ASTM D2973-10e1
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Total Nitrogen in Peat Materials
Standard Test Method for Total Nitrogen in Peat Materials
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Nitrogen content is important as it is one of the primary plant food elements necessary for plant growth. Nitrogen is present in peat as organic nitrogen, and therefore, does not release nitrogen to plants as quickly as chemical fertilizers. However, nitrogen from peat continues to be released for several years as the organic matter decomposes.
SCOPE
:
1.1 This test method covers a chemical test method for the determination of the weight percent of nitrogen in peat material.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. (See Practice D3740)
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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
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Designation: D2973 − 10
StandardTest Method for
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Total Nitrogen in Peat Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2973; 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.
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ε NOTE—Editorially corrected the jurisdiction in March 2011.
1. Scope* E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
2 Ventilation Ovens
1.1 This test method covers a chemical test method for the
determination of the weight percent of nitrogen in peat
3. Terminology
material.
3.1 Definitions:
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3.1.1 Forcommondefinitionsoftermsinthisstandard,refer
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
to Terminology D653.
standard.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the 4.1 In this procedure, the nitrogen is converted into ammo-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- nium salts by destructive digestion of the sample with a hot,
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica- catalyzed mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and potassium
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (See Practice sulfate. These salts are subsequently decomposed in a hot
D3740) alkaline solution from which the ammonia is recovered by
distillation and finally determined by acidimetric titration.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 Nitrogen content is important as it is one of the primary
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
plant food elements necessary for plant growth. Nitrogen is
Fluids
present in peat as organic nitrogen, and therefore, does not
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
release nitrogen to plants as quickly as chemical fertilizers.
D2974 Test Methods for Moisture,Ash, and Organic Matter
However, nitrogen from peat continues to be released for
of Peat and Other Organic Soils
several years as the organic matter decomposes.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
6. Apparatus
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
6.1 For Digestion—Use Kjeldahl flasks of hard, moderately
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
thick, well-annealed glass with total capacity of about 800 mL.
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
Conduct digestion over a heating device adjusted to bring 250
Construction Materials Testing
mL of water at 25°C to a rolling boil in about 5 min.
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
Data
6.2 For Distillation—Use 800-mL Kjeldahl flasks fitted
with rubber stoppers through which passes the lower end of an
efficientscrubberbulkortraptopreventmechanicalcarry-over
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ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
of sodium hydroxide solution during distillation. Connect the
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium
upper end of the bulb tube to the condenser tube by rubber
for Plant Growth.
tubing. Trap the outlet of the condenser in such a way as to
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010. Published November 2010. Originally
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D2973–71(2004). ensure complete absorption of ammonia distilled over into the
Withdrawn in 2009 and reinstated in 2010 as D2973 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/D2973-
acid in the receiver.
10E01.
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This method is currently undergoing an extensive review byASTM Committee 6.3 Erlenmeyer Flask, 250 or 300-mL capacity.
D18 and additional alternative methods will be proposed.
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 7. Reagents
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
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D2973 − 10
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit- equivalent sample weight, g5 (1)
tee onAnalytical Reagents of theAmerican Chemical Society,
10.0 2 ~10.0 3percent moisture removed!/100
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where such specifications are available. Other grades may be
9.2 Place the weighed sample in the digestion flask, add 0.7
...







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