TM96-10 Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES) to replace Direct Current Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (DCP-AES) for the determination of dissolved Aluminum and Boron in water

The National Water Quality Laboratory (NWQL) has been determining dissolved concentrations of Aluminum (method I-1054-86) and Boron (method I-1114-86) by the Direct Current PlasmaAtomic Emission Spectrometry (DCP-AES) method since 1984. A widely used alternatitechnique, Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry (ICP-AES), is now available and allows for the analysis of dissolved Aluminum and Boron simultaneously along with other trace metals. Because virtually no additional analytical time or operator time is required, the ICP-AES method is more cost effective than the old method for both the NWQL and for customers requesting multiple trace metal parameters.Effective June 1, 1996, the NWQL will replace the DCP-AES method for the determination of dissolved Aluminum and Boron in water samples by the ICP-AES method. All samples logged in after June 1, 1996, for the analysis of dissolved Aluminum or Boron will be analyzed by the ICPAES method documented in U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96-149, "Methods of Analysis by the U.S. Geological Survey National Water Quality Laboratory--Determination of Dissolved Aluminum and Boron in Water by Inductively Coupled Plasma-Atomic Emission Spectrometry," approved on February 14, 1996. The method reporting limits are 5 micrograms per liter for dissolved Aluminum and 4 micrograms per liter for dissolved Boron by the ICP-AES method in comparison to 10 micrograms per liter for both Aluminum and Boron by the DCP-AES method. The lab codes for dissolved Aluminum determinations by DCP-AES, 1284 (Aluminum DIS DCP), and for dissolved Boron determinations by DCP-AES, 1183 (Boron DISSOLV), will no longer be valid. The new lab codes will be 2111 (Aluminum DISSOLVED) and 2110 (Boron DISSOLVED) for dissolved determinations by ICP-AES.