ASTM D3976-22

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Designation: D3976 − 92 (Reapproved 2015) D3976 − 22
Standard Practice for
Preparation of Sediment Samples for Chemical
Analysis Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3976; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope
1.1 This practice describes standard procedures for preparation of test samples (including the removal of occluded water and
moisture) of field samples collected from locations such as streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans.
1.2 These procedures are applicable to the determination of volatile, semivolatile, and nonvolatile constituents of sediments.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility
of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific precautionary statement, see Note 3.
1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D596 Guide for Reporting Results of Analysis of Water
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1192 Guide for Equipment for Sampling Water and Steam in Closed Conduits (Withdrawn 2003)
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process Streams
D4410 Terminology for Fluvial Sediment
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminologies D1129 and D4410.
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 Samples collected (see Practice D3370 and SpecificationGuide D1192) in the field are screened to remove foreign objects prior
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, Geomorphology, and
Open-Channel Flow.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2015May 1, 2022. Published January 2015June 2022. Originally approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 20102015 as
D3976 – 92 (2010).(2015). DOI: 10.1520/D3976-92R15.10.1520/D3976-22.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
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D3976 − 22
to homogenization for chemical examination and analysis. Large objects are mechanically removed and small ones are eliminated
by sieving the sample through a 10-mesh (2 mm openings) sieve.
4.2 Wet, sieved samples are mixed for preliminary homogenization, then allowed to settle to remove most of the occluded water.
4.3 Moisture determinations are made on separate samples from those analyzed for volatile or semivolatile constituents.
4.4 Analyses for volatile constituents are made using wet, settled samples from which supernatant liquid has been removed by
decantation. The results are corrected to those that would have been obtained on samples dried to constant weight at 105105 °C
6 2°C,2 °C, on the basis of a moisture determination using a separate sample.
4.5 Analyses for semivolatile constituents (for example, mercury) are made on samples previously dried at a temperature found
to be adequate for the purpose, and specified in the corresponding analytical procedure.
4.6 Analyses for nonvolatile constituents are made on samples previously dried to constant weight at 105105 °C 6 2°C.2 °C.
4.7 A flow diagram, outlining typical procedures, is shown in Fig. 1.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The chemical analysis of sediments, collected from such locations as streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans can provide
information of environmental significance.
5.2 Sediment samples are inherently heterogeneous in that they contain occluded water in varying and unpredictable amounts and
may contain foreign objects or material not ordinarily considered as sediment, the inclusion of which would result in inaccurate
analysis.
FIG. 1 Flow diagramDiagram for Sediment-Sample Treatment
D3976 − 22
5.3 Standard methods for separating foreign objects to facilitate homogenization will minimize errors due to poor mixing and
inclusion of extraneous material.
5.4 Standardized procedures for drying provide a means for reporting analytical values to a common dry weight basis.
6. Preliminary Treatment of Field Samples
6.1 The analytical sample is arbitrarily defined as that which passes a 10-mesh (approximately 2 mm openings) sieve. The purpose
of this is to provide a basis for discrimination of sediment and foreign objects or materials. Stainless steel or nylon sieves may be
used when inorganic constituents are to be determined. Stainless steel or brass sieves are suitable for use when organic substances
are to be determined.
NOTE 1—For inorganic analyses, stainless steel sieves are acceptable provided the mesh is not soldered or welded to the frame. For organic analyses,
organic materials such as rubber or plastics should not be used in the storage or handling of samples.
6.2 Sieve dry samples without further pretreatment and follow the procedures given in 7.3, 7.4, or 7.5, or a combination thereof,
as appropriate.
6.3 Vigorously stir wet field samples, which may have settled du
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