NEMI Method Summary

Method Summary Information

Method Number: I-5270 Media: SOILS/SEDIMENT
Revision: 1985
Method Source: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS)
Subcategory: INORGANIC Analytes in this method
Official Name: Copper, atomic absorption spectrometric, direct
Descriptive Name Copper, recoverable-from-bottom-material, dry wt, 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
166943 Byte file
Brief Method
Summary:
 Copper is determined by atomic absorption spectrometry by direct aspiration of the sample solution into an air-acetylene flame (Fishman and Downs, 1966). The procedure may be automated by the addition of a sampler and either a strip-chart recorder or a printer or both.
Scope And
Application:
 This method may be used to analyze bottom material containing at least 1 ug/g of copper. Prepared sample solutions containing more than 1,000 ug/L need either to be diluted or to be read on a less expanded scale.
Recoverable copper in bottom material needs to undergo preliminary digestion-solubilization by method I-5485 before being determined.
Applicable
Conc Range:
 10 - 1,000 ug/L
Interferences: Individual concentrations of sodium (9,000 mg/L), potassium (9,000 mg/L), calcium (4,000mg/L), magnesium (4,000 mg/L), sulfate (9,000 mg/L), chloride (9,000 mg/L), nitrate (2,000 mg/L), iron (4 X 106 ug/L), lead, cadmium, zinc, and chromium (10,000 ug/L each) do not interfere. Higher concentrations of each constituent were not investigated. Nickel and cobalt concentrations greater than 8,000 ug/L suppress the copper absorption.
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
Sample Handling: Container Description: 500 mL Polypropylene bottle, wide-mouth. Treatment and Preservation: No treatment, preservation or special shipping requirements
Max Holding Time:
 180 days
Sample Prep Met I-5485
Relative Cost: Less than $50
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