SDCK / Nitrate Standard Operating Procedure / revision 4/27/10

SDCK LAB/Nitrate, Hach

TNT 835

Standard Operating Procedure

LR (0.23±13.50 mg/L NO

±N) Dimethylphenol Method - Method 10206

Nitrate (NO3-) is a natural and anthropogenic component of surface waters. It is a plantnutrient, and its presence can affect vegetation growth and thus affect aquatic habitats.

Color or turbidity in samples can cause high results. Filtering of the sample eliminates color interference and a sample blank is not required.

Perform this test at the recommended temperature to avoid an incorrect result. Therecommended sample and reagent temperature is

20²23 °C (68²73.4 °F)

. Recommendedreagent storage is 15²25 °C (59²77 °F).Filter samples as soon as possible to prevent bacterial degradation of the nitrate. Ifimmediate analysis is not possible, store at 4 °C (39 °F) or lower if the sample is to beanalyzed within 24 to 48 hours.



efer to data sheet to track progress throughout the procedure.



Check boxes and record times and temperatures.



ecord any and all results, and make note of results that read under the detectionlimits or seem unusual.



Change pipette tips between samples to avoid cross contamination.



Label enough TNT test vials for each sample, and for duplicates and blanks



emember to process one sub-watershed batch at a time up to step 4