Parameters changes in mail - ICP

[Righteous]

I don’t know if I’ll have as thorough a write up as @Rick Mathew , but I’ve ordered the supplies to see if UV treatment of the ICP sample will have any effect. My plan is to send in two samples collected at the same time, one sterilized with a UV pen, the other collected in the standard manner from the tank, no other treatment.

For a starting reference, I got back another ICP test this week. I tested P twice with the Hanna checker same time as the Triton sample was collected. Hanna reported 40ppb, Triton reported 21ppb. So that’s about a typical difference I see. The sample was collected on 6/28 and Triton tested the sample on 7/06, so about 1 week.

For the test, my plan is to collect the water sample in a beaker, and irradiate it there. I was also going to rinse the Triton sample tube in isopropyl alchol first, then rinse with irradiated sample water, then transfer the irradiated sample into the test tube. I’ll also be running a Hanna P test, testing twice, with clean and dry test tubes.

If anyone has any feedback on the testing method or any other insights let me know. I’ll probably be collecting the samples sometime next week.

 

[Randy Holmes-Farley]

Do you have a link to a description of the UV pen?

 

[Righteous]

Do you have a link to a description of the UV pen?

Here’s the official link:

Katadyn Steripen Adventurer Opti UV Water Purifier

 

[Righteous]

And I found this independent test of its effectiveness:

Dr. Annie's Experiments - SteriPEN (UV water purifier) testing

The SteriPen is a UV water purification system designed for hikers, outdoorsmen, or travelers to foreign countries who can't carry enough clean water with them on their adventures. The person is supposed to be able to scoop up some lake or stream water into their water bottles and use the SteriPEN

www.dranniesexperiments.com

 

[Righteous]

Okay, so here's the results. Negative results, null hypothesis seems correct. My favorite!

My method was basically as outlined above. The two ICP test showed basically no difference (given the known accuracy of the test and detection limits). All the numbers are ppm (mg/l)

At the same time, immediatly prior to collecting the ICP samples, I tested Phosphorus with the Hanna checker. Three tests resulted in readings of 13ppb, 9pbb, 5ppb of Phosphorus, or an average of 9ppb Phosphorus (not far off, and BELOW the triton reading of 11ppb).

However, my biggest takeaway and perhaps the simplest part of all this was washing and cleaning the vials! As an extra control I first ran a Hanna P test as usual, which gave me a reading of 32ppb (3 times higher). Immediatly after this test, I washed the test vial by filling it with vinegar, capping and swishing, then letting it sit for 5 minutes. I then emptied and rinsed it with 91% Isopropyl alcohol, and then rinsed it twice again with tank water.

So my current hypothesis is that at least with Phosphorus reading differences, much of it might be attributed to some kind of Phosphorus build up inside of the Hanna vials, rather than a reduction on transit to ICP.

It's also possible that the UV pen doesn't work at all, and my Hanna readings are all bad, But given the known effects of UV, I'd be skeptical if there's some biotic process at work here.

Edit: One note I left out. Sterlization was done on 175ml of aqarium water. The pen was set to the 1000ml sterilization setting.

 

[Lasse]

However, my biggest takeaway and perhaps the simplest part of all this was washing and cleaning the vials! As an extra control I first ran a Hanna P test as usual, which gave me a reading of 32ppb (3 times higher). Immediatly after this test, I washed the test vial by filling it with vinegar, capping and swishing, then letting it sit for 5 minutes. I then emptied and rinsed it with 91% Isopropyl alcohol, and then rinsed it twice again with tank water.

So my current hypothesis is that at least with Phosphorus reading differences, much of it might be attributed to some kind of Phosphorus build up inside of the Hanna vials, rather than a reduction on transit to ICP.

This is one of my experiences too. I clean with Citric Acid

Sincerely Lasse

 

[Righteous]

This is one of my experiences too. I clean with Citric Acid

Sincerely Lasse

Any specific concentration you use that you find works well?

 

[Lasse]

No I take some powder in the vial and fill it up with RO water and let it stand over night. I use citric acid from the spice shelves in my grocery store.

Sincerely Lasse