ASTM D3976-92(1996)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or
withdrawn. Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information.
Designation: D 3976 – 92 (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 Practice for
Preparation of Sediment Samples for Chemical Analysis
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3976; 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 4.3 Moisture determinations are made on separate samples
from those analyzed for volatile or semivolatile constituents.
1.1 This practice describes standard procedures for prepa-
4.4 Analyses for volatile constituents are made using wet,
ration of test samples (including the removal of occluded water
settled samples from which supernatant liquid has been re-
and moisture) of field samples collected from locations such as
moved by decantation. The results are corrected to those that
streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans.
would have been obtained on samples dried to constant weight
1.2 These procedures are applicable to the determination of
at 105 6 2°C, on the basis of a moisture determination using
volatile, semivolatile, and nonvolatile constituents of sedi-
a separate sample.
ments.
4.5 Analyses for semivolatile constituents (for example,
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
mercury) are made on samples previously dried at a tempera-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ture found to be adequate for the purpose, and specified in the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
corresponding analytical procedure.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.6 Analyses for nonvolatile constituents are made on
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For a specific
samples previously dried to constant weight at 105 6 2°C.
precautionary statement, see Note 3.
4.7 A flow diagram, outlining typical procedures, is shown
2. Referenced Documents in Fig. 1.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
2 5. Significance and Use
D 596 Practice of Reporting Results of Analysis of Water
5.1 The chemical analysis of sediments, collected from such
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D 1192 Specification for Equipment for Sampling Water locations as streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, and oceans can
provide information of environmental significance.
and Steam in Closed Conduits
D 3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Closed Con- 5.2 Sediment samples are inherently heterogeneous in that
they contain occluded water in varying and unpredictable
duits
D 4410 Terminology for Fluvial Sediment amounts and may contain foreign objects or material not
ordinarily considered as sediment, the inclusion of which
3. Terminology
would result in inaccurate analysis.
5.3 Standard methods for separating foreign objects to
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this prac-
tice, refer to Terminologies D 1129 and D 4410. facilitate homogenization will minimize errors due to poor
mixing and inclusion of extraneous material.
4. Summary of Practices
5.4 Standardized procedures for drying provide a means for
reporting analytical values to a common dry weight basis.
4.1 Samples collected (see Practices D 3370 and Specifica-
tion D 1192) in the field are screened to remove foreign objects
6. Preliminary Treatment of Field Samples
prior to homogenization for chemical examination and analy-
sis. Large objects are mechanically removed and small ones are
6.1 The analytical sample is arbitrarily defined as that which
eliminated by sieving the sample through a 10-mesh (2-mm
passes a 10-mesh (approximately 2-mm openings) sieve. The
openings) sieve.
purpose of this is to provide a basis for discrimination of
4.2 Wet, sieved samples are mixed for preliminary homog-
sediment and foreign objects or materials. Stainless steel or
enization, then allowed to settle to remove most of the
nylon sieves may be used when inorganic constituents are to be
occluded water.
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
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, Geomorphology, provided the mesh is not soldered or welded to the frame. For organic
and Open-Channel Flow.
analyses, organic materials such as rubber or plastics should not be used
Current edition approved Oct. 15, 1992. Published December 1992. Originally
in the storage or handling of samples.
published as D 3976 – 80. Last previous edition D 3976 – 88.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01. 6.2 Sieve dry samples without further pretreatment and
D 3976
FIG. 1 Flow diagram for Sediment-Sample Treatment
follow the procedures given in 7.3, 7.4, or 7.5, or a combina- 7. Preparation of Analytical Samples
tion thereof, as appropriate.
7.1 Decant the supernatant liquid from the settled sediment
6.3 Vigorously stir wet field samples, which may have
prepared in accordance with Section 6. Save the supernatant
settled during transit, to incorporate as much field water as
liquid for separate analysis of any suspended material, as
p
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