This test method is used for determination of the carbon content of water from a variety of natural, domestic, and industrial sources. In its most common form, this test method is used to measure organic carbon as a means of monitoring organic pollutants in industrial wastewater. These measurements are also used in monitoring waste treatment processes.

The relationship of TOC to other water quality parameters such as chemical oxygen demand (COD) and total oxygen demand (TOD) is described in the literature.

1. Scope

1.1 This test method covers the determination of total carbon (TC), inorganic carbon (IC), and total organic carbon (TOC) in water, wastewater, and seawater in the range from 0.1 mg/L to 4000 mg/L of carbon.

1.2 This test method was used successfully with reagent water spiked with sodium carbonate, acetic acid, and pyridine. It is the user's responsibility to ensure the validity of this test method for waters of untested matrices.

1.3 This test method is applicable only to carbonaceous matter in the sample that can be introduced into the reaction zone. The syringe needle or injector opening size generally limit the maximum size of particles that can be so introduced.

1.4 In addition to laboratory analyses, this test method may be applied to stream monitoring.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D1129 Terminology Relating to Water

D1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam in Closed Conduits

D1193 Specification for Reagent Water

D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water

D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Conduits

D4129 Test Method for Total and Organic Carbon in Water by High Temperature Oxidation and by Coulometric Detection

D5847 Practice for Writing Quality Control Specifications for Standard Test Methods for Water Analysis

Keywords

carbon; carbon dioxide; low temperature oxidation; organic carbon; total carbon; Carbon content--water; Infrared (IR) analysis--water; Inorganic compounds--water; Low-temperature testing--water; Organic carbon (OC); Organic compounds--water; Oxidation testing; Pollutants; Seawater (natural/synthetic); Total organic carbon (TOC); Wastewater testing/treatment ;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 71.060.10 (Chemical elements)

Citing ASTM Standards

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