Methodology and Quality Assurance/Quality Control of Environmental Analysis - Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Analysis - page 112

EPA 200, 6000, and 7000 Series: Metals
With the exception of few metals (e.g., Hg), three instrumental techniques are
commonly used for the analysis of most metals: (a) flame atomic absorption; (b)
graphite furnace atomic absorption (flameless); and (c) inductively coupled plasma-
atomic emission spectroscopy (ICP). EPA 200 methods developed by the Office of
Research and Development and EPA's SW-846 series 6000 (ICP) and 7000 methods
(Table 5.1) are the methods of choice. APHA 3000 series and USGS I-xxxx-xx
series also have the complete set of methods for the analysis of metals.
EPA 400 Series: Aggregate Organic Analytes
These are the gross properties of waters and wastewaters in representing certain
organic compounds rather than individual organics. Important monitoring
parameters for aggregate organics include chemical oxygen demand (COD),
biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), total organic carbon (TOC), total recoverable
petroleum hydrocarbons (TRPH), anionic surfactants (as MBAS), and oil and
grease. These measurements are located in EPA 400 series, and non-EPA methods
include primarily APHA 5000 series and parts of the USGS O-xxxx-xx methods.
APHA 8000-10000 Series: Biological Parameters and Testing
The U.S. EPA has few guidelines and procedures on biological testing. The AHPA
method (commonly regarded as the standard method) is by far the most complete
and therefore is the true ''standard method'' with regard to biological parameters and
testing. The examples are as follows:
APHA 8000 toxicity testing: Using sediment pore water, algae, Daphnia,
fish, fathead minnow, and mutagenesis
APHA 9000 microbiological examination: Heterotrophic plate count, micro-
bial count, E. Coli, and total coliform
APHA 10000 biological examination: Periphyton, macrophyton, benthic
macroinvertebrates, nematological examination, and fish.
Detailed measurement principles of selected parameters will be introduced in
Chapter 6 (general physical properties, inorganic, nonmetallics, and aggregate
organics) or Chapter 9 (metal analysis).
5.2.3 Methods for Volatile Organic Compounds
(VOCs)
The EPA methods applicable for the analysis of individual VOCs are parts of the
EPA 500, EPA 600, and EPA 8000 series. In addition to EPA's methods, methods for
VOCs analysis can also be found in APHA 6000 and USGS O-xxxx-xx. Of EPA 500
and 600 series methods, the most noted is Method 624 for the analysis of a number