ASTM D3921-96(2003)e1

The presence of oil and grease in domestic and industrial waste water is of concern to the public because of its deleterious aesthetic effect and its impact on aquatic life. Regulations and standards have been established that require monitoring of oil and grease in water and waste water. This test method provides an analytical procedure to measure oil and grease in water and waste water.

1.1 This test method covers the determination of fluorocarbon-extractable substances as an estimation of the combined oil and grease and the petroleum hydrocarbon contents of a sample of water or waste water in the range from 0.5 to 100 mg/L. It is the user's responsibility to assume the validity of the standard for untested types of water.

1.2 This test method defines oil and grease in water and waste water as that matter which is extractable in the test method and measured by infrared absorption. Similarly, this test method defines petroleum hydrocarbons in water and waste water as that oil and grease which is not adsorbed by silica gel in the test method and that is measured by infrared absorption.

1.3 Low-boiling organic materials are lost by evaporation during the manipulative transfers. However, these evaporative losses are generally much lower than those experienced with gravimetric procedures that require solvent evaporation before the residue is weighed.

1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.