ASTM D3866 – Standard Test Methods for Silver in Water
Description:
Significance and Use
4.1 The principal adverse effect of silver in the body is cosmetic. It causes argyria, a permanent, blue-gray discoloration of the skin, eyes, and mucous membranes.
4.2 Relatively small quantities of silver are bactericidal or bacteriostatic and find limited use in both disinfection of swimming pool waters and point-of-use water filters.
4.3 ICP-MS or ICP-AES may also be appropriate but at a higher instrument cost. See Test Methods D5673 and D1976.
Scope
1.1 These test methods cover the atomic absorption determination of silver in water. Section 34 on Quality Control pertains to these test methods. Three test methods are given as follows:
| Concentration Range | Sections | |
| Test Method A—Atomic Absorption—Chelation-ExtractionA | 1 to 10 μg/L | 7 – 15 |
| Test Method B—Atomic Absorption—Direct | 0.1 to 10 mg/L | 16 – 24 |
| Test Method C—Atomic Absorption—Graphite Furnace | 1 to 25 μg/L | 25 – 33 |
(A)Similar to that in Brown, E., Skougstad, M. W., and Fishman, M. J., “Methods for Collection and Analysis of Water Samples for Dissolved Minerals and Gases,” Techniques of Water-Resources Investigations of the U.S. Geological Survey, Book 5, Chapter A1, 1970, p. 46.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversion to inch-pound units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.
ASTM D3860