ASTM F1872-21

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Designation: F1872 − 17 F1872 − 21
Standard Guide for
Use of Chemical Shoreline Cleaning Agents: Environmental
and Operational Considerations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1872; 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 covers the use of chemical cleaning agents on oiled shorelines. This guide is not applicable to other chemical agents
nor to the use of such products in open waters.
1.2 The purpose of this guide is to provide information that will enable spill responders to decide whether to use chemical
shoreline cleaning agents as part of the oil spill cleanup response.
1.3 This is a general guide only. It is assumed that conditions at the spill site have been assessed and that these conditions are
suitable for the use of cleaning agents. It is assumed that permission has been obtained to use the chemical agents. Variations in
the behavior of different types of oil are not dealt with in this guide and may change some of the parameters noted herein.
1.4 This guide covers two different types of shoreline cleaners: those that disperse oil into the water and those that disperse little
oil into the water under low energy levels. The selection criteria for these two types can differ widely. This guide does not cover
dispersants.
1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.6 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.
1.7 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:
F1686 Guide for Surveys to Document and Assess Oiling Conditions
F2532 Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of Dispersant Use
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F20.13
on Treatment.
Current edition approved April 1, 2017April 15, 2021. Published April 2017April 2021. Originally approved in 1998. Last previous edition approved in 20122017 as
F1872-12.-17. DOI: 10.1520/F1872-17.10.1520/F1872-21.
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
F1872 − 21
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This guide is primarily intended to assist decision-makers and spill-responders in contingency planning, spill response, and
training.
3.2 This guide is not specific to site or type of oil.
4. Background
4.1 Chemical shoreline cleaning agents are formulations designed to be applied to oil and to remove oil from the shoreline above
the low water line.
4.2 Chemical shoreline cleaning agents are generally used differently from chemical dispersants, which are used to treat oil spills
in offshore waters.
4.3 Chemical shoreline cleaning agents are sometimes known as surface washing agents, shoreline cleaners, or beach cleaners.
4.4 The basic application method for shoreline cleaning agents is to spray the product onto the oil and leave the agent to penetrate
the oil and then either flush away the oil or let a rising tide wash it away. Containment areas should be provided before flushing.
The oil should be washed directly into containment areas for recovery (1).
4.5 The fundamental advantage of using a shoreline cleaning agent is that oil can be removed rapidly without using excessive
temperatures or pressures, which can be harmful to biota on and in shorelines (1-3).
4.6 Laboratory effectiveness tests have been developed and many products have been tested (1, 4, 5, 6). Field effectiveness tests
have been developed (1). Removal tests of weathered bitumen showed that a surface washing agent was only effective up to 7 days
after oiling because of weathering and up to 5 days after oiling if in full sunlight (7).
4.7 Laboratory testing shows that effectiveness may differ in saltwater and freshwater (1). Further factors affecting effectiveness
included temperature and water quality (8).
4.8 There are differences in action mechanisms between dispersants and shoreline cleaning agents. Composition of the two
products differ (1, 69).
4.9 Before specialized products were developed, dispersants were used as shoreline cleaning agents with varying results (710).
4.10 The aquatic toxicity of the treatingcleaning agents varies widely and is a factor in choosing products (1, 811, 912, 13).
4.11 The amount of oil dispersed into water primarily depends on energy used to remove the oil from the substrate, especially for
dispersing shoreline treatingcleaning agents. The energy level is difficult to measure, but may be estimated from indicators such
as the pressure of the rinse water (1).
4.12 The ease of oil removal from a beach depends very much on the type of oil, its degree of weathering and the type of beach.
For example, a highly-weathered oil is difficult to remove by any means (1, 2).
5. General Considerations for Using Chemical Shoreline Cleaning Agents
5.1 Two basic types of shoreline cleaners are available: those that disperse little oil into the water column at low energy levels
(most common) and those that disperse oil into the water column (these agents are not common).
5.2 Considerations for the use of shoreline cleaning agents that disperse are the same as those for using dispersants in the specific
habitat. (See Guide F2532.)
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this standard.
F1872 − 21
5.3 Shoreline cleaning agents that disperse little oil have very little impact on the water column.
5.4 Regulatory authorities may have additional criteria and regulations regarding the acceptability and use of shoreline cleaning
agents.
5.5 Shoreline treatingcleaning agents should be used in accordance with manufacturer’s recommendations.
5.6 The decision of whether to use or not to use shoreline cleaning agents always involves tradeoffs. Using a non-dispersing
shoreline cleaning agent moves oil out onto the water where it must be recovered. Using a dispersing cleaning agent moves oil
into the water column. Therefore, adverse effects on water organisms may be increased in the water column (in the case of a
dispersing agent) by removing it from the shoreline. (See Guide F2532.)
5.7 Shoreline cleaning agents are used primarily as a cleanup method and not as a spill control method. Since some shorelines
are more vulnerable to the longer lasting impacts of spilled oil, an acceptable tradeoff may be to protect these sensitive
environments by removing the oil and either recovering it or putting it into a less sensitive environment. When dispersing-type
agents are used, the tradeoff that must be evaluated is the long-term impact of the residence time of spilled oil that is stranded on
shorelines as opposed to the short-term impact of the presence of dispersed oil in the water column. For non-dispersing agents,
the trade-off that must be evaluated is the difficulty of recovering the released oil versus the impact of the long residence time of
spilled oil that is stranded on shorelines and the possibility of re-oiling adjacent shoreline.
5.8 It has been found that some shoreline cleaning agents are equally effective in fresh and salt water, while others are not. The
salinity of the water involved may therefore be a factor, and the effectiveness of the particular product in that saline
environment.environment (1).
5.9 The safety data sheet (SDS) for the product should be consulted for advice on application and applicability.
6. Environments Covered and Considerations for Shoreline Cleaning Agent Use
6.1 Shorelines Generally—Shorelines vary extensively in their composition and their retention of oil (Guide F1686). Several
classification schemes are available for oiled shorelines as well as guides to other cleanup methods (1014, 1115). Each specific
environment should be considered separately. An important consideration is the net environmental benefit of using the chemical
beach cleaner versus leaving the oil on the shoreline or using other cleanup methods.
6.2 Seagrasses—Seagrass-dominated shorelines can be found in shallow marine environments from the tropics to Arctic regions.
Seagrass beds form a discreet ecosystem that traps material derived from terrestrial sources and then exports large quantities of
organic matter to the open sea. The presence of an extensive network of roots and rhizomes facilitates not only the
sediment-binding of the grass beds but also the transport of materials back out to sea. Oil can adhere to the seagrasses and cause
damage. Seagrasses can be treated with shoreline cleaning agents to remove oil. The agent’s toxicity to the seagrass should be
assessed before usage. Testing of some types of treatingcleaning agents have shown relatively good success. Care must be taken
to avoid physically disturbing the sea grasses during the cleanup operations, which can do more damage than the oil (12-16-1519).
6.3 Mangroves—Mangrove ecosystems are intertidal forests dominated by various species of woody halophytes, commonly called
mangroves. There are 12 families and more than 54 species of mangroves. Mangrove ecosystems occur in tropical low-energy
depositional areas. Mangroves tend to promote the deposition of organic and mineral matter and their extensive root systems are
important in stabilizing intertidal sediments. They are important ecologically as they provide the structural basis for many species
of animals and plants. Mangroves are particularly prone to damage from oiling as they have respiratory openings on roots that can
be clogged (1115). Oil can be removed from the extensive root system using shoreline treatingcleaning agents, which may save
the mangroves or significantly reduce damage to them. Access to perform the operations may be difficult. Experimental data shows
that up to 50 % of the mangroves can be saved if treated within 7 days of initial contamination. (1317).
6.4 Tidal Flats—Tidal flats are usually broad intertidal areas of unconsolidated sediments that have little slope and are usually
protected from direct wave action. They are composed of sediments of varying characteristic grain size depending on the amount
of wave and current energy present. Tidal flats may be covered by seagrasses, marsh grass, or mangroves, the environments which
are discussed elsewhere in this guide. Tidal flats are important to the coastal ecosystem because of the high biological productivity.
F1872 − 21
Oil retention on tidal flats is largely transitory and oil will often be carried to the supra-tidal regions. Tidal flats do not often require
cleaning, because the oil does not usually retain to the substrate. If oil is retained, it can be treated with shoreline cleaning agents,
although access is often difficult and can be damaging to the tidal flats.
6.5 Sandy Shorelines—Sandy shorelines are composed of sediments ranging from 0.06 to 2.0 mm in size. The composition of the
sand itself may vary, but it is usually either siliceous or carbonate. The character of the sediment may be a significant factor in
oil retention as oil adheres differently to different types of materials. Wave action can change the profile of a sandy beach and can
bury or cover oil. Sandy shorelines are readily amenable to treatment using shoreline cleaning agents. Low energy washing is
required to avoid disturbing the sand.
6.6 Gravel Shorelines—Gravel
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