摘要：We compared the effects of preservation and storage methods on total alkalinity (A
T) of seawater, estuarine water, freshwater, and groundwater samples stored for 0
–6 months. Water samples, untreated or treated with HgCl
2, 0.45 µm filtration, or filtration plus HgCl
2, were stored in polypropylene or borosilicate glass vials for 0, 1, or 6 months. Mean A
T of samples treated with HgCl
2 was reduced by as much as 49.1 µmol kg
−1 (1.3%). Borosilicate glass elevated A
T, possibly due to dissolving silicates. There was little change in A
T of control and filtered samples stored in polypropylene, except for untreated groundwater (~ 4.1% reduction at 6 months). HgCl
2 concentrations of 0.02–0.05% reduced the A
T of fresh, estuarine, and ground water samples by as much as 35.5 µmol kg
−1 after 1 month, but had little effect on the A
T of seawater. Adding glucose as a carbon source for microbial growth resulted in no A
T changes in 0.45 µm-filtered samples. We suggest water samples intended for A
T analyses can be filtered to 0.45 µm, and stored in polypropylene vials at 4 °C for at least 6 months. Borosilicate glassware and HgCl
2 can be avoided to prevent analytical uncertainties and reduce risks related to use of Hg
2+.
