ASTM D4190-15 (2023) PDF

Full title and description

ASTM D4190-15(2023) — Standard Test Method for Elements in Water by Direct‑Current Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy. This method specifies the procedures, analytical ranges, and basic quality‑control measures for the determination of selected dissolved and total‑recoverable elements in natural and reagent waters using direct‑current plasma (DCP) atomic emission spectroscopy.

Abstract

This test method (D4190-15, reaffirmed/revised 2023) provides a DCP‑AES procedure for simultaneous determination of up to 15 elements in waters (drinking, surface, sea, snow and Type II reagent water). It describes sample handling for dissolved and total‑recoverable determinations, common interferences and mitigation, calibration and control practices, and typical concentration ranges for the listed analytes.

General information

• Status: Active / Current edition (revised/reapproved 2023).
• Publication date: Current edition approved Dec 1, 2023; published January 2024 (document designation D4190-15(2023)).
• Publisher: ASTM International (formerly ASTM — American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 13.060.50 — Examination of water for chemical substances.
• Edition / version: D4190-15, current edition shown as D4190-15(2023).
• Number of pages: 8 pages (standard short test method format).

Scope

The standard covers the determination of dissolved and total‑recoverable elements in water matrices — including drinking water, lake and river water, seawater, snow, and Type II reagent water — using direct‑current plasma atomic emission spectroscopy (DCP‑AES). It applies to the 15 elements listed in the standard’s Annex table and specifies concentration ranges and matrix limitations; it is not intended for brines unless they can be matrix‑matched or diluted sufficiently to meet detection limits.

Key topics and requirements

• Instrumentation: direct‑current plasma (DCP) atomic emission spectrometer configured for aqueous samples and appropriate spectral line selection.
• Analytes: method applicable to a defined list of up to 15 elements (examples in the standard include aluminum, beryllium, boron, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, iron, lead, manganese, mercury, nickel, strontium, vanadium and zinc).
• Sample preparation: dissolved elements by filtration and acidification; total‑recoverable elements by acid digestion (specified digestion procedure) when large particles are present.
• Matrix effects and mitigation: recommendations for matrix matching, use of a lithium ionic buffer (e.g., addition of lithium) to minimize matrix enhancement/suppression, and dilution strategies for high‑salinity samples.
• Calibration and QC: use of standards, blanks, calibration verification, and routine quality‑control checks to establish method performance and linear ranges.
• Reporting and units: values stated in SI units per the standard; detection and reporting limits depend on element and matrix as specified in the method tables.

Typical use and users

Routine users include environmental and commercial water‑testing laboratories, municipal and utility water quality teams, regulatory compliance laboratories, research institutions, and industrial process monitoring labs that require multi‑element screening of aqueous samples where DCP‑AES sensitivity and throughput are appropriate. The method is typically used for monitoring elemental concentrations, compliance screening, and supporting investigative environmental studies.

Related standards

Closely related and complementary methods include ASTM D5673 (elements in water by ICP‑MS) for lower detection limits and trace analysis, various EPA methods and listings that reference DCP and ICP procedures for regulatory programs, and other ASTM water‑analysis standards covering sampling, preservation and specific analytes. Users commonly consult these documents in conjunction with D4190 when selecting instrumentation or preparing regulatory reports.

Keywords

D4190, DCP, direct‑current plasma, atomic emission spectroscopy, elements in water, metals, dissolved elements, total‑recoverable, water analysis, environmental monitoring, ASTM D4190-15(2023).

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D4190‑15(2023) is a Standard Test Method that defines a DCP‑AES procedure for determining specific elemental concentrations in water samples, including guidance on sample preparation, instrument operation, calibration, and quality control.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers the simultaneous determination of up to 15 selected elements in dissolved and total‑recoverable forms for a variety of water matrices (drinking, surface, sea, snow, Type II reagent water) and provides allowable concentration ranges, matrix‑handling guidance, and QC practices. It is not intended for untreated brines unless matrix matching or extensive dilution is feasible.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental testing labs, municipal and utility water quality groups, regulators and compliance laboratories, industrial monitoring labs, and academic researchers who need a DCP‑AES based multi‑element screening technique.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The designation D4190‑15 refers to the 2015 revision; the document has a current edition shown as D4190‑15(2023) with the latest edition approved Dec 1, 2023 (published January 2024 in ASTM listings). Users should verify the edition date before citing the method in regulatory or contractual work.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: Yes — it is part of ASTM Committee D19’s water and environmental technology standards and sits alongside other elemental analysis standards (for example ASTM D5673 for ICP‑MS and related sampling/preservation standards used in water analysis).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: DCP, direct‑current plasma, atomic emission spectroscopy, elements in water, dissolved metals, total‑recoverable metals, water analysis, environmental monitoring, ASTM D4190.