Katahdin Analytical Services

Preservation Guide

**Solid Waste ANALYSIS (RCRA)**
INORGANICS
Parameter	Typical Method(s)	Sample Container/ Preservative*	Preferred Volume (mL/g)	EPA Holding Time (liq/sol)
Bacteria, Total Coliform	EPA 9131/9132	P, G/4 C, (liquid: HCL to pH below 2)	100	6 Hours
Chloride	EPA 9251/9252	P, G	100/70	28 Days/ 7 Days, 28 Days
Cyanide, Total (CN)	EPA 9010/9012	PA/GA/4 C, NaOH to pH above 12)	500/50	14 Days/ 14 Days
Ion Chromatography (Including common anions such as Br, Cl, NO2, NO3, PO4, SO4)	EPA 9056	P, G/4 C	100/50	As per individual anion listing
Metals	EPA 6010/7000	P, G, HNO3 to pH below 2	500/50	6 Months, Hg 28 Days (G)/ 6 Months
Nitrogen, Nitrate (NO3)	EPA 9200	P, G/4 C	100/70	48 Hours/ 7 Days, 48 Hours
Oil & Grease	EPA 9070/9071	G/4 C, H2SO4 or HCl to pH below 2	1500/50	28 Days/ 28 Days
pH	EPA 9040/9041/9045	P, G	100/30	Immediately/ 24 Hours
Phenolics	EPA 9065	GA, G/4 C, H2SO4 to pH below 2	1000/10	28 Days/ 28 Days
Specific Conductance	EPA 9050	P, G/4 C	100/30	28 Days/ 28 Days
Sulfate (SO4)	EPA 9036/9038	P, G/4 C	100/70	28 Days/ 7 Days, 28 Days
Sulfide, Total	EPA 9030	P, G/4 C, NaOH + Zn acetate to pH above 9	500/70	7 Days/ 7 Days, 7 Days
Total Organic Carbon (TOC)	EPA 9060	P, G/4 C, H2SO4 or HCL to pH below 2	100/50	28 Days/ 28 Days
Total Organic Halogen (TOX)	EPA 9020/9021	GA/4 C, H2SO4 to pH below 2	500/50	14 Days/ 28 Days

Sample Containers:
- G = Glass
- A = Amber
- P = Plastic, polyethylene bottle with a polypropylene cap
- GA = Glass amber bottle with a Teflon lined cap
- VOA = Volatile organic 40 ml vial with a Teflon lined cap
Preservatives:
- HCl = Hydrochloride Acid
- H₂SO₄ = Sulfuric Acid
- NHO₃ = Nitric Acid
- NaOH = Sodium Hydroxide
- Zn + Acetate = Zinc + Acetate
  * Preserve soil samples to 4° C; contact laboratory for proper sample container.
Regulations:
- SDWA = Safe Drinking Water Act
- NPDES = National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
- RCRA = Resource Conservation Recovery Act
Note:
- The methods shown are those commonly employed in performing environmental analyses. It is not intended to be inclusive of all possible EPA analytical methods or to indicate that Katahdin Analytical Services routinely provides the methods or parameters shown. The information provide is current as of March 1996.