The Applied Technical Services Family of Companies (ATS FoC) conducts testing in accordance with ASTM D1976 to identify metals and other elements present in water samples using Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES).
Water treatment plants, manufacturing facilities, and environmental laboratories use ASTM D1976 to assess and monitor water quality. Bottling plants, for example, use this standard to ensure contaminant-free water, a necessity for product safety. Oil and gas operations, on the other hand, use the standard to monitor wastewater discharge, therefore maintaining regulatory compliance with environmental standards.
Testing water and wastewater supports regulatory compliance, protects biological safety, and informs treatment process improvements.
What is ASTM D1976?
ASTM D1976 is a standard test method for determining elemental concentrations in water andwastewater.
This method uses Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES),which excites atoms or ions with plasma, causing them to emit electromagnetic radiation. This radiation identifies elements and their concentrations.
ASTM D1976 can simultaneously identify up to twenty-nine elements and offers greater sensitivity than some other techniques.
What Elements Can ASTM D1976 Detect?
A base analysis can detect lead, arsenic, barium, magnesium, sodium, and iron. Site-specific testing can include boron, chromium, potassium, selenium, strontium, or cadmium.
Some industries may require analysis of additional elements. Oil and gas wastewater may contain potassium, lithium, silica, sulfur, and phosphorus. Mining and metallurgical operations use ASTM D1976 to detect leachates and effluents in wastewater.
Our Chemistry Labs Are Where Bright Minds Meet Best Practices
Since 1967, ATS has grown into a Family of Companies (FoC), leveraging decades of experience to deliver accurate, high-quality results. Our chemistry labs hold multiple ISO/IEC 17025:2017 accreditations and perform a range of testing methods, including but not limited to:
- Spark Atomic Emissions Spectroscopy (SAES)
- Energy Dispersive X-ray Fluorescence (ED-XRF)
- X-Ray Fluorescence (WD-XRF, Wavelength Dispersive)
- Inductively Coupled Plasma (ICP-OES)
- Ion Chromatography (IC)
We also maintain several ISO 9001:2015 registrations across our organization, reflecting our commitment to service excellence. Whether you need to identify elements or verify chemical composition, ATS FoC can support your business requirements.
Contact Us
To identify elements in your water sample, contact the ATS FOC via our web form or by calling +1 (888) 287-5227.
