ASTM D2980-71(1996)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superceded and replaced by a new version or discontinued.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 2980 – 71 (Reapproved 1996)
AMERICAN SOCIETY FOR TESTING AND MATERIALS
100 Barr Harbor Dr., West Conshohocken, PA 19428
Reprinted from the Annual Book of ASTM Standards. Copyright ASTM
Standard Test Method for
Volume Weights, Water-Holding Capacity, and Air Capacity
of Water-Saturated Peat Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2980; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope capacity in 1-mL subdivisions, 62-mL tolerance, pinchcock
type; a one-hole No. 6 rubber stopper; straight polyethylene
1.1 This empirical test method was designed to evaluate
drying tube with serrated rubber tubing fittings, 150 mm long,
the aeration, water penetration, and water retention properties
3 5
⁄4 in. (19 mm) in outside diameter, ⁄8 in. (16 mm) in inside
of peat under field conditions of water saturation.
diameter; and a stainless steel sieve circle about 16 mesh and
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
28.7 mm in diameter to be attached to one end of the drying
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
tube and sealed. (A soldering iron is useful.) Adjust the length
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
of the tube to match conveniently the graduation of the buret;
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
then scallop the end without the sieve to allow for water
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
drainage, and insert the tube into the dispensing buret with the
2. Referenced Documents
sieve side up.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6. Sample
D 2974 Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Mat-
6.1 Place a representative field sample on a square rubber
ter of Peat and Other Organic Soils
sheet, paper, or oil cloth. Reduce the sample to the quantity
3. Summary of Test Method
required by quartering and place in a moistureproof container.
Work rapidly to prevent moisture losses.
3.1 The test method sets up standardized conditions for
measuring the volume and weight of water-saturated peat.
7. Procedure
From these data, saturated volume weights, water-holding
7.1 Determine the moisture content on a separate test
capacity on a weight and volume basis, dry peat volumes, and
specimen by Method I or II of Test Methods D 2974.
air volumes can be determined.
7.1.1 Weigh the buret fitted with the plastic tube and screen.
4. Significance and Use
Working rapidly to prevent moisture losses, mix the sample
thoroughly, place on top of a 4-mesh sieve, and shake until
4.1 A test method that will measure under conditions of
sieving is complete. Use only the portion that has passed
water saturation, the air spaces of peat and the water-holding
through the sieve for the determination. Firmly pack the buret
capacity on a volume basis as well as the weight basis provides
with 10 in. (250 mm) of the 4-mesh sample as follows: Attach
useful information in evaluating peat materials. If large air
the rubber stopper to the delivery end of the buret. Add 20-mL
spaces are present, high water penetration and aeration exist. If
portions of the sample, firmly tapping on the rubber stopper 3
air spaces are smaller, retention of water is increased. Water
times vertically from a height of 6 in. (150 mm) for a final
retention would be greater in humified peat materials (small air
height of 10 in. (This will ensure that the height of the final wet
spaces), whereas water penetration and aeration would be
volume is 7.5 to 10 in. (190 to 250 mm)). Remove the stopper
greater in unhumified peat (larger air spaces). The air spaces
and weigh the buret to nearest 1 g.
can also be a measure of the oxygen available to the plant
7.1.2 Position the buret to use a sink as the drain. Place a
roots.
5-gal (20-L) bottle equipped with a siphon device above the
5. Apparatus
level of the buret. Connect the clamped rubber tubing of the
siphon device to the buret by inserting glass tubing about 5 in.
5.1 Dispensing Apparatus—Two dispensing burets, 250-mL
(125 mm) long and constricted at one end into the one-hole
rubber stopper fitted tightly into the top of the buret. Attach the
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil
rubber tubing with the pinch clamp to the delivery end of
...