INTERAGENCY FIELD MANUAL FOR THE COLLECTION OF WATER-QUALITY DATA

Appendix E

Appendix E. Supplies for cleaning field equipment for water-quality sampling activities
[ACS, American Chemical Society; DIW, deionized water; µS/cm, microsiemens per centimeter at 25 degrees Celsius; L, liter; cm, centimeter; PBW, pesticide-free blank water; VPBW, volatiles/pesticide-free blank water; PVC, polyvinyl chloride]
Item Description/comments
Acid1 Hydrochloric: ACS trace element grade (5 percent by volume). Nitric; ACS trace element grade (10 percent by volume)
Aluminum foil Heavy duty, for covering work surface and cleaned equipment
Bags, plastic or polyfluorocarbon Recyclable trash bags recommended for large equipment storage. Sealable bags with uncolored closure strips, various sizes.
Basins One wash basin for each cleaning solution; white or uncolored. Plastic, nonleaching. (Stainless steel is required for methanol and can be used for equipment for organic-compound sampling.)
Brushes and sponges Noncolored; plastic components needed for inorganic work
Deionized water (DIW) Recommended maximum conductivity, 1 µS/cm
Detergent Nonphosphate laboratory (for example, Liquinox)
Disposable gloves Vinyl or latex (latex or nitrile for use with methanol), nonpowdered, assorted sizes
Inorganic-free blank water Blank water prepared and/or quality assured by the analyzing laboratory with certificate of analysis; required for blank samples
Jerricans or carboys, one for use as neutralization container For waste solutions and rinsate. Neutralization container; 25- to 30-L, polyethylene
Methanol Pesticide grade
Neutralization materials Marble landscape chips (1- to 2-cm recommended)2
Organic-free pesticide-free (PBW), or volatiles/pesticide-free (VPBW) blank water3 Blank water prepared and/or quality assured by the analyzing laboratory; required for blank samples. Use PBW and/or VPBW according to study analytical requirements
Safety equipment Goggles, chemical spill kit, apron
Standpipes for submersible pump Plastic or glass; for example, pipette jars or capped PVC casing; one standpipe labeled for blank water and each cleaning solution
Tap water If quality is questionable, substitute DIW. Tap water is more effective for rapid removal of detergent residue
Tissues (for example, Kimwipes) Laboratory grade, lint-free, extra large, for cleanup
Wash (dispenser) bottles Labeled to indicate contents (for example, ACID, DIW, TAP). Polyfluorocarbon bottle needed for methanol
Waste container, methanol Designated for flammable liquid, to contain used methanol

  1. Hydrochloric acid is required if nitrogen species will be analyzed; otherwise, nitric acid is acceptable.
  2. Agricultural limestone, soda ash, baking soda, and crushed shells are not recommended (Horowitz and others, 1994).
  3. Use only laboratory certified organic-free water and inorganic-free water.
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