ASTM D4128

ASTM D4128 – Standard Guide for Identification and Quantitation of Organic Compounds in Water by Combined Gas Chromatography and Electron Impact Mass Spectrometry

Description:

Significance and Use

5.1 With the common occurrence in water of organic compounds, some of which are toxic, it is often necessary to identify the specific compounds present and to determine the concentration.

Scope

1.1 This guide covers the identification and quantitation of organic compounds by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC-MS) (electron impact) that are present or extracted from water and are capable of passing through a gas chromatograph without alteration. This guide can be used to provide tentative identifications of volatile and semi-volatile organics, but is restricted to (a) compounds for which reference spectra can be obtained and (b) compounds that can be separated by gas chromatography (GC). These restrictions are imposed on the guide, but are not a limitation of the technique. The guide is written for analysis using automated data acquisition and handling.

1.2 Guidelines have been included for quantitation using ASTM Test Methods D3871, D3973, and other GC-MS volatile/semivolatile procedures used for environmental analysis2. The actual detection limits for each component must be determined in each laboratory. Actual detection amounts will vary with the complexity of the matrix, the kind and condition of the GC-MS system, the sample preparation technique chosen, and the application of cleanup techniques to the sample extract, if any. Lower levels of detection can be achieved using modern sensitive instruments or with selected ion monitoring (SIM). To determine the interlaboratory detection estimate (IDE) and the interlaboratory quantitation estimate (IQE), follow Practices D6091 and D6512.

1.3 The guide is applicable to the identification of many organic constituents of natural and treated waters. It includes all modes of sample introduction, including injection of organic extracts, direct aqueous injection, and purge and trap techniques.

1.4 The guide is applicable to capillary column gas chromatography.

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