Release Date: September 14, 2006
Industry: Environmental
Instrument: Phoenix 8000
A Method for Accurate Total Organic Carbon (TOC) Sample Analysis in Ground/Drinking-Water Samples With High Inorganic Carbon (IC) Levels
The purpose of this study was to determine if it was possible to accurately quantify TOC levels in the presence of the high levels of IC, to detail any interference that might be observed (from the IC) and to determine ranges of IC for which accurate TOC recovery could be expected. It was also of interest to sequence samples so that observances could be made of calibration stability, instrument linearity and also any sample carry-over issues.
To simulate the potentially high levels of inorganic carbon in groundwater samples (as carbonate), TOC standards ranging from ~2.0 – 100 ppm (as carbon) were prepared and spiked with varying levels of IC from ~2.0 – 400 ppm (as carbon). The TOC standard was prepared using potassium acid phthalate (KHC8H4O4 or “KHP”), and the IC standard using sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3). Reference to “TOC” indicates carbon from KHP, and reference to “IC” indicates carbon from sodium bicarbonate.
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