Astm D 3859 – 03 pdf free download

Standard Test Methods for
Selenium in Water1

This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3859; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of the last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope*

1.1 These test methods cover the determination of dissolved
and total recoverable selenium in most waters and wastewaters.
Both test methods utilize atomic absorption procedures, as
follows:
Sections
Test Method A—Gaseous Hydride AAS2 7 to 16
Test Method B—Graphite Furnace AAS 17 to 26

1.2 These test methods are applicable to both inorganic and
organic forms of dissolved selenium. They are applicable also
to particulate forms of the element, provided that they are
solubilized in the appropriate acid digestion step. However,
certain selenium-containing heavy metallic sediments may not
undergo digestion.

1.3 These test methods are most applicable within the
following ranges:
Test Method A 1 to 20 µg/L
Test Method B 2 to 100 µg/L
These ranges may be extended (with a corresponding loss in
precision) by decreasing the sample size or diluting the original
sample, but concentrations much greater than the upper limits
are more conveniently determined by flame atomic absorption
spectrometry.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazard
statements, see11.12 and 13.14.

2. Referenced Documents

2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water3
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water3
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of