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Investigation of the Preservation Method within Environmental Protection Agency Method 200.8
Citation:
Haas, C., L. Koch, K. Kelty, D. Lytle, AND R. Soman. Investigation of the Preservation Method within Environmental Protection Agency Method 200.8. Presented at 2013 Undergrduate Conference: Research, Scolarship & Creative Works, Cincinnati, OH, April 19, 2013.
Impact/Purpose:
Analyzing lead concentration in water samples.
Description:
Lead (Pb) is a trace metal that is closely regulated in drinking water systems because of its harmful toxicity. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) issued the Lead and Copper Rule (LCR), which defines the action level for Lead as 0.015 mg/L. Researchers and drinking water facilities use EPA Method 200.8 to determine such trace metals in drinking and wastewaters, using Inductively Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. This method instructs how to properly preserve and analyze a sample after collection. Recently, researchers have raised concerns with the preservation protocol within this method and its effectiveness in recovering true concentrations of particulate lead in water samples. Specific claims make references to the acidification method, bottle types, and variability in occurrence of particulates in water sources. To investigate these concerns, a two-phase study was performed. Phase one investigated sorption and desorption of dissolved lead in different water sources, bottle types, and preservation pHs. Phase two investigated the recovery of particulate lead using direct analysis and a more rigorous acid digestion procedure to quantitate total recoverable analytes. The results from each phase will be presented as preliminary findings to aid in determining the effectiveness of EPA sample preservation protocol detailed in Method 200.8.
