The level of dissolved oxygen in natural waters is often a direct indication of quality, since aquatic plants produce oxygen, while microorganisms generally consume it as they feed on pollutants. At low temperatures the solubility of oxygen is increased; during summer, saturation levels can be as…

Nitrate is the most completely oxidized form of nitrogen. It is formed during the final stages of biological decomposition, either in wastewater treatment facilities or in natural water supplies. Low-level nitrate concentrations may be present in natural waters. However, a Maximum Contaminant Level…

Methods The alkalinity of water is a measurement of its buffering capacity. Alkalinity of natural waters is typically a combination of bicarbonate, carbonate, and hydroxide ions. Sewage and wastewaters usually exhibit higher alkalinities due to the presence of silicates and phosphates. …

Nitrate is the most completely oxidized form of nitrogen. It is formed during the final stages of biological decomposition, either in wastewater treatment facilities or in natural water supplies. Low-level nitrate concentrations may be present in natural waters. However, a Maximum Contaminant Level…

Low-level ammonia nitrogen may be naturally present in water as a result of the biological decay of plant and animal matter. Higher concentrations in surface waters can indicate contamination from waste treatment facilities, raw sewage, industrial effluents (particularly from petroleum refineries),…

Method Dissolved carbon dioxide (CO₂) is naturally present as a result of animal respiration, the decay of organic matter, and the decomposition of certain minerals. It is the major source of acidity in unpolluted water samples. Surface waters typically contain less than 10 ppm…

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent with a variety of uses. Applications include the treating of industrial effluents and domestic waste and serving as a disinfectant in aseptic packaging. The Ferric Thiocyanate Method Reference: D. F. Boltz and J. A. Howell, eds.,…

Iron is present in nature in the form of its oxides, or in combination with silicon or sulfur. The soluble iron content of surface waters rarely exceeds 1 mg/L, while ground waters often contain higher concentrations. The National Secondary Drinking Water Standard for iron is 0.3 mg/L, as iron…

Formaldehyde, a toxic substance, is used in the following applications: metal plating baths, textile treatments, biological specimen preservatives, and disinfectants of medical equipment. Commercial formaldehyde gas is readily soluble in water. The Purpald Method Reference:…

Chlorine dioxide is used as an oxidizing microbiocide in industrial cooling water treatment, the dairy industry, the meat industry, and many other food and beverage industry applications. It is used as a bleaching agent in the pulp and paper industry, and as a disinfectant in municipal water…

Cyanide is used in many chemical and refining processes. It is found in effluent from electroplating and metal cleaning operations, coke ovens, steel manufacturing facilities, and gas scrubbers. Although cyanide can be safely removed by alkaline chlorination, its acute toxicity to aquatic life…

Kit comes in a cardboard box and contains everything needed to perform 20 tests: Refill, Comparator, reaction tube with lid, tip breaking tool, and instructions. Filming amines are fed continuously into boiler feedwater to protect metal surface from corrosion cuased by dissolved oxygen and…

Sulfite is not usually present in surface waters. If sulfite is discharged in effluents or from domestic wastewaters, it readily oxidizes to form sulfate. Sodium sulfite is the most common form of sulfite and is an excellent reducing agent with applications as an oxygen scavenger. Sulfite…

Hardness is a measure of the mineral content of water. Calcium and magnesium are the most common minerals that contribute to hardness. Hard water causes scaling in boilers and other industrial equipment, and diminishes the effectiveness of soaps and detergents. The EDTA Method (Total) …

Phenol (hydroxybenzene) is the simplest of a group of similar organic chemicals, which includes cresols, xylenols, and catechols. Phenol itself is a common ingredient of disinfectants. In drinking water, low-level phenolic concentrations impart a foul taste and odor, especially upon chlorination.…

Dissolved oxygen in boiler system water causes corrosion and pitting of metal surfaces, which can lead to boiler inefficiency, equipment failure, and system downtime. DEHA (N,N-Diethylhydroxylamine) is added to boiler system water as an oxygen scavenger to keep the dissolved oxygen levels as low as…

Silica (SiO₂) is the oxide of silicon, the second most abundant element in the earth's crust. Silica is present as silicates in most natural waters. Typical concentrations lie between 1 and 30 mg/L. Higher concentrations may exist in brackish waters and brines. The silica content of…

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent with a variety of uses. Applications include the treating of industrial effluents and domestic waste and serving as a disinfectant in aseptic packaging. For the food and beverage industry, CHEMetrics Hydrogen Peroxide CHEMets® and…

Low-level ammonia nitrogen may be naturally present in water as a result of the biological decay of plant and animal matter. Higher concentrations in surface waters can indicate contamination from waste treatment facilities, raw sewage, industrial effluents (particularly from petroleum refineries),…

Dissolved oxygen in boiler system water causes corrosion and pitting of metal surfaces, which can lead to boiler inefficiency, equipment failure, and system downtime. DEHA (N,N-Diethylhydroxylamine) is added to boiler system water as an oxygen scavenger to keep the dissolved oxygen levels as low as…

Phenol (hydroxybenzene) is the simplest of a group of similar organic chemicals, which includes cresols, xylenols, and catechols. Phenol itself is a common ingredient of disinfectants. In drinking water, low-level phenolic concentrations impart a foul taste and odor, especially upon chlorination.…

Copper is naturally present in the earth’s crust and in seawater. Copper-containing fungicides are used to control biological growth in water supplies. The Maximum Contaminant Level Goal for copper is 1.3 mg/L in drinking water. The measurement of copper is an important means of monitoring…

Phosphorus occurs naturally in rock formations in the earth's crust, usually as phosphate. High phosphate concentrations in surface waters may indicate fertilizer runoff, domestic waste discharge, or the presence of industrial effluents or detergents. Although phosphates from these sources are…

Formaldehyde, a toxic substance, is used in the following applications: metal plating baths, textile treatments, biological specimen preservatives, and disinfectants of medical equipment. Commercial formaldehyde gas is readily soluble in water. The Purpald Method Reference:…

Hydrogen peroxide is a strong oxidizing agent with a variety of uses. Applications include the treating of industrial effluents and domestic waste and serving as a disinfectant in aseptic packaging.  The Ceric Sulfate Titrimetric Method Reference: Developed by CHEMetrics …

Ozone is a strong oxidizing agent and is used as an alternative to chlorine as a biocide in the disinfection of drinking water. Ozone is used to remove odor, decolorize, and to control algae and other aquatic growths. Ozone is also used in various disinfectant and sterilization processes in…

Copper is naturally present in the earth’s crust and in seawater. Copper-containing fungicides are used to control biological growth in water supplies. The Maximum Contaminant Level Goal for copper is 1.3 mg/L in drinking water. The measurement of copper is an important means of…

Surface and ground waters rarely contain more than 1 mg/L of soluble or suspended manganese. Manganese can act as an oxidizing or a reducing agent depending on its valence state. Manganese is also used in the manufacture of batteries and as an alloying metal in the manufacture of steel and…

Chloride is the most common inorganic anion found in water and wastewater. The Maximum Secondary Contaminant Level for drinking water for chloride is 250 mg/L. Natural sources of salt are the ocean and various salt deposits above and below ground. Chloride is very corrosive to most metals in…

Because of its strong oxidizing properties, chlorine is an excellent biocide used to treat potable waters, municipal wastes, and swimming pools. When used to treat potable water, chlorine helps alleviate the adverse effects of iron, manganese, ammonia, and sulfide. The Maximum Residual Disinfectant…

Nitrite, an intermediate in the nitrogen cycle, is formed during the decomposition of organic matter but readily oxidies to form nitrate.  These processes occur in wastewater treatment plants, water distribution systems, and natural waters.  Nitrites are useful as corrosion inhibitors,…