NEMI Method Summary

Method Summary Information

Method Number: I-3095 Media: WATER
Revision: Revised 1985
Method Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Subcategory: INORGANIC Analytes in this method
Official Name: Beryllium, atomic absorption spectrometric, direct
Descriptive Name Beryllium, total-recoverable, water, FLAA
Source Info: USGS Branch of Information Services
Box 25286, MS 417
Federal Center
Denver, CO 80225-0286
Phone: 303-202-4700
Citation: USGS Methods, Volume A1
106839 Byte file
Brief Method
Summary:
 Beryllium is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry. Calcium chloride is added to control ionization of beryllium in the flame.
Scope And
Application:
 This method may be used to analyze water and water-suspended sediment containing at least 10 ug/L of beryllium. Sample solutions containing more than 200 ug/L need to be diluted.
Total recoverable beryllium in water-suspended sediment needs to undergo preliminary digestion-solubilization by method I-3485, and recoverable beryllium in bottom material needs to undergo preliminary digestion-solubilization by method I-5485 before being determined.
Applicable
Conc Range:
 10-200 ug/L
Interferences: Beryllium is slightly ionized in the nitrous oxide-acetylene flame; to control this effect, calcium chloride solution must be added to each standard and sample.
Bicarbonate ion interferes; however, this interference is of no consequence if samples pre-served by the addition of acid are used for the analysis.
Aluminum at concentrations greater than 500 ug/L has been reported to depress the beryllium absorbance.
Sodium and silicon at concentrations in excess of 1000 mg/L have been reported to severely depress the beryllium absorbance (Environmental Protection Agency, 1979).
QC Requirements: Calibrate instrument using calibration standards (CAL). Quality control samples (QCS) and laboratory blanks (LB) analyzed at a minimum of I each after every 10 samples. (Reference OFR 95-443).
Sample Handling: Container Description: 250 mL Polyethylene bottle, acid-rinsed.
Treatment and Preservation: Use unfiltered sample to rinse bottles, then acidify collected sample with HNO3 to pH < 2.
Max Holding Time:
 180 days
Sample Prep Met I-3485
Relative Cost: Less than $50
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