EPA Method 415.1

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View Actual EPA Method 415.1 (PDF File)


EPA Method 415.1:
Total Organic Carbon. Official Name: Organic Carbon, Total (Combustion or Oxidation)

Summary:
Organic carbon in a sample is converted to carbon dioxide by catalytic combustion or wet chemical oxidations. The carbon dioxide formed can be measured directly by an infrared detector or converted to methane and measured by a flame ionization detector. The amount of carbon dioxide or methane is directly proportional to the concentration of carbonaceous material in the sample.

Scope:
This method determines organic carbon in drinking, surface, and saline waters; domestic and industrial wastes.

Citation:
Methods for the Chemical Analysis of Water and Wastes (MCAWW) (EPA/600/4-79/020)

Interferences:
(A) Carbonate and Bicarbonate: Effects of carbonate and bicarbonate on measurments must be removed by calculation.(B) Homogeneity: This method is only applicable to samples that can be reproducibly injected with a microliter pipet. Large particulate in the samples will not be captured by the method.(C) Bacteria: Bacterial decomposition of TOC constituents can occur. To reduce decomposition's effect, analyze quickly or refrigerate.

QC Requirements:
None.

Maximum Holding Time:
28 days (MCAWW, Table 1).

Media:
WATER

Subcategory:
Organic

Concentration:
Above 1 mg/L

Sample Prep:
None.

Precision:
Precision and accuracy values were calculated using interlaboratory data from EPA-managed Water Pollution (WP) performance evaluation studies.

Detection:
None

Revision Number:
Issued 1971; Editorial Revision 1974

Test Description:
Organic Carbon, Tota

Report Number:
600/4-79-020

Instrument used for this test:
TOC