Guide

The Chemical Analysis of Fresh Water (Third Edition)

This publication describes the protocols used in the IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) Analytical Service Laboratory for the measurement of chemical constituents in freshwater samples.

By Sonya Havens, Blake Cooney , Michael P. Stainton on October 30, 2024

This publication describes the protocols used in the IISD-ELA Analytical Service Laboratory for the measurement of chemical constituents in freshwater samples. The chemical constituents measured include

  • anions (Cl and SO4),
  • cations (Na, Mg, K, Ca, Mn, and Fe),
  • carbon speciation (dissolved inorganic carbon, dissolved organic carbon, absorbance scan to assess dissolved organic carbon quality, and particulate carbon),
  • chlorophyll-a,
  • conductivity,
  • dissolved oxygen,
  • gran alkalinity,
  • nitrogen speciation (nitrite, nitrate, ammonia, total dissolved nitrogen, and particulate nitrogen),
  • particulate iron,
  • pH,
  • phosphorus speciation (total dissolved phosphorus and particulate phosphorus),
  • soluble reactive silicon, and
  • turbidity.

In addition to the analytical methods used, the publication provides guidance on quality assurance and quality control protocols used for labware cleaning, calibration and verifications, sample tracking and data recording, as well as sample preparation, filtration, and storage.

Guide details

Topic
Water
Project
IISD Experimental Lakes Area
Focus area
Resources
Publisher
IISD
Copyright
IISD, 2024