Test Procedures
SULFATE
BARIUM CHLORIDE METHOD • CODE 3665-SC
QUANTITY
CONTENTS
CODE
10 g
* Sulfate Reagent
*V-6277-D
1
Spoon, 0.1 g, plastic
0699
*WARNING:
Reagents marked with an * are considered to be potential health hazards. To
view or print a Safety Data Sheet (SDS) for these reagents go to www.lamotte.com.
Search for the four digit reagent code number listed on the reagent label, in the contents
list or in the test procedures. Omit any letter that follows or precedes the four digit code
number. For example, if the code is 4450WT-H, search 4450. To obtain a printed copy,
contact LaMotte by email, phone or fax.
Emergency information for all LaMotte reagents is available from Chem-Tel:
(US, 1-800-255-3924) (International, call collect, 813-248-0585).
The most common mineral forms of sulfur are iron sulfi de, lead sulfi de, zinc sulfi de and
as calcium sulfate and magnesium sulfate. In most fresh waters the sulfate ion is the
second or third most abundant anion, being exceeded only by bicarbonate and, in some
cases, silicate. Sulfur, in the form of sulfate, is considered an important nutrient element.
Mineral springs are rich in sulfate and feed appreciable quantities of this compound to the
watershed. Acid mine water drainage is a form of pollution which may contribute extremely
large amounts of sulfate content to natural waters. Other sources of sulfate include
waste material from pulp mills, steel mills, food processing operations and municipal
wastes. Many bacteria obtain sulfur from sulfate for the synthesis of amino acids. In lakes
and streams low in oxygen, this process of sulfate reduction causes the production of
hydrogen sulfi de, with its characteristic off ensive odor. Calcium sulfate and magnesium
sulfate contribute signifi cantly to the hardness of water. Under natural conditions, the
quantities ordinarily to be expected in lakes are between 3 and 30 parts per million.
APPLICATION:
Drinking and surface waters; domestic and industrial wastes.
RANGE:
5–100 ppm Sulfate
MDL:
5 ppm
METHOD:
Sulfate ion is precipitated in an acid medium with barium
chloride to form a barium sulfate suspension in proportion to
the amount of sulfate present.
SAMPLE HANDLING &
PRESERVATION:
Sulfate samples may be preserved by refrigeration at 4°C up
to 7 days in glass or plastic containers without any change in
concentration.
INTERFERENCES:
Suspended matter and color interference may be removed
by a fi ltration step. Silica in excess of 500 mg/L will interfere.
Check for stray light interference (see page 15).
SMART Spectro 2 Test Procedures 05.02.16
SULFATE
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