Sulfate DOC316.53.

01135

USEPA1 SulfaVer 4 Method2 Method 8051

2 to 70 mg/L SO42– Powder Pillows
Scope and application: For water, wastewater and seawater.
1 USEPA accepted for reporting wastewater analyses. Procedure is equivalent to USEPA method 375.4 for wastewater.
2 Adapted from Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater.

Test preparation

Instrument-specific information
Table 1 shows all of the instruments that have the program for this test. The table also
shows sample cell and orientation requirements for reagent addition tests, such as
powder pillow or bulk reagent tests.
To use the table, select an instrument, then read across to find the applicable information
for this test.
Table 1 Instrument-specific information
Instrument Sample cell orientation Sample cell
DR 6000 The fill line is to the right. 2495402
DR 3800
DR 2800
DR 2700
DR 1900
DR 5000 The fill line is toward the user.
DR 3900
DR 900 The orientation mark is toward the user. 2401906

Before starting
For turbidimetric methods, install the instrument cap or cover on all instruments before ZERO or READ is pushed.
Use the Standard Adjust option with each new lot of reagent for the best results. Refer to the Standard solution method in
Accuracy check on page 3.
For best results, calibrate the instrument with each new lot of reagent. Refer to Calibration on page 4.
For the best results, measure the reagent blank value for each new lot of reagent. Replace the sample with deionized water
in the test procedure to determine the reagent blank value. Subtract the reagent blank value from the sample results
automatically with the reagent blank adjust option.
Filter samples that are turbid with filter paper and a funnel.
Do not use the Pour-Thru Cell or sipper module (for applicable instruments) with this test.
The reagents that are used in this test contain barium chloride. Collect the reacted samples for safe disposal.

1
 Review the Safety Data Sheets (MSDS/SDS) for the chemicals that are used. Use the recommended personal protective
equipment.
Dispose of reacted solutions according to local, state and federal regulations. Refer to the Safety Data Sheets for disposal
information for unused reagents. Refer to the environmental, health and safety staff for your facility and/or local regulatory
agencies for further disposal information.

Items to collect
Description Quantity
®
SulfaVer 4 Reagent Powder Pillows, 10-mL 1
Sample Cells (Refer to Instrument-specific information on page 1. ) 2

Refer to Consumables and replacement items on page 5 for order information.

Sample collection and storage

• Collect samples in clean glass or plastic bottles.
• To preserve samples for later analysis, keep the samples at or below 6 °C (43 °F) for
up to 28 days.
• Let the sample temperature increase to room temperature before analysis.

Powder pillow procedure

Start

1. Start program 680 2. Prepare the sample: Fill 3. Add the contents of one 4. Swirl the sample cell to
Sulfate. For information a sample cell with 10 mL of SulfaVer 4 powder pillow to mix. Undissolved powder
about sample cells, sample. the sample cell. will not affect accuracy.
adapters or light shields, White turbidity will form if
refer to Instrument-specific sulfate is present.
information on page 1.

5. Start the instrument 6. Prepare the blank: Fill a 7. When the timer expires, 8. Insert the blank into the
timer. A 5‑minute reaction second sample cell with clean the blank sample cell. cell holder.
time starts. 10 mL of sample.
Do not disturb the cell
during this time.

2 Sulfate, SulfaVer 4 Method (70 mg/L)

 Zero Read

9. Push ZERO. The display 10. Clean the prepared 11. Within 5 minutes after 12. Push READ. Results
shows 0 mg/L SO42–. sample cell. the timer expires, insert the show in mg/L SO42–.
prepared sample into the
cell holder.

13. Clean the sample cells

with soap and a brush.

Interferences
Interfering substance Interference level
Barium Interferes at all levels. The higher the relative barium concentration when compared to the sulfate
concentration, the higher the error. Samples with high barium concentrations will generally give a
result that is 20% lower than the actual sulfate concentration.
Calcium More than 20,000 mg/L as CaCO3
Chloride More than 40,000 mg/L as Cl–
Magnesium More than 10,000 mg/L as CaCO3
Silica More than 500 mg/L SiO2

Accuracy check
Standard additions method (sample spike)
Use the standard additions method (for applicable instruments) to validate the test
procedure, reagents and instrument and to find if there is an interference in the sample.
Items to collect:
• Sulfate Ampule Standard Solution, 2500 mg/L sulfate
• Ampule breaker
• Pipet, TenSette®, 0.1–1.0 mL and tips
• Mixing cylinders (3), 25-mL

1. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of the sample, then keep the
(unspiked) sample in the instrument.
2. Go to the Standard Additions option in the instrument menu.
3. Select the values for standard concentration, sample volume and spike volumes.

Sulfate, SulfaVer 4 Method (70 mg/L) 3

 4. Open the standard solution.
5. Prepare three spiked samples: use the TenSette pipet to add 0.1 mL, 0.2 mL and
0.3 mL of the standard solution, respectively, to three 25-mL portions of fresh sample.
Mix well.
6. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of each of the spiked samples.
Start with the smallest sample spike. Measure each of the spiked samples in the
instrument.
7. Select Graph to compare the expected results to the actual results.
Note: If the actual results are significantly different from the expected results, make sure that
the sample volumes and sample spikes are measured accurately. The sample volumes and
sample spikes that are used should agree with the selections in the standard additions menu. If
the results are not within acceptable limits, the sample may contain an interference.

Standard solution method

Use the standard solution method to validate the test procedure, the reagents and the
instrument.
Items to collect:
• Sulfate standard solution, 1000-mg/L
• 100-mL volumetric flask, Class A
• 7-mL volumetric pipet, Class A and pipet filler safety bulb
• Deionized water

1. Prepare a 70-mg/L sulfate standard solution as follows:

a. Use a pipet to add 7.0 mL of 1000-mg/L sulfate standard solution into the
volumetric flask.
b. Dilute to the mark with deionized water. Mix well. Prepare this solution daily.
2. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of the prepared standard
solution.
3. Compare the expected result to the actual result.
Note: The factory calibration can be adjusted slightly with the standard adjust option so that the
instrument shows the expected value of the standard solution. The adjusted calibration is then
used for all test results. This adjustment can increase the test accuracy when there are small
variations in the reagents or instruments.

Calibration
A calibration is recommended for the SulfaVer 4 method for the best accuracy. Complete
the steps that follow to enter a new calibration curve in the instrument. Make a new
calibration curve for each new lot of reagent.
Items to collect:
• Sulfate standard solution, 1000 mg/L
• 100-mL volumetric flasks (7), Class A
• 1–10 mL TenSette pipet and tips
• Deionized water

1. Prepare seven calibration standard solutions (10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 and 70 mg/L
SO42–) as follows:
a. Use a pipet to add 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 mL of the 1000-mg/L sulfate standard
solution into seven different 100-mL volumetric flasks.
b. Dilute each flask to the mark with deionized water. Mix well.
2. Use the test procedure to measure the concentration of each standard solution.
3. Refer to the user manual for the instrument to enter the calibration into the instrument
as a user program.

4 Sulfate, SulfaVer 4 Method (70 mg/L)

Method performance
The method performance data that follows was derived from laboratory tests that were
measured on a spectrophotometer during ideal test conditions. Users can get different
results under different test conditions.
Program Standard Precision (95% confidence interval) Sensitivity
Concentration change per 0.010 Abs change
680 40 mg/L SO42– 30–50 mg/L SO42– 0.4 mg/L SO42–

Summary of method
Sulfate ions in the sample react with barium in the SulfaVer 4 Reagent and form a
precipitate of barium sulfate. The amount of turbidity formed is proportional to the sulfate
concentration. The measurement wavelength is 450 nm for spectrophotometers or
520 nm for colorimeters.
Pollution prevention and waste management
Reacted samples contain barium and must be disposed of as a hazardous waste.
Dispose of reacted solutions according to local, state and federal regulations.
Consumables and replacement items
Required reagents

Description Quantity/test Unit Item no.

®
SulfaVer 4 Reagent Powder Pillow1, 10-mL 1 100/pkg 2106769

Required apparatus

Description Quantity/test Unit Item no.

Sample cells, 10-20-25-mL, with cap 2 6/pkg 2401906

Sample cells, 10-mL square, matched pair 2 2/pkg 2495402

Recommended standards

Description Unit Item no.

Sulfate Standard Solution, 1000 mg/L as SO4 500 mL 2175749

Sulfate Standard Solution, 2500-mg/L, 10-mL ampules as SO4 16/pkg 1425210
Drinking Water Standard, Mixed Parameter, Inorganic for F -, NO3–N, PO43–, SO42– 500 mL 2833049

Optional reagents and apparatus

Description Unit Item no.

Mixing cylinder, graduated, 25 mL each 189640

Mixing cylinder, graduated, 50 mL each 189641
®
Ampule Breaker, 10-mL Voluette Ampules each 2196800
®
Pipet, TenSette , 0.1–1.0 mL each 1970001
®
Pipet tips for TenSette Pipet, 0.1–1.0 mL 50/pkg 2185696
®
Pipet, TenSette , 1.0–10.0 mL each 1970010
®
Pipet tips for TenSette Pipet, 1.0–10.0 mL 50/pkg 2199796
Flask, volumetric, Class A, 100 mL, glass each 1457442

1 SulfaVer is a registered trademark of Hach Company.

Sulfate, SulfaVer 4 Method (70 mg/L) 5

 FOR TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE, PRICE INFORMATION AND ORDERING: HACH COMPANY
In the U.S.A. – Call toll-free 800-227-4224 WORLD HEADQUARTERS
Outside the U.S.A. – Contact the HACH office or distributor serving you. Telephone: (970) 669-3050
On the Worldwide Web – www.hach.com; E-mail – [email protected] FAX: (970) 669-2932

© Hach Company/Hach Lange GmbH, 1989–2014, 2018. All rights reserved. 02/2018, Edition 10