ASTM D3866-18 - 1.2.2018
 
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.

 
1. 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.

1.3 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific precautionary statements are given in 11.5, 11.12.1, 13.8, and 22.1.

1.4 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

 
2. Referenced Documents

D4691-17

Standard Practice for Measuring Elements in Water by Flame Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

D1129-13(2020)e2

Standard Terminology Relating to Water (Includes all amendments and changes 2/14/2024).

D3919-15

Standard Practice for Measuring Trace Elements in Water by Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry

D2777-21

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

D5847-22

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

D5810-96(2021)

Standard Guide for Spiking into Aqueous Samples

D4841-88(2018)

Standard Practice for Estimation of Holding Time for Water Samples Containing Organic and Inorganic Constituents

D3370-18

Standard Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process Streams

D1193-06(2018)

Standard Specification for Reagent Water