WATER QUALITY: Analytical Methods: Determination of Aluminum (1051-74), Aluminum (1052-74), and Arsenic (1062-74)



                                           February 27, 1974

QUALITY OF WATER BRANCH TECHNICAL MEMORANDUM NO. 74.10

Subject: WATER QUALITY: Analytical Methods: Determination of 
         Aluminum (1051-74), Aluminum (1052-74), and Arsenic 
         (1062-74)

Enclosed are copies of three new or revised methods as follows:

Aluminum (1051-74) by direct AAS Aluminum (1052-74) by chelation 
extraction AAS Arsenic (1062-74) by AAS

Aluminum (1051-74): this is a new method to be used to analyze 
samples that contain iron at concentrations greater than 
10 mg/liter, at which concentrations, iron interferes with the 
chelation-extraction method (1052-74). The interference may be of 
little importance when analyzing fresh water, but can be important 
when analyzing the digestate from samples of bottom material, or 
even water-suspended sediment mixtures.

Aluminum (1052-74): this method is a revision of Aluminum 
(1052-72) and points out the interference of iron at 
concentrations greater than 10 mg/liter.

Arsenic (1062-74):   this methods is a revision of Arsenic 
(1062-73) and provides two important changes. An electrodeless 
discharge lamp (EDL) is substituted for the hollow-cathode lamp in 
the AA instrument to achieve greater stability and sensitivity. 
Nitrogen is substituted for argon to sweep the gaseous arsine from 
the generator to the burner (at a considerable savings in the cost 
of nitrogen vs. argon).

All Division laboratories are hereby requested to adopt the 
subject methods for immediate use. Questions or comments 
pertaining to the methods should be directed to the Chief, Quality
of Water Branch (Mail Stop 412, Reston, Virginia) .



                               R. J. Pickering

Enclosures

WRD Distribution: A, FO-L, PO