Sample is stable for up to 3 months, but the sample should be shipped within 14 days of collection.
Relative Cost
 Less than $50
Sample Preparation Methods
 Samples must be collected in an opaque sample bottle
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