Proposed Test Method Will Support Gas Content Detection In Water

A proposed ASTM guide will provide a test method to measure carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide content in water.

W. Conshohocken, PA – ASTM International’s water committee (D19) is developing a proposed standard for a test method to determine carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide content in highly alkaline water systems. The proposed method (WK99903) will outline a guide of measuring carbon dioxide and hydrogen sulfide simultaneously using gas chromatography coupled with thermal conductivity detector.

According to ASTM member Mike Chang, previous methods that use chemical tests could only measure one gaseous component at a time.

“The existing test methods under ASTM’s D19 jurisdiction only cover the detection of hydrogen sulfide or carbon dioxide in neutral and acidic water matrices, without dedicated standardized procedures for highly alkaline aqueous environments,” says Chang, global environmental segment manager with Agilent Technologies. “This method establishes a unified workflow for the simultaneous quantitative determination of hydrogen sulfide and carbon dioxide in alkaline systems for the first time.”

This effort directly relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #6 on clean water and sanitation; #7 on affordable and clean energy; #13 on climate action; and #14 on life below water. 

“This guide standardizes testing protocols for industrial alkaline wastewater and natural saline-alkali water bodies, supervises hydrogen sulfide pollutant discharge in water and protects aquatic environments,” says Chang.

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN.

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