WATER ANALYSIS
Actlabs offers a range of ground, waste and drinking water testing in support of baseline studies site remediation, and other projects.
Inorganic Analysis
Code E6 ICP-MS is applicable only to natural waters with low total dissolved solid content (<0.05%). Any individual cations greater than the dynamic range of the ICP-MS will be reported as (>) unless the Overrange option is chosen. Samples submitted under all Code 6 packages will be analyzed on the supernatant portion of waters as received, acidified to pH <2 without filtration or digestion. Samples submitted as natural waters, but with elevated total dissolved solids (TDS >0.05%) will be charged as E6 MB. Analysis of waste waters and other solutions are available, but at varying costs. Please inquire. For hydro samples being analyzed by ICP-MS or by Ion Chromatography, please include field TDS/conductivity measurements, if available.
| code | |
|---|---|
| Code E6 ICP-MS | Natural Waters with low TDS (<0.05%) |
| Code E6 Overrange | Overrange elements in Code E6 MB reanalyzed by ICP-OES or ICP-MS if required |
| Code E6 Hg | Hg(+) option on separate sample by FIMS |
| Code E6 Boron | Boron add-on by ICP-MS |
| Code E6 Filter | Sample filtered with 0.45µ filter |
| * Code E6 MB | Marine Water, Brines or other aqueous solutions with TDS > 0.05% |
| Code E6 ENVIR | Where Chain-of Custody for legal defense is required |
| Code E6 ICP-OES | Water analysis by ICP-OES for 36 elements |
| * Code E6 ICP-OES MB | Hydrogeochemistry ICP-OES for Marine Brines |
* Detection limits for samples with high dissolved solids such as marine waters or brines may be elevated by a factor of 10-1000.
Samples must be acidified prior to analysis. Water samples are analyzed by Perkin Elmer Sciex ELAN 9000 ICP-MS, Perkin Elmer Nexion, Thermo icapQ or Agilent 7700. A blank and two water standards are run at the beginning and end of each group of 32 samples. A reagent blank is run at the beginning of the group and every 10th sample is run in duplicate. If instrument suppression occurs, sample(s) affected are re-run at appropriate dilutions until response is normal. Dilution factors will increase by the same factor that samples were diluted.
For analysis of marine waters or brines, detection limits will be correspondingly elevated depending on the dilution necessary to run the water samples.
Code E6 ICP-MS Elements and Detection Limits (µg/L)
| Element | Detection Limit | Upper Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Ag | 0.2 | 5,000 |
| Al | 2 | 100,000 |
| As | 0.03 | 5000 |
| Ba | 0.1 | 5000 |
| Be | 0.1 | 5000 |
| Bi | 0.3 | 2,000 |
| Ca | 700 | 200,000 |
| Cd | 0.01 | 5000 |
| Ce | 0.001 | 5000 |
| Co | 0.005 | 5000 |
| Cr | 0.5 | 5000 |
| Cs | 0.001 | 5000 |
| Cu | 0.2 | 5000 |
| Dy | 0.001 | 100 |
| Er | 0.001 | 100 |
| Eu | 0.001 | 100 |
| Fe | 10 | 50,000 |
| Ga | 0.01 | 2000 |
| Gd | 0.001 | 100 |
| Ge | 0.01 | 5000 |
| Element | Detection Limit | Upper Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Hf | 0.001 | 1000 |
| Hg | 0.2 | |
| Ho | 0.001 | 100 |
| In | 0.001 | 5000 |
| K | 30 | 200,000 |
| La | 0.001 | 5000 |
| Li | 1 | 5000 |
| Lu | 0.001 | 100 |
| Mg | 2 | 200,000 |
| Mn | 0.1 | 5000 |
| Mo | 0.1 | 5000 |
| Na | 5 | 100,000 |
| Nb | 0.005 | 5000 |
| Nd | 0.001 | 5000 |
| Ni | 0.3 | 5000 |
| Pb | 0.01 | 2000 |
| Pr | 0.001 | 5000 |
| Rb | 0.005 | 5000 |
| Sb | 0.01 | 5000 |
| Sc | 1 | 5,000 |
| Element | Detection Limit | Upper Limit |
|---|---|---|
| Se | 0.2 | 5000 |
| Si | 200 | 200,000 |
| Sm | 0.001 | 100 |
| Sn | 0.1 | 5000 |
| Sr | 0.04 | 5000 |
| Ta | 0.001 | 1000 |
| Tb | 0.001 | 1000 |
| Te | 0.1 | 5,000 |
| Th | 0.001 | 100 |
| Ti | 0.1 | 5000 |
| Tl | 0.001 | 5000 |
| Tm | 0.001 | 100 |
| U | 0.001 | 100 |
| V | 0.1 | 2000 |
| W | 0.02 | 1000 |
| Y | 0.003 | 5000 |
| Yb | 0.001 | 100 |
| Zn | 0.5 | 5000 |
| Zr | 0.01 | 5000 |
Code E6 ICP-MS Options:
Code E6 Hg (Hg on a separate sample)
| Element | Detection Limit ( ng/L ) |
|---|---|
| Hg | 6 |
Code E6 B (Boron Add-On)
| Element | Detection Limit ( µg/L ) |
|---|---|
| B | 3 |
Water samples are analyzed using ICP-OES (Agilent Axial 730-ES) for the 36 element suite.
Code E6 ICP-OES Elements and Detection Limits (µg/L)
| Element | Detection Limit |
|---|---|
| Ag | 5 |
| Al | 0.1 mg/L |
| As | 30 |
| Ba | 20 |
| Be | 2 |
| Bi | 20 |
| Ca | 0.1 mg/L |
| Cd | 2 |
| Ce | 30 |
| Co | 2 |
| Cr | 20 |
| Cu | 2 |
| Element | Detection Limit |
|---|---|
| Fe | 0.01 mg/L |
| K | 0.1 mg/L |
| Li | 0.05 mg/L |
| Mg | 0.1 mg/L |
| Mn | 0.01 mg/L |
| Mo | 5 |
| Na | 0.1 mg/L |
| Ni | 5 |
| P | 0.02 mg/L |
| Pb | 10 |
| S | 1 mg/L |
| Sb | 10 |
| Element | Detection Limit |
|---|---|
| Se | 20 |
| Si | 0.1 mg/L |
| Sn | 10 |
| Sr | 10 |
| Te | 10 |
| Ti | 10 |
| Tl | 10 |
| U | 0.05 mg/L |
| V | 10 |
| W | 10 |
| Y | 10 |
| Zn | 5 |
Ion Chromatography
Un-acidified water samples are analyzed using the DIONEX DX-120 Ion Chromatography System to determine and quantify a group of seven anions. This analysis is applicable to concentrations less than 75 mg/L for Cl, NO2 and NO3; less than 50 mg/L for F; less than 125 mg/L for PO4; less than 250 mg/L for Br and less than 375 mg/L for SO4. Samples exceeding this range (with high total dissolved solids) must be diluted to avoid over-saturation. Measurement uncertainty is evaluated and controlled by an appropriate quality assurance program, including the use of regular laboratory duplicates of samples and verification of the precision/calibration of the instrument through regular runs of various primary dilution standard solutions
| Analyte | Detection Limit (mg/L) |
|---|---|
| Fluoride (F) | 0.01 |
| Chloride (Cl) | 0.03 |
| Bromide (Br) | 0.03 |
| Nitrite (NO2) | 0.01 |
| Nitrate (NO3) | 0.01 |
| Phosphate (PO4) | 0.02 |
| Sulphate (SO4) | 0.03 |
Note:
Contact laboratory for specific Detection Limit capabilities. Drinking Water samples cannot be analyzed.
Reference:
EPA Method 300.0
Organic Water / Wastewater Analysis
| Analysis | Method Instrumentation |
|---|---|
| Phenols / Total Phenols (4AAP) | SKALAR Autoanalyzer (4AAP) |
| Atrazine | GC-MS |
| Bisphenol (A) and BHT (Butylated Hydroxytoluene) | GC-MS |
| BTEX (Benzene / Toluene / Ethyl Benzyne / Xylenes) | GC-MS |
| FAME (Fatty Acids) | GC-MS |
| Glycols (Polyethylene and Polypropylene) | GC-MS |
| Geosmin and Methyl-Isoborneal (MIB) | GC-MS |
| Phthalates and Adipate | GC-MS |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB - Total Arochlors) | GC-MS |
| Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCB - Cogener Specific) | GC-MS |
| Polybromated Biphenyls and Polybromated Diphenyl Ethers (PPB and PBDE) | GC-MS |
| Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH/PNA - 16 compounds) | GC-MS |
| Sulfur (Elemental) | GC-MS |
| Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (VOH - C5-C10) | GC-MS |
| Total Petroleum Hydrocarbons (TPH - Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Range - C10-C44) | GC-MS |
| Trihalomethanes (THM) | GC-MS |
| Volatile Organic Contaminants (VOC) | GC-MS |
Note:
Contact laboratory for a list of specific compounds and their Detection Limit capabilities.
Drinking water samples cannot be analysed. TPH not compliant to CCME guidelines.
Miscellaneous Water Analysis
pH Cyanide (Total CN)
Total Suspended Solids (TSS) Cyanide (Free CN)
Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) Cyanide (Weak Acid Dissociable - WAD CN)
Conductivity Total Organic Carbon (TOC)
Salinity Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD)
Acidity Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD)
Turbidity Dissolved Oxygen (DO)
Oil and Grease (Total) Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN)
Oil and Grease (Mineral) Total petroleum hydrocarbon (TPH-GRO/DRO) - C6-C10/C10-C28 for Gasoline/Diesel Range
Oil and Grease (Vegetable) Alkalinity (CaCO3) [includes carbonate (CO3) & bicarbonate (HCO3)]
Reactive Silica BTEX (Benzene Toluene Ethylbenzene Xylene)
Total Phosphorous M icrobiology (E.coli, Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, Heterotrophic Plate Count)
NH3 + NH4 (must provide pH or also do Code E6 pH) Perchlorate (EPA 331.0)
Colour Hardness (must also do Code E6 ICP-OES)
Metal Speciation in Water
Our research activities over the last few years have allowed us to link the capillary electrophoresis and HPLC techniques to conventional ICP-MS or High Resolution ICP-MS. Using as little as 5 µg/L of solution, we can conveniently speciate a number of metals for their inorganic or organic metal species. This allows determination of a number of metal species sequentially. Actlabs can consult on the best ways to preserve samples for speciation analysis.
| Pore Water Extraction (from sediment core) |
|---|
| As speciation (As3+, As5+, MMA, DMA) |
| Sn speciation (Tripropylpentyl; Tributylpentyl; Dibutyldipentyl; Monobutyl,tripentyl; Monophenyl,tripentyl; Diphenyl,tripentyl; Triphenyl,tripentyl) |
| Fe Speciation (Fe3+, Fe2+) |
| Se Speciation (Se6+, Se4+, Se-Methionine, Se-Cystine) |
| Cr Speciation (Cr3+, Cr6+) |
Code E6C Analysis and Reporting Limits
| Analysis | Method | Reference | Reporting Limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acidity | ISE | Standard Methods- For the Examination of Water and Wastewater | 10 mg/L CaCO3 |
| Alkalinity (CaCO3) Includes: Carbonate (CO32) Bicarbonate (HCO3-) | Titrimetry | AOAC 11.1.05 | 2 mg/L CaCO3 |
| NH3 + NH4 | ISE | SM 4500-ammonia | 0.02 mg/L NH3 0.01 mg/L NH4 |
| Bi214 | Detector | 0.1 Bq/L | |
| Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) | DOM | SM 5210-Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) | 2 mg/L |
| BTEX | Organics | ||
| Cyanide (SAD CN) | Analyzer | 0.15 ppb | |
| Cyanide (Weak Acid Dissociable - WAD CN) | SKALAR automated analyzer | 0.8 ppb | |
| Cyanide (Free CN) | SKALAR automated analyzer | 0.8 ppb | |
| Cyanide (Total CN) | SKALAR automated analyzer | 0.8 ppb | |
| Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) | SP | Standard Range micro-COD vial method a suitable alternate procedure to EPA 410.11 | 1 mg/L |
| Colour | Colour | 1 – 500 | |
| Conductivity | ISE | 0.01 µS | |
| Dissolved Oxygen (DO) | Analyzer | 0.01 mg/L | |
| DOC | Analyzer | 0.01 mg/L | |
| H2S | TITR | 0.1 mg/L | |
| Hardness | ICP/OES | mg/L CaCO3 | |
| Microbiology (E.coli, Total Coliforms, Fecal Coliforms, Heterotrophic Plate Count) | MF | > 0 | |
| Oil & Grease (Total) | GRAV | mg/L | |
| P | ICP/OES | > 0.02 mg/L | |
| Pb210 | Detector | 0.01 Bq/L | |
| Pb214 | Detector | 0.1 Bq/L | |
| pH | pH | EPA 150.1 | > 0.1 pH units |
| Ra226 | Detector | 0.005 Bq/L | |
| Salinity | SAL | > 2.00 g/L | |
| Silica | SP | 1 mg/L | |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | ISE | ASTM | 0.01 mg/L |
| Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) | Gravimetric | Standard methods for the examination of Water and Wastewater | 2.5 mg/L |
| Total Suspended Solids (TSS) | Gravimetric | EPA 160.2 | 4 mg/L |
| Total Volatile Solids (TVS) | Gravimetric | 4 mg/L | |
| Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) | Analyzer | 0.03 – 25 mg/L | |
| Total Organic Carbon (TOC) | Analyzer | 0.01 mg/L | |
| Total Phenol | Analyzer | 0.15 ppb | |
| Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) (gas/diesel) | Organics | ||
| Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) (heavy oil) | Organics | ||
| Turbidity | Turbidimetric | 0.1 – 10,000 NTU | |
| Water Density | GRAV | g/ml |
