ASTM D6919-17 PDF

Full title and description

Standard Test Method for Determination of Dissolved Alkali and Alkaline Earth Cations and Ammonium in Water and Wastewater by Ion Chromatography. This ASTM test method (designation D6919-17, reaffirmed 2025) describes a procedure for simultaneous determination of dissolved alkali and alkaline earth metal cations (lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium) and the ammonium cation in reagent, drinking, and wastewater matrices using ion chromatography with suppressed or nonsuppressed conductivity detection.

Abstract

This standard specifies sample preparation, calibration, chromatographic separation, detection, and quality-control practices necessary to quantify lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in water and wastewater by ion chromatography. Typical analytical ranges, limits of detection, interference considerations, and guidance on extending concentration ranges by dilution or injection-volume adjustments are provided. The method emphasizes rapid, simultaneous multi-cation measurement suitable for laboratory and regulatory monitoring applications.

General information

• Status: Active — originally published June 1, 2017 and reaffirmed (reissued) in 2025 as ASTM D6919-17(2025).
• Publication date: Original: June 1, 2017; Reaffirmation/updated entry: 2025 (reissue date July 2025).
• Publisher: ASTM International (American Society for Testing and Materials).
• ICS / categories: 13.060.50 — Examination of water for chemical substances (Water and environmental technology).
• Edition / version: D6919-17 (2017) — reaffirmed as D6919-17(2025).
• Number of pages: 10 pages.

Scope

This test method is applicable to the simultaneous determination of dissolved inorganic alkali and alkaline earth cations—lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium—and the ammonium cation in reagent water, drinking water, and wastewaters using suppressed or nonsuppressed ion chromatography. The validated working concentration range is approximately 0.05 mg/L to 200 mg/L overall, with specific tested ranges for each analyte (for example, sodium and calcium upper ranges near 40 mg/L and lower ranges for lithium and ammonium near 0.4 mg/L). Users may extend ranges by dilution or injection-volume adjustments but must validate performance for modified ranges and atypical matrices.

Key topics and requirements

• Analytes: lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, calcium (dissolved cations).
• Analytical technique: ion chromatography with conductivity detection (suppressed or nonsuppressed).
• Validated concentration ranges: approximate method range 0.05–200 mg/L; analyte-specific tested ranges documented in the method.
• Sample types: reagent water, drinking water, wastewater (user responsibility to verify for other matrices).
• Quality control: calibration standards, blanks, check standards, and procedures for method validation and interference assessment.
• Performance notes: upper limits extended by dilution or smaller injection volumes; lower limits adjusted by larger injection loops—users must confirm validity when ranges are changed.
• Safety and limitations: does not address all safety concerns; users must establish appropriate laboratory safety and regulatory compliance measures.

Typical use and users

Environmental and municipal water laboratories, wastewater treatment facilities, contract testing laboratories, regulatory agencies, and research institutions commonly use this method for routine monitoring, compliance testing, process control, and research where simultaneous quantification of common cations and ammonium is required. The method is particularly useful when a rapid, multi-cation analysis is needed in drinking water and wastewater matrices.

Related standards

Standards and methods commonly used alongside or for comparison with this method include other ion chromatography and water-analysis methods for anions and cations, as well as national/regulatory methods for ammonia/ammonium analysis. Laboratories frequently cross-reference ASTM D6919 with applicable EPA ion chromatography or inorganic-ions methods and other ASTM water-analysis standards to ensure comprehensive monitoring programs and regulatory compliance.

Keywords

ion chromatography, conductivity detection, alkali cations, alkaline earth cations, ammonium, water analysis, wastewater, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium, method validation, environmental monitoring

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: ASTM D6919-17 is a Standard Test Method for Determination of Dissolved Alkali and Alkaline Earth Cations and Ammonium in Water and Wastewater by Ion Chromatography. It defines procedures for simultaneous measurement of selected cations using ion chromatography.

Q: What does it cover?

A: It covers sample preparation, chromatographic separation, detection (suppressed or nonsuppressed conductivity), calibration, quality-control procedures, and validated concentration ranges for lithium, sodium, ammonium, potassium, magnesium, and calcium in reagent, drinking, and wastewater matrices.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Environmental and municipal laboratories, wastewater and water utilities, contract testing labs, regulatory agencies, and research labs that require rapid, simultaneous determination of common cations and ammonium in water and wastewater.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The method was originally published June 1, 2017 (designation D6919-17) and was reaffirmed/reissued in 2025 as D6919-17(2025). As of February 21, 2026, the reaffirmed 2025 entry is the current ASTM-issued version.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: D6919 is part of ASTM’s water and environmental technology collection of test methods for ion and inorganic analysis. Laboratories often use it alongside other ASTM and EPA methods for a comprehensive inorganic-ions testing program.

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: ion chromatography, conductivity detection, alkali cations, alkaline earth cations, ammonium, water analysis, wastewater, lithium, sodium, potassium, magnesium, calcium.