Application of modified aluminon and GFAAS methods to beryllium determination in drinking water

Technical Report · Wed Jan 01 04:00:00 EST 1992

OSTI ID:5217679

Lytle, D A; George, G K; Doerger, J U

On July 25, 1990, the USEPA proposed to establish a drinking water standard for beryllium of 1.0 micrograms/L. The proposed standard will require water utilities to demonstrate compliance through a set of monitoring requirements. The EPA has recommended three analytical techniques that can be used to detect beryllium in drinking water below the proposed maximum contaminant level (MCL). These techniques are: Atomic Absorption, Inductively-Coupled Plasma (ICP), and ICP Mass Spectrometry. High costs of ICP Instrumentation will make atomic absorption the choice for most water utility laboratories and many private laboratories measuring trace levels of beryllium in drinking water. The current beryllium atomic absorption methods are based on the method of standard additions. Other cheaper methods for measuring beryllium are available, however, require a preconcentration procedure in order to measure beryllium at levels below the proposed MCL. The paper develops a beryllium atomic absorption method that uses a matrix modifier to eliminate chemical interferences. It also develops a beryllium preconcentration procedure which allows beryllium levels below the proposed MCL to be measured by using a colorimetric method (aluminon method).

• Research Organization: Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH (United States). Drinking Water Research Div.
• OSTI ID: 5217679
• Report Number(s): PB-92-180199/XAB; EPA--600/A-92/100
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

29 ENERGY PLANNING, POLICY, AND ECONOMY
290300 -- Energy Planning & Policy-- Environment
Health
& Safety
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540320* -- Environment
Aquatic-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
ABSORPTION SPECTROSCOPY
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
BERYLLIUM
CHEMICAL ANALYSIS
CONTAMINATION
DRINKING WATER
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
ELEMENTS
ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MAXIMUM PERMISSIBLE CONCENTRATION
METALS
NATIONAL ORGANIZATIONS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SAFETY STANDARDS
SPECTROSCOPY
STANDARDS
TRACE AMOUNTS
US EPA
US ORGANIZATIONS
WATER
WATER QUALITY
WATER TREATMENT