Page 3 - 5_TOC in daily practice

Sum parameter – Total Organic Carbon

TOC – Determination methods according

to EN 1484
SCA-130-501

The EN 1484 standard “Guidelines for the The following graph shows how the
determination of total organic carbon (TOC) parameters are linked:
and dissolved organic carbon (DOC)” defines
various terms and parameters. TC

■ Definitions according to EN 1484
TC: Total carbon – the sum of organically TOC IC
bound and inorganically bound carbon
present in water, including elemental carbon. NPOC POC

TIC: Total inorganic carbon – the sum of
carbon present in water, consisting of ■ Determination methods
elemental carbon, carbon monoxide, carbon The TOC can be determined according to
dioxide (also carbonates and hydrogen three different methods:
carbonates), cyanide, cyanate, and
thiocyanate. TOC instruments mainly detect
CO 2, originating from hydrogen carbonates
and carbonates, just like TIC.

TOC: Total Organic Carbon – organically
bound carbon present in water, bonded to
dissolved or suspended matter. Cyanate,
thiocyanate and elemental carbon are also
determined.

POC: Purgeable Organic Carbon – the TOC ■ Difference method
content that is purgeable under the conditions For the difference method, the parameters
of this method. TC and IC are measured. The TOC is then
determined by way of calculation.
NPOC: Non Purgeable Organic Carbon – the
TOC content that is not purgeable under the TC: The analysis of the total organic carbon
conditions of this method. is carried out via oxidation (thermal or wet-
chemical) and subsequent determination of
the resulting carbon dioxide using NDIR
detection.

TIC: Through acidification of the sample
using a mineral acid at room temperature and
subsequent NDIR detection of the expelled
carbon dioxide the inorganic carbon is
detected.