Table 1. Summary of Contract Required Detection Limits, Holding Times, and
Preservation for Hardness
Analytical Contract Technical and Preservation
Parameter Required Contract Holding Detection Times Limit (CRDL)
Hardness, 5.0 mg/L Technical: 6 months HNO3 to pH <2;
Total (mg/L from collection; Cool to 4EC ±2EC as CaCO3) Contract: 6 months from receipt at laboratory
Follow the procedure outlined in EPA method 130.2 for the analysis of samples for hardness. Use sample aliquots containing not more than 25 mg CaCO3 to avoid large titration volumes. This is determined by performing practice runs. pretreat waste waters and highly polluted waters by digesting the sample as described in the procedure in Section 7.1.2 of EPA Method 130.2.
Data Calculations and Reporting Units:
Calculate the sample results according to Section 8 of EPA Method 130.2.
Sample results are to be reported in the concentration unit of milligram per liter (mg/L) of CaCO3. The concentration result shall be reported to two significant figures if the result is less than 10 mg/L; and to three significant figures if the result is greater than or equal to 10 mg/L.
For rounding results, adhere to the following rules:
a) If the number following those to be retained is less than 5, round down; b) If the number following those to be retained is greater than 5, round up; or c) If the number following the last digit to be retained is equal to 5, round down if the digit is even, or round up if the digit is odd.
All records of analysis and calculations must be legible and sufficient to
recalculate all sample concentrations and QC results. Include an example calculation in the data package.
130_2.CRF 1 of 2 Revision 11/16/1999 Table 2. Summary of Internal Quality Control Procedures for Hardness by EPA 130.2
QC Element Frequency Acceptance Corrective Action
Criteria
Titration Blank One per Batch or SDG a < CRDL 1. If lowest sample concentration is more than (MB) (1 per 20 samples 10X the blank conc., no action minimum) 2. If samples are non-detected, no action 3. If detected sample concentrations are less than 10X blank conc., all associated samples must be prepared again with another method blank and reanalyzed
Duplicate One per batch or SDG RPD <20% for 1. Flag associated data with an "*" Sample (DUP) (1 per 20 samples samples >5X minimum) CRDL; ± CRDL for samples <5X CRDL
One set of QC One per batch or SDG ± 15% of 1. Terminate analysis
reference (1 per 20 samples expected 2. Identify and document the problem samples (two minimum) result 3. Reanalyze all associated samples concentration levels) a SDG - Sample Delivery Group - each case of field samples received; or each 20 field samples within a
case; or each 14 calendar day period during which field samples in a case are received.
Check the normality of titrant each day.
Add inhibitors if the end point is not sharp. Excessive amounts of heavy metals interfere by causing fading or indistinct end points. To correct for interferences, refer to Section 7.4 of EPA Method 130.2.
