ASTM D6384-22

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Designation: D6384 − 19 D6384 − 22
Standard Terminology Relating to
Biodegradability and Ecotoxicity of Lubricants
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6384; 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 terminology covers definitions relating to biodegradability and ecotoxicity of lubricants.
1.2 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:
D5864 Test Method for Determining Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of Lubricants or Their Components
D6139 Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of Lubricants or Their Components Using the Gledhill
Shake Flask
3. Terminology
activated sludge, n—the precipitated solid matter, consisting mainly of bacteria and other aquatic microrganisms, that is
produced at a domestic wastewater treatment plant; activated sludge plant and is used primarily in secondary sewage treatment
to microbially oxidize dissolved organic matter in the effluent. D6139
aerobic, adj—(1) taking place in the presence of oxygen; (2) living or active in the presence of oxygen. D6139
biodegradation, n—the process of chemical break-down or transformation of a material caused by organisms or their enzymes.
D5864
DISCUSSION—
Biodegradation is only one mechanism by which materials are transformed in the environment.
biomass, n—biological material including any material other than fossil fuels which is or was a living organism or component
or product of a living organism.
DISCUSSION—
In biology and environmental science, biomass is typically expressed as density of biological material per unit sample volume, area, or mass (g biomass
/ g (or / mL or / cm ) sample); when used for products derived from organisms biomass is typically expressed in terms of mass (kg, MT, etc.) or volume
(L, m , bbl, etc.).
This terminology is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of D02.12 on
Environmental Standards for Lubricants.
Current edition approved June 1, 2019April 1, 2022. Published August 2019April 2022. Originally approved in 1999. Last previous edition approved in 20182019 as
D6384 – 18.D6384 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/D6384-19.10.1520/D6384-22.
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*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
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D6384 − 22
DISCUSSION—
Products of living organisms include those materials produced directly by living organisms as metabolites (for example, ethanol, various carbohydrates
and fatty acids), materials manufactured by processing living organisms (for example, pellets manufactured by shredding and pelletizing plant material)
and materials produced by processing living organisms, their components or metabolites (for example, transesterified oil; also called biodiesel).
blank, n—in biodegradability testing, a test system containing all system components with the exception of the test material.
chronic ecotoxicity test, n—a comparative ecotoxicity test in which a representative subpopulation of organisms is exposed to
different treat rates of a test material and is observed for a period of time which constitutes a major portion of their life span.
ecotoxicity, n—the propensity of a test material to produce adverse behavioral, biochemical, or physiological effects in
non-human organisms or populations.
effect load XX (ELXX), n—a statistically or graphically estimated loading rate of test material that is expected to cause one
or more specified effects in XX % of a representative subpopulation of organisms under specified conditions.
DISCUSSION—
This terminology should be used instead of the standard ECXX when the test material is not completely soluble at the test treat rates.
environmental compartment, n—a subdivision of the environment based on physical or chemical properties, or both.
DISCUSSION—
Examples of environmental compartments are aerobic fresh water, aerobic marine, aerobic soil, and anaerobic media. The results of test procedures
may be applied to environmental compartments, but the test systems do not constitute an environmental compartment.
fresh water environment, n—in ecotoxicity testing, the aerobic, aqueous compartment, characteristically with a sodium
chloride content of less than 5.0 g/kg (0.5 wt%).
good laboratory practices (GLP), n—guidelines for the management of laboratory experiments which are published by
regulatory agencies or other recognized groups, and are
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