| Use: | Chemical colorimetric kits are self-contained portable kits for analyzing soil or
water samples for the presence of a variety of inorganic and organic compounds. These
tests require no instrumentation and can be performed in the field with little or no
training. Should only be used as an indication or screening device. See 6.2.27 for use with VOCs, SVOCs, and pesticides, and 9.1.7 for explosives. |
Description:
Colorimetry involves mixing of reagents of known concentrations with a test solution in specified amounts that result in chemical reactions in which the absorption of radiant energy (color of the solution) is a function of the concentration of the analyte of interest. At the simplest level, concentrations can be estimated with visual comparators.
Analytes:
7. Metals 9. Inorganics
Media:
| Soil/Sediment | Water | Gas/Air |
| ADEQUATE | BETTER | Not Applicable |
| Selectivity: | Technique measures the contaminant directly. |
| Susceptibility to Interference: | Medium. |
| Detection Limits : | 10-100 ppm (soil); 0.5-10 ppm (water). |
| Turnaround Time per Sample: | Hours. |
| Applicable To: | |||
| Screen/Identify | Characterize Concentration/Extent | Cleanup Performance | Long-Term Monitoring |
| BETTER | ADEQUATE | BETTER | BETTER |
| Quantitative Data Capability: | Data become quantitative with additional effort. |
| Technology Status: | Commercially available technology with moderate field experience. |
| Certification/Verification: | Technology has participated in CalEPA certification and/or CSCT verification program. |
| Relative Cost per Analysis: | Least expensive. |
Limitations:
EPA Methods:
| 7196A | Chromium, Hexavalent (Colorimetric). |
| 212.3 | Colorimetric Analysis of Boron (drinking water). |
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