Environmental Express HotBlock Pro - Manual (Page 22)

HotBlock™: Operation and Instruction Manual EPA Method 200.8
20 • Environmental Express www.environmentalexpress.com / 800.745.8218 / 843.576.1147
5. After cooling, add 0.5 mL of (1:1) HCl and 7mL of DI Water and warm gently in the HotBlock™ for 15 minutes. Dilute to 50mL with
DI Water.
6. If necessary, filter with SC0401 (or appropriate FilterMate™) to remove insoluble material.
Note: The filtration step should be performed slowly with little pressure placed on the plunger. If excessive backpressure occurs stop
filtration and allow sediments to “settle out”. Applying pressure to the plunger may cause sample “blow through” allowing sediment
to pass through the filter into the digestate.
Procedure, Total Recoverable Elements, Solids Sample
(EPA Method 200.7, Paragraph 11.3):
1. Use 50mL of well-mixed, acid-preserved sample and transfer to a SC475 digestion cup.
2. Add 1mL of (1:1) HNO3 and 0.5mL of 1:1 HCl and heat in the block at a sample temperature of 95°C.
3. Reduce volume to 25mL. This will take approximately two hours and 15 minutes.
4. Using the polycarbonate transfer racks, remove samples from the HotBlock™ and allow them to cool.
5. Adjust volume to 50mL with DI water.
6. Use the FilterMate™ filtration device to remove insoluble material that can clog nebulizers.
Note: The filtration step should be performed slowly with little pressure placed on the plunger. If excessive backpressure occurs
stop filtration and allow sediments to “settle out”. Applying pressure to the plunger may cause sample “blow through” allowing
sediment to pass through the filter into the digestate. All QC samples, concentration limitations, elemental lists and reagent
specifications are addressed in depth in EPA Method 200.7. Safety concerns are also part of the full method. Follow the
instructions listed in EPA Method 200.7. These steps should only be used as a guide to help improve the performance of
your HotBlock TM .
Adaptation of EPA Method 200.8
for use with the Environmental Express HotBlock™ Digestion System
Revised 05.05
Scope and Application:
The following procedures have been written as an aid to EPA digestion procedure 200.8 for use with the Environmental Express
HotBlock™. EPA Method 200.8 is for the determination of total recoverable analytes in groundwater, surface water,drinking water, wastewa-
ter, and (with the exception of silica) in solid samples such as sediment, sludge and soil. Use EPA Method 200.8 for reference while following
the sample preparation steps outlined below. A complete list of elements appropriate for analysis is included in EPA Method 200.8. Analysis
can be performed by ICP-MS.
Apparatus and Materials:
1. HotBlock™ for Metals Digestions — Model Numbers SC100, SC150*, or SC154
2. Polypropylene Digestion Vessels — Part Number SC475 (or SC490 for use with HotBlock™ SC150)
3. Ribbed Watch Glasses, Part Number SC505 or Reflux Caps, Part Number SC506
(for use with SC490 vials for HotBlock™ SC150, use Ribbed Watch Glasses, Part Number SC610 )
4. FilterMateTM — Part Number SC0401 (or appropriate FilterMate™) for sample filtration if necessary
*Note: For all procedures, when using the SC150 block with the SC490 digestion vials with a 100mL sample, double the volume of all
reagents and acids added.