ASTM E2242-21

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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: E2242 − 13 E2242 − 21
Standard Test Method for
Column Percolation Extraction of Mine Rock by the
Meteoric Water Mobility Procedure
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E2242; 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 test method provides a procedure for the column percolation extraction of mine rock in order to determine the potential
for dissolution and mobility of certain constituents by meteoric water.
1.2 This test method is intended to describe the procedure for performing column percolation extractions only. It does not describe
all types of sampling and analytical requirements that may be associated with its application.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are provided for information
only and are not considered 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.
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:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
D6234 Test Method for Shake Extraction of Mining Waste by the Synthetic Precipitation Leaching Procedure
D7237 Test Method for Free Cyanide and Aquatic Free Cyanide with Flow Injection Analysis (FIA) Utilizing Gas Diffusion
Separation and Amperometric Detection
E29 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Test Data to Determine Conformance with Specifications
E50 Practices for Apparatus, Reagents, and Safety Considerations for Chemical Analysis of Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E135 Terminology Relating to Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials
E389 Test Method for Particle Size or Screen Analysis at 4.75 mm (No.4) Sieve and Coarser for Metal-Bearing Ores and Related
Materials
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E01 on Analytical Chemistry for Metals, Ores, and Related Materials and is the direct responsibility of
Subcommittee E01.02 on Ores, Concentrates, and Related Metallurgical Materials.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2013Oct. 1, 2021. Published November 2013October 2021. Originally approved in 2002. Last previous edition approved in 20122013
as E2242 – 12a.E2242 – 13. DOI: 10.1520/E2242-13.10.1520/E2242-21.
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
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E2242 − 21
E877 Practice for Sampling and Sample Preparation of Iron Ores and Related Materials for Determination of Chemical
Composition and Physical Properties
E882 Guide for Accountability and Quality Control in the Chemical Analysis Laboratory
E1601 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Evaluate the Performance of an Analytical Method
2.2 Other References:
Meteoric Water Mobility Procedure, Bureau of Mining Regulation and Reclamation, Nevada Division of Environmental
Protection, 9/19/90
Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, 18th edition, APHA/AWWA/WEF, 1992
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this test method, see Terminology E135.
3.1.2 meteoric water—water, n—rainfall that has the potential to contact materials and mobilize soluble constituents from mine
rock at a mining or mineral processing site.
3.1.3 mine rock—rock, n—ore, waste rock or overburden excavated in order to recover metals or minerals during mining
operations or coarse processed ore such as heap leach spoils.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 The test material is placed in a plastic column and contacted with water to produce an effluent containing an equal weight of
solution to dry solids during a leaching period of up to 48 h. The extract is collected and preserved for analysis of inorganic
constituents.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is intended as a means for obtaining an extract from mine rock samples. The extract may be used to estimate
the final pH and release of certain constituents of the test sample under the laboratory conditions described in this test method.
5.2 The pH of the extraction fluid used in this test method should reflect the pH of precipitation in the geographic region in which
the mine rock is being evaluated.
5.3 This test method is designed to mobilize potential contaminants present in the solids, so that the resulting extract can be used
to assess leachate that could potentially be produced from mine rock in the field.
5.4 This test method has not been demonstrated to simulate actual site leaching conditions.
5.5 This test method produces extracts that are amenable to the determination of both major and minor (trace) constituents. When
minor constituents are being determined, it is especially important that precautions be taken in sample preservation, storage, and
handling to avoid possible contamination of the extracts.
5.6 This test method is a comparative method intended for use as a routine method for monitoring mine rock. It is assumed that
all who use this method will be trained analysts capable of performing skillfully and safely. It is expected that work will be
performed in a properly equipped laboratory under appropriate quality control practices such as those described in Guide E882.
6. Interferences
6.1 This test method may not be suitable for obtaining extracts from finely divided solids (such as: finely crushed drill cuttings,
clays, sludges, mill tailings, etc.), due to difficulty in obtaining a representative extract solution. If it takes more than 48 h for the
column to produce an extract which has a mass equivalent to 70 % of the dry test sample weight, use of an alternate extraction
procedure may be required, such as Test Method D6234.
NOTE 1—See Appendix X1 for the alternative bottle roll extraction option for fine-grained solids.
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7. Apparatus
7.1 Drying Pans or Dishes, for moisture content determinations, 1 kg capacity.
7.2 Extraction Column, PVC column of 15-cm (6-in.)15 cm (6 in.) O.D. of sufficient height to contain a minimum of 5 kg of test
sample with a feed particle size that just passes a 5-cm (2-in.)5 cm (2 in.) sieve and sufficient additional height to contain applied
water volume should poor percolation occur. For a 5-kg5 kg test sample, a 15-cm15 cm O.D. × 45-cm45 cm high column is
recommended. Additional column height will be required for test sample quantities greater than 5 kg. The bottom of the column
must be sealed and a solution discharge outlet situated above the sealed bottom of the column and below a perforated support plate.
A drawing of a suitable extraction column is shown in Fig. 1.
7.3 Filtration Device, of a composition suitable to the nature of the analyses to be performed and equipped with a 0.45-μm0.45 μm
pore size filter. An assembly for pre-filtration or a centrifuge may be required if 0.45-μm0.45 μm filtration is difficult.
7.4 Filter Media, glass wool (inert) or a plastic fiber pad is placed onto the support plate before loading the laboratory sample into
the column, to minimize fines migration, and onto the top of the test sample after column loading, to aid in making an even water
distribution.
7.5 Laboratory Balance, capable of weighing to 1.0 g.
FIG. 1 Column Percolation Extraction Device (Meteoric Water Mobility Procedure)
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7.6 pH Meter, with a readability of 0.01 units and an accuracy of at least 6 0.05 units at 25 °C.
7.7 Tubing, surgical or synthetic tubing sufficient in diameter and length for the extraction column assembly (pump, column
outlet).
7.8 Water and Extract Containers, sufficient in size to contain the water added during extraction. Containers must be covered to
avoid contamination.
7.9 Water Metering Device, a metering pump or constant head device to insure constant rate extraction fluid application during
column percolation.
8. Reagents and Materials
8.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all
reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society, where
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently high
purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
8.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references to water shall be understood to mean Type II reagent water at 18 °C
to 27 °C conforming to Specification D1193. Type III or IV may be used if they effect no measurable change in the blank or sample.
9. Hazards
9.1 For precautions to be observed in the use of analytical methods associated with this standard, refer to Practices E50.
10. Sampling and Sample Preparation
10.1 The amount of gross sample to be sent to the laboratory should he sufficient to perform the moisture content determination
as specified in 10.3, and to provide at least 5 kg of test sample on a dry weight basis for extraction. Gross sample weights in the
range of 7 kg to 25 kg are appropriate.
NOTE 2—Information on obtaining representative samples can also be found in Pierre Gy’s Sampling Theory and Sampling Practice and in Practice E877.
10.2 In order to prevent sample contamination or constituent loss prior to extraction, keep the samples in closed containers
appropriate to sample type and desired analysis.
10.3 Moisture Determination—Remove the gross sample from the container and blend by coning or rolling to obtain a sample for
feed moisture content with a minimum of 500-g500 g dry weight.
10.3.1 Weigh the moisture test sample and dry to constant weightmass (6 0.05 %) at 105 °C 6 2 °C and record the weight.mass.
10.3.2 Calculate the moisture content of the test sample as follows:
100~B 2 A!
M 5 (1)
B
where:
A = mass of sample after drying, g,
B = wet mass of sample, g, and
M = moisture content, %.
Reagent Chemicals, American Chemical Society Specifications, American Chemical Society, Washington, DC. DC, www.chemistry.org. For suggestions on the testing
of reagents not listed by the American Chemical Society, see the United States Pharmacopeia and National Formulary, U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention, Inc. (USPC),
Rockville, MD.MD, http://www.usp.
Pitard, F., Pierre Gy’s Sampling Theory and Sampling Practice, Vols. I and II, CRC Press, 1989.
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10.4 Separate the remaining laboratory sample on a 5-cm (2-in.)5 cm (2 in.) sieve. Save the minus 5-cm5 cm fraction for
recombination with the crushed plus 5-cm5 cm fraction. The screening time or end point is when additional periods of shaking fail
to change the results by more than 0.3 % (Test Method E389). For highly friable material an acceptable end point shall be
determined experimentally.
10.5 Weigh the plus and minus 5-cm5 cm sieve fractions, calculate and record the weightmass percent retained on the 5-cm5 cm
sieve as follows:
100C
R 5 (2)
~C1D!
where:
R = weight retained on the 5-cm sieve, %,
C = mass retained on the 5-cm sieve, g, and
D = mass passing the 5-cm sieve, g.
R = mass retained on the 5 cm sieve, %,
C = mass retained on the 5 cm sieve, g, and
D = mass passing the 5 cm sieve, g.
10.6 Crush or hand break the materials retained on the 5-cm5 cm sieve so that they just pass through the 5-cm (2-in.)5 cm (2 in.)
sieve, combine with the saved fraction passed through the 5-cm5 cm sieve and mix the prepared sample.
10.7 Thoroughly blend the prepared sample and calculate the minimum test sample weightmass containing 5-kg5 kg dry
weight,mass, based on the feed moisture content from 10.3, as follows:
S 5 (3)
100 2 M
~ !
where:
S = minimum sample mass for testing, g and
M = moisture content, %.
10.8 Divide the prepared sample, if necessary, to obtain a test sample suitable for processing in the column apparatus but not less
than the minimum sample weightmass from 10.7. and weigh to 6 1 g. Label and reserve any excess prepared sample for any
additional testing which may be required.
10.9 Calculate the dry weightmass of the test sample as follows:
E 1002M
~ !
L 5 (4)
where:
L = dry mass of the test sample, g,
E = gross mass of the test sample, g, and
M = moisture content of the gross sample, %.
11. Procedure
11.1 Place filter media (7.4) in the bottom of the extraction column and load the laboratory sample incrementally (~1-kg/
increment)(~1 kg ⁄increment) into the column. To minimize particle segregation and compaction during column loading, the sample
portions shall be dropped from no more than 0.6 m (24 in.) when introduced from the top of the column, and no tamping, shaking,
or other methods to compact the sample will be employed. Place filter media over the test sample in the column.
11.2 Use a water addition rate of 3.5 mL/min for minimum weightmass samples in the range of 5-kg5 kg to 5.5-kg5.5 kg dry
weight.mass.
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11.2.1 For samples greater than 5.5-kg5.5 kg dry weight,mass, calculate the rate of water addition to the column to add a
weightmass of water equal to the dry weightmass of the test sample during 24 h as follows:
L
F 5 (5)
where:
F = water addition rate, mL/min, and
L = dry mass of the laboratory sample, g.
11.3 Measure and record
...