INTERAGENCY FIELD MANUAL FOR THE COLLECTION OF WATER-QUALITY DATA

Appendix C

Appendix C. General guidelines for selecting equipment on the basis of construction material and target analyte(s)
[X , generally appropriate for use shown; Si, silica; Cr, chromium; Ni, nickel; Fe, iron; Mn, manganese; Mo, molybdenum; 3H/3He, tritium/helium-3; CFC, chlorofluorocarbon; B, boron]
Construction material for sampling equipment Target analyte(s)
Material Description Inorganic Organic
Plastics1
Fluorocarbon polymers2 (several varieties available for differing applications) Chemically inert for most analytes X
(potential source of fluoride)		 X
(sorption of some organics)
Polypropylene Relatively inert for inorganic analytes X Do not use
Polyethylene (linear) Relatively inert for inorganic analytes X Do not use
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) Relatively inert for inorganic analytes X Do not use
Silicone Very porous. Relatively inert for most inorganic analytes X
(potential source of Si)		 Do not use
Metals
Stainless-steel 316
(SS-316)		 SS-316--metal having the greatest corrosion resistance. Comes in various grades.

Used for submersible pump casing

 X
(potential source of Cr, Ni, Fe, and possibly Mn and Mo)
Do not use for surface water unless encased in plastic		 X
Do not use if corroded3
Stainless-steel 304 Similar to SS-316 but less corrosion resistant Do not use X
Do not use if corroded3
Other metals--brass, iron, copper, aluminum, galvanized and carbon steels Refrigeration-grade copper or aluminum tubing are used routinely for collection of 3H/3He and CFC samples Do not use (except as noted for isotopes) X
Routinely used for CFCs. Do not use if corroded3
Glass
Glass, borosilicate (laboratory grade) Relatively inert. Potential sorption of analytes X
Potential source of B and Si		 X

  1. Plastics used in connection with inorganic trace element sampling should be uncolored or white.
  2. Includes materials such as TeflonTM, KynarTM, and TefzelTM, which are relatively inert for sampling inorganic or organic analytes.
  3. Corroded/weathered surfaces are active sorption sites for organic compounds.
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