Designation: D8607 − 26Standard Test Method forDetermination of Selected Elements in Aqueous Solutionsby Single Quadrupole Inductively Coupled Plasma-MassSpectrometry (ICP-MS) 1This standard is issued under the f i xed designation D8607; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. Asuperscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1. Scope1.1 This test method covers the determination of dissolvedelements in ground waters, surface waters, and drinking water.It may also be used for determination of total recoverable ortotal element concentrations in these waters as well aswastewater, mine-impacted waters, and digested biosolids,soils, and geochemical samples. For primary metallurgical goldor silver cyanide leaching samples that may contain cyanide,refer to Test Methods E1600. With appropriate dilution, thistest method is also applicable to seawater and brine solutions.1.2 Dissolved elements and total metals in drinking waterwith a turbidity of <1 NTU are determined directly aftersuitable f i ltration and preservation (12.4). For the determina-tion of total or total recoverable analytes in aqueous,biological, and solid samples, digestion is required beforeanalysis. Some elements (for example As, Hg, Se) may be lostor exhibit low recovery during the open vessel digestiondescribed in 12.1. For these elements, use the microwavedigestion procedure in 12.2.1.3 The working range depends on the matrix and theinterferences encountered. Analysis of mercury in drinkingwater may not be suitable by this method; use Test MethodD3223.1.4 The quantif i cation limits of most elements are affectedby blank contamination and depend predominantly on thelaboratory air-handling facilities, the purity of reagents, and thecleanliness of glassware.1.5 In this test method, the use of interference-removingtechnology is included, such as collision or reaction cells toremove interferences if necessary. Correction equations mayalso be used.1.6 This test method is to be used by analysts experienced inthe use of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry(ICP-MS) that have demonstrated competency in accordancewith the requirements of this test method or Guide D8428.1.7 It is the user’s responsibility to ensure the validity of thetest method for waters of untested matrices in accordance withGuide E2857 or similar procedures.1.8 No detailed instrument operating instructions are pro-vided because of differences among various makes and modelsof suitable ICP-MS instruments. Instead, the analyst shallfollow the instructions provided by the manufacturer of theinstrument.1.9 In this test method, comparative accuracy of differentdevices or the precision between instruments of the same makeand model are not addressed.1.10 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regardedas the standard. No other units of measurement are included inthis standard.1.11 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.12 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards, Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.2. Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards: 2D887 Practices for Sampling Water-Formed DepositsD1066 Practice for Sampling SteamD1129 Terminology Relating to WaterD1193 Specif i cation for Reagent Water1 This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Waterand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.05 on Inorganic Constituentsin Water.Current edition approved July 1, 2026. Published July 2026. DOI: 10.1520/D8607-26.2 For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, orcontact ASTM Customer Service at www.astm.org/contact. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summarypage on the ASTM website.Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.1
