ASTM E3242-23
(Guide)Standard Guide for Developing Representative Background Concentrations at Sediment Sites—Data Evaluation and Development Methodologies
Standard Guide for Developing Representative Background Concentrations at Sediment Sites—Data Evaluation and Development Methodologies
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Intended Use:
4.1.1 This guide may be used by various parties involved in sediment corrective action programs, including regulatory agencies, project sponsors, environmental consultants, toxicologists, risk assessors, site remediation professionals, environmental contractors, and other stakeholders.
4.2 Importance of the CSM:
4.2.1 The CSM should be continuously updated and refined to describe the physical properties, chemical composition and occurrence, biologic features, and environmental conditions of the sediment corrective action project (Guide E1689).
4.3 Reference Material:
4.3.1 This guide should be used in conjunction with other ASTM guides listed in 2.1 (especially Guides E3344 and E3382); this guide should also be used in conjunction with the material in the References at the end of this guide (including 1). Utilizing these reference materials will direct the user in developing representative background concentrations for a sediment site.
4.4 Flexible Site-Specific Implementation:
4.4.1 This guide provides a systematic, but flexible, framework to accommodate variations in approaches by regulatory agencies and by the user based on project objectives, site complexity, unique site features, regulatory requirements, newly developed guidance, newly published scientific research, changes in regulatory criteria, advances in scientific knowledge and technical capability, and unforeseen circumstances.
4.5 Regulatory Frameworks:
4.5.1 This guide is intended to be applicable to a broad range of local, state, tribal, federal, or international jurisdictions, each with its own unique regulatory framework. As such, this guide does not provide a detailed discussion of the requirements or guidance associated with any of these regulatory frameworks, nor is it intended to supplant applicable regulations and guidance. The user of this guide will need to be aware of the regulatory requirements and guidance in the jurisdiction where the work...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide describes data visualization, statistical, forensic chemistry and geochemical methodologies (including case studies) used in the evaluation of candidate background data sets; this evaluation leads to the development of representative background data sets for the sediment site. Statistical methodologies can then be applied to the representative background data sets to develop background threshold values (BTVs) that are measures of the upper limit of representative sediment background concentrations for the sediment site. In addition, representative background data sets and sediment site data sets can be compared using two-sample statistical tests to determine if there are statistically significant differences (at a specified confidence level) between the two data sets (such as, the median or mean values of the two data sets are significantly different).
1.1.1 This guide is intended to inform, complement, and support, but not supersede the guidelines established by local, state, tribal, federal, or international agencies.
1.2 Technically defensible representative sediment background concentrations are critical for several purposes (1).2 These include sediment site delineation, establishing remedial goals and cleanup levels, remedy selection, assessment of risks posed by representative background concentrations, and establishing appropriate post-remedial monitoring plans.
1.3 The overarching framework for the development of representative sediment background concentrations at sediment sites is presented in Guide E3382. Guide E3240 provides a general discussion of how conceptual site model (CSM) development fits into the risk-based corrective action framework for contaminated sediment sites, while Guide E3382 provides a detailed discussion of the elements of a sediment site CSM that need to be considered when developing representative sediment background concentrations. Guide E3344 describes how to se...
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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.
Designation: E3242 − 23
Standard Guide for
Developing Representative Background Concentrations at
Sediment Sites—Data Evaluation and Development
1
Methodologies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3242; 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 site CSM that need to be considered when developing repre-
sentative sediment background concentrations. Guide E3344
1.1 This guide describes data visualization, statistical, fo-
describes how to select an appropriate background reference
rensic chemistry and geochemical methodologies (including
area(s) from which to collect sediment samples for laboratory
case studies) used in the evaluation of candidate background
analysis. Guide E3164 describes the sampling methodologies
data sets; this evaluation leads to the development of represen-
to obtain sediment samples in the field (whether from the
tative background data sets for the sediment site. Statistical
sediment site or background reference area[s]), while Guide
methodologies can then be applied to the representative back-
E3163 discusses appropriate laboratory methodologies for the
ground data sets to develop background threshold values
chemical analysis of potential contaminants of concern
(BTVs) that are measures of the upper limit of representative
(PCOCs) in the sediment samples. Relevant content contained
sediment background concentrations for the sediment site. In
in Guides E3344 and E3382 is summarized herein, but the
addition, representative background data sets and sediment site
individual guides should be consulted for more detailed cov-
data sets can be compared using two-sample statistical tests to
erage of these topics.
determine if there are statistically significant differences (at a
1.4 This guide focuses on the approach for the development
specified confidence level) between the two data sets (such as,
of representative sediment background concentrations used for
the median or mean values of the two data sets are significantly
remedial actions performed under various regulatory programs,
different).
including the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
1.1.1 This guide is intended to inform, complement, and
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Although many
support, but not supersede the guidelines established by local,
of the references cited in this guide are CERCLA oriented, the
state, tribal, federal, or international agencies.
guide is applicable to remedial actions performed under local,
1.2 Technically defensible representative sediment back-
2 state, tribal, federal, and international cleanup programs.
ground concentrations are critical for several purposes (1).
However, the guide does not describe requirements for each
These include sediment site delineation, establishing remedial
jurisdiction. The requirements for the regulatory entity under
goals and cleanup levels, remedy selection, assessment of risks
which the cleanup is being performed should be reviewed to
posed by representative background concentrations, and estab-
confirm compliance.
lishing appropriate post-remedial monitoring plans.
1.5 This guide is designed to apply to contaminated sedi-
1.3 The overarching framework for the development of
ment sites where sediment data have been collected and are
representative sediment background concentrations at sedi-
readily available. Additionally, this guide assumes that risk
ment sites is presented in Guide E3382. Guide E3240 provides
assessments have been performed, so that the contaminants of
a general discussion of how conceptual site model (CSM)
concern (COCs) that exceed risk-based thresholds have been
development fits into the risk-based corrective action frame-
identified.
work for contaminated sediment sites, while Guide E3382
1.5.1 Furthermore, this guide presumes that the identified
provides a detailed discussion of the elements of a sediment
risk-based thresholds are low enough to pose corrective action
implementation challenges, or the site is subject to recontami-
nation from uncontrolled ongoing anthropogenic or natural
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental
sources, or both. In all cases, representative sediment back-
Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct responsibil-
ground concentrations will be useful for determining the extent
ity of Subcommittee E50.04 on Corrective Action.
Current edition approved Dec. 1,
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: E3242 − 20 E3242 − 23
Standard Guide for
Determination of Representative Sediment Background
ConcentrationsDeveloping Representative Background
Concentrations at Sediment Sites—Data Evaluation and
1
Development Methodologies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E3242; 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 guide describes data visualization, statistical, forensic chemistry and geochemical methodologies (including case studies)
used in the evaluation of candidate background data sets; this evaluation leads to the development of representative background
data sets for the sediment site. Statistical methodologies can then be applied to the representative background data sets to develop
background threshold values (BTVs) that are measures of the upper limit of representative sediment background concentrations
for the sediment site. In addition, representative background data sets and sediment site data sets can be compared using
two-sample statistical tests to determine if there are statistically significant differences (at a specified confidence level) between
the two data sets (such as, the median or mean values of the two data sets are significantly different).
1.1.1 This guide is intended to inform, complement, and support, but not supersede the guidelines established by local, state, tribal,
federal, or international agencies.
2
1.2 Technically defensible representative sediment background concentrations are critical for several purposes (1). These include
sediment site delineation, establishing remedial goals and cleanup levels, remedy selection, assessment of risks posed by
representative background concentrations, and establishing appropriate post-remedial monitoring plans.
1.3 The overarching framework for the development of representative sediment background concentrations at sediment sites is
presented in Guide E3382. Guide E3240 provides a general discussion of how conceptual site model (CSM) development fits into
the risk-based corrective action framework for contaminated sediment sites, while Guide E3382 provides a detailed discussion of
the elements of a sediment site CSM that need to be considered when developing representative sediment background
concentrations. Guide E3344 describes how to select an appropriate background reference area(s) from which to collect sediment
samples for laboratory analysis. Guide E3164 describes the sampling methodologies to obtain sediment samples in the field
(whether from the sediment site or background reference area[s]), while Guide E3163 discusses appropriate laboratory
methodologies for the chemical analysis of potential contaminants of concern (PCOCs) in the sediment samples. Relevant content
contained in Guides E3344 and E3382 is summarized herein, but the individual guides should be consulted for more detailed
coverage of these topics.
1.4 This guide focuses on the approach for determination the development of representative sediment background concentrations
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E50.04 on Corrective Action.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2020Dec. 1, 2023. Published February 2020January 2024. Originally approved in 2020. Last previous edition approved in 2020 as
E3242–20. DOI: 10.1520/E3242–2010.1520/E3242–23
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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E3242 − 23
used for remedial actions performed under various regulatory programs, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response,
Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Although many of the references cited in this guide are CERCLA oriented, the guide
is applicable to remedial actions performed under local, state, tribal, federal, and international cleanup programs. However, the
guide does not describe requirements for each jurisdiction. The requirements for the regulatory entity under which the cleanup is
being performed should be reviewed to confirm compliance.
1.5 This guide provides a
...
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