ASTM D1976

Elements in Water by Inductively-Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy

Applicability: ASTM D1976 is a standard test method used to determine dissolved, total-recoverable, or total elements in drinking water, ground water, surface water, and domestic, commercial, or industrial wastewaters. It is also useful for mining-influenced waters such as acid rock drainage, oil and gas produced water and well water monitoring, and leachates and effluents from ore, mining, and metallurgical waste characterization tests.

Purpose: The purpose of ASTM D1976 is to measure element concentrations in water by inductively-coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP-AES), allowing the simultaneous determination of up to 29 elements. The method offers high sensitivity and a large dynamic range for some elements that are difficult to determine by techniques such as flame atomic absorption, and results support baseline analysis, environmental monitoring, and waste characterization.