EPA-NERL: 415.1: Total Organic Carbon
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Official Method Name
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Organic Carbon, Total (Combustion or Oxidation) |
|---|---|
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Current Revision
| Issued 1971; Editorial Revision 1974 |
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Media
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WATER |
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Instrumentation
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Total Organic Carbon Analyzer |
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Method Subcategory
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Organic |
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Method Source
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Citation
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Brief Method Summary
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Organic carbon in a sample is converted to carbon dioxide by catalytic combustion or wet chemical oxidations. The carbon dioxide formed can be measured directly by an infrared detector or converted to methane and measured by a flame ionization detector. The amount of carbon dioxide or methane is directly proportional to the concentration of carbonaceous material in the sample. |
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Scope and Application
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This method determines organic carbon in drinking, surface, and saline waters; domestic and industrial wastes. |
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Applicable Concentration Range
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Above 1 mg/L |
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Interferences
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(A) Carbonate and Bicarbonate: Effects of carbonate and bicarbonate on measurments must be removed by calculation. (B) Homogeneity: This method is only applicable to samples that can be reproducibly injected with a microliter pipet. Large particulate in the samples will not be captured by the method. (C) Bacteria: Bacterial decomposition of TOC constituents can occur. To reduce decomposition's effect, analyze quickly or refrigerate. |
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Quality Control Requirements
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None. |
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Sample Handling
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Sample collection in glass bottles is preferred; plastic bottles are acceptable if they will not leach orgaincs into the sample. Sample is acidified with H2SO4 to pH < 2 when analysis cannot be performed within two hours. Refrigerate at 4oC. |
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Maximum Holding Time
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28 days (MCAWW, Table 1). |
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Relative Cost
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$51 to $200 |
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Sample Preparation Methods
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None. |
