Evaluation of methods for preservation of water samples for nutrient analysis

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Abstract
Mercuric ion, sulfuric acid, and chloroform were examined as preservatives for nitrogen and phosphorus species in water samples containing biologically active microorganisms. Chilling at 4°C without addition of a chemical preservative also was examined. Chilling alone at 4°C was an adequate preservation technique for 8‐day storage for the water samples used in this study. However, for samples analyzed after 16‐day storage, the addition of 40 milligrams per liter of mercuric ion plus chilling at 4°C, appeared to be the preservation technique of choice. Neither chloroform nor sulfuric acid, coupled with chilling, were adequate as preservation techniques for all analytes determined during the 16‐day study period.