ASTM D3977-97
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
Standard Test Methods for Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of sediment concentrations in water and wastewater samples collected from lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, and other water bodies. In lakes and other quiescent-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in samples are nearly equal to concentrations at sampling points; in most instances, sample concentrations are not strongly influenced by collection techniques. In rivers and other flowing-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in samples depend upon the manner in which the samples are collected. Concentrations in isokinetically-collected samples can be multiplied by water discharges to obtain sediment discharges in the vicinity of the sampling points.
1.2 The procedures given in these test methods are used by the Agricultural Research Service, Geological Survey, National Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies responsible for studying water bodies. These test methods are adapted from a laboratory-procedure manual and a quality-assurance plan.
1.3 These test methods include:
Test Method A-Evaporation (Sections 8-13)
Test Method B-Filtration (Sections 14-19)
Test Method C-Wet-sieving-filtration (Sections 20-25)
1.4 Test Method A can be used only on sediments that settle within the allotted storage time of the samples which usually ranges from a few days to a few weeks. A correction factor must be applied if dissolved-solids concentration exceeds about 10% of the sediment concentration.
1.5 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing sand concentrations less than about 10 000 ppm and clay concentrations less than about 200 ppm. The sediment need not be settleable because filters are used to separate water from the sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not required.
1.6 Test Method C can be used if two concentration values are required; one for sand-size particles and one for the combination of silt and clay-size particles. The silt-clay fraction need not be settleable.
1.7 These test methods must not be confused with turbidity measurements discussed in Test Method D 1889. Turbidity is the optical property of a sample that causes light rays to be scattered and absorbed; it is not an accurate measure of the mass or concentration of sediment in the sample.
1.8 These test methods contain some procedures similar to those in Test Methods D 1888 which pertains to measuring particulate and dissolved matter in water.
1.9 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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
Designation: D 3977 – 97
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 Test Methods for
1
Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 3977; 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 sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not
required.
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of sediment
1.6 Test Method C can be used if two concentration values
concentrations in water and wastewater samples collected from
are required: one for sand-size particles and one for the
lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, and other water bodies. In
combination of silt and clay-size particles. The silt-clay frac-
lakes and other quiescent-water bodies, concentrations of
tion need not be settleable.
sediment in samples are nearly equal to concentrations at
1.7 These test methods must not be confused with turbidity
sampling points; in most instances, sample concentrations are
measurements discussed in Test Method D 1889. Turbidity is
not strongly influenced by collection techniques. In rivers and
the optical property of a sample that causes light rays to be
other flowing-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in
scattered and absorbed; it is not an accurate measure of the
samples depend upon the manner in which the samples are
mass or concentration of sediment in the sample.
collected. Concentrations in isokinetically-collected samples
1.8 These test methods contain some procedures similar to
can be multiplied by water discharges to obtain sediment
those in Test Methods D 1888 which pertains to measuring
discharges in the vicinity of the sampling points.
particulate and dissolved matter in water.
1.2 The procedures given in these test methods are used by 1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
the Agricultural Research Service, Geological Survey, National safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
other agencies responsible for studying water bodies. These
2
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
test methods are adapted from a laboratory-procedure manual
3
and a quality-assurance plan.
2. Referenced Documents
1.3 These test methods include:
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Sections
4
D 1129 Terminology Relating to Water
Test Method A—Evaporation 8 to 13
4
Test Method B—Filtration 14 to 19 D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
Test Method C—Wet-sieving-filtration 20 to 25
D 1888 Test Methods for Particulate and Dissolved Matter
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in Water
1.4 Test Method A can be used only on sediments that settle
4
D 1889 Test Method for Turbidity of Water
within the allotted storage time of the samples which usually
D 2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
ranges from a few days to a few weeks. A correction factor
4
Applicable Methods of Committee D-19 on Water
must be applied if dissolved-solids concentration exceeds
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D 4410 Terminology for Fluvial Sediment
about 10 % of the sediment concentration.
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D 4411 Guide for Sampling Fluvial Sediment in Motion
1.5 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing
E 11 Specification for Wire-Cloth Sieves for Testing Pur-
sand concentrations less than about 10 000 ppm and clay
7
poses
concentrations less than about 200 ppm. The sediment need not
be settleable because filters are used to separate water from the 3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of water-related terms used
in these test methods refer to Terminologies D 1129 and
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-19 on
D 4410.
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments,
Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1997. Published May 1997. Originally
3.2.1 dissolved solids—soluble constituents in water. The
published as D 3977 – 80. Discontinued January 1995 and reinstated as
quantity is determined by evaporating a water sample to visible
D 3977 – 97.
2
Guy, H. P., “Laboratory Theory and Methods for Sediment Analysis,” Tech-
niques of Water Resources Investigations, U.S. Geological Survey, Book 5, Chapter
4
C1, 1941. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
3 5
Matthes, W. J., Jr., Sholar, C., J., and George, J. R.,“ Quality-Assurance Plan for Discontinued; see 1990 Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
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the Analysis of Fluvial Sediment,” U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 90, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, V
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