ASTM E1391-03(2023)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Collection, Storage, Characterization, and Manipulation of Sediments for Toxicological Testing and for Selection of Samplers Used to Collect Benthic Invertebrates
Standard Guide for Collection, Storage, Characterization, and Manipulation of Sediments for Toxicological Testing and for Selection of Samplers Used to Collect Benthic Invertebrates
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Sediment toxicity evaluations are a critical component of environmental quality and ecosystem impact assessments, and are used to meet a variety of research and regulatory objectives. The manner in which the sediments are collected, stored, characterized, and manipulated can influence the results of any sediment quality or process evaluation greatly. Addressing these variables in a systematic and uniform manner will aid the interpretations of sediment toxicity or bioaccumulation results and may allow comparisons between studies.
5.2 Sediment quality assessment is an important component of water quality protection. Sediment assessments commonly include physicochemical characterization, toxicity tests or bioaccumulation tests, as well as benthic community analyses. The use of consistent sediment collection, manipulation, and storage methods will help provide high quality samples with which accurate data can be obtained for the national inventory and for other programs to prevent, remediate, and manage contaminated sediment.
5.3 It is now widely known that the methods used in sample collection, transport, handling, storage, and manipulation of sediments and interstitial waters can influence the physicochemical properties and the results of chemical, toxicity, and bioaccumulation analyses. Addressing these variables in an appropriate and systematic manner will provide more accurate sediment quality data and facilitate comparisons among sediment studies.
5.4 This standard provides current information and recommendations for collecting and handling sediments for physicochemical characterization and biological testing, using procedures that are most likely to maintain in situ conditions, most accurately represent the sediment in question, or satisfy particular needs, to help generate consistent, high quality data collection.
5.5 This standard is intended to provide technical support to those who design or perform sediment quality studies under a variety of ...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers procedures for obtaining, storing, characterizing, and manipulating marine, estuarine, and freshwater sediments, for use in laboratory sediment toxicity evaluations and describes samplers that can be used to collect sediment and benthic invertebrates (Annex A1). This standard is not meant to provide detailed guidance for all aspects of sediment assessments, such as chemical analyses or monitoring, geophysical characterization, or extractable phase and fractionation analyses. However, some of this information might have applications for some of these activities. A variety of methods are reviewed in this guide. A statement on the consensus approach then follows this review of the methods. This consensus approach has been included in order to foster consistency among studies. It is anticipated that recommended methods and this guide will be updated routinely to reflect progress in our understanding of sediments and how to best study them. This version of the standard is based primarily on a document developed by USEPA (2001 (1))2 and by Environment Canada (1994 (2)) as well as an earlier version of this standard.
1.2 Protecting sediment quality is an important part of restoring and maintaining the biological integrity of our natural resources as well as protecting aquatic life, wildlife, and human health. Sediment is an integral component of aquatic ecosystems, providing habitat, feeding, spawning, and rearing areas for many aquatic organisms (MacDonald and Ingersoll 2002 a, b (3)(4)). Sediment also serves as a reservoir for contaminants in sediment and therefore a potential source of contaminants to the water column, organisms, and ultimately human consumers of those organisms. These contaminants can arise from a number of sources, including municipal and industrial discharges, urban and agricultural runoff, atmospheric deposition, and port operations.
1.3 Contaminated sediment can cause lethal ...
General Information
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
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.
Designation: E1391 − 03 (Reapproved 2023)
Standard Guide for
Collection, Storage, Characterization, and Manipulation of
Sediments for Toxicological Testing and for Selection of
Samplers Used to Collect Benthic Invertebrates
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1391; 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* industrial discharges, urban and agricultural runoff, atmo-
spheric deposition, and port operations.
1.1 This guide covers procedures for obtaining, storing,
characterizing, and manipulating marine, estuarine, and fresh-
1.3 Contaminated sediment can cause lethal and sublethal
water sediments, for use in laboratory sediment toxicity evalu-
effects in benthic (sediment-dwelling) and other sediment-
ations and describes samplers that can be used to collect
associated organisms. In addition, natural and human distur-
sediment and benthic invertebrates (Annex A1). This standard
bances can release contaminants to the overlying water, where
is not meant to provide detailed guidance for all aspects of
pelagic (water column) organisms can be exposed. Sediment-
sediment assessments, such as chemical analyses or
associated contaminants can reduce or eliminate species of
monitoring, geophysical characterization, or extractable phase
recreational, commercial, or ecological importance, either
and fractionation analyses. However, some of this information
through direct effects or by affecting the food supply that
might have applications for some of these activities. A variety
sustainable populations require. Furthermore, some contami-
of methods are reviewed in this guide. A statement on the
nants in sediment can bioaccumulate through the food chain
consensus approach then follows this review of the methods.
and pose health risks to wildlife and human consumers even
This consensus approach has been included in order to foster
when sediment-dwelling organisms are not themselves im-
consistency among studies. It is anticipated that recommended
pacted (Test Method E1706).
methods and this guide will be updated routinely to reflect
progress in our understanding of sediments and how to best
1.4 There are several regulatory guidance documents con-
study them. This version of the standard is based primarily on
cerned with sediment collection and characterization proce-
a document developed by USEPA (2001 (1)) and by Environ-
dures that might be important for individuals performing
ment Canada (1994 (2)) as well as an earlier version of this
federal or state agency-related work. Discussion of some of the
standard.
principles and current thoughts on these approaches can be
found in Dickson, et al. Ingersoll et al. (1997 (5)), and Wenning
1.2 Protecting sediment quality is an important part of
restoring and maintaining the biological integrity of our natural and Ingersoll (2002 (6)).
resources as well as protecting aquatic life, wildlife, and human
1.5 This guide is arranged as follows:
health. Sediment is an integral component of aquatic
Section
ecosystems, providing habitat, feeding, spawning, and rearing
Scope 1
areas for many aquatic organisms (MacDonald and Ingersoll
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
2002 a, b (3)(4)). Sediment also serves as a reservoir for
Summary of Guide 4
contaminants in sediment and therefore a potential source of
Significance and Use 5
contaminants to the water column, organisms, and ultimately
Interferences 6
Apparatus 7
human consumers of those organisms. These contaminants can
Safety Hazards 8
arise from a number of sources, including municipal and
Sediment Monitoring and Assessment Plans 9
Collection of Whole Sediment Samples 10
Field Sample Processing, Transport, and Storage of 11
Sediments
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Sample Manipulations 12
Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct responsibil- Collection of Interstitial Water 13
Physico-chemical Characterization of Sediment Samples 14
ity of Subcommittee E50.47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate.
Quality Assurance 15
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2023. Published March 2023. Originally
Report 16
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as E1391 – 03(2014).
Keywords 17
DOI: 10.1520/E1391-03R23.
Description of Samplers Used to Collect Sediment or Annex A1
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
Benthic Invertebrates
this standard.
*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
E1391 − 03 (2023)
1.6 Field-collected sediments might contain potentially Sediment-Associated Contaminants by Benthic Inverte-
toxic materials and should thus be treated with caution to brates
minimize occupational exposure to workers. Worker safety
E1706 Test Method for Measuring the Toxicity of Sediment-
must also be considered when working with spiked sediments
Associated Contaminants with Freshwater Invertebrates
containing various organic, inorganic, or radiolabeled
IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Use of
contaminants, or some combination thereof. Careful consider-
the International System of Units (SI): The Modern Metric
ation should be given to those chemicals that might
System
biodegrade, volatilize, oxidize, or photolyze during the expo-
sure.
3. Terminology
1.7 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to
3.1 Definitions:
be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses
3.1.1 The words “must,” “should,” “may,” “ can,” and
are for information only.
“might” have very specific meanings in this guide. “Must” is
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
used to express an absolute requirement, that is, to state that the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
test ought to be designed to satisfy the specified condition,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
unless the purpose of the test requires a different design.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
“Must” is used only in connection with the factors that relate
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to us-
directly to the acceptability of the test. “Should” is used to state
e.Specific hazards statements are given in Section 8.
that the specified condition is recommended and ought to be
1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
met in most tests. Although the violation of one “should” is
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
rarely a serious matter, the violation of several will often render
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
the results questionable. Terms such as “is desirable,” “ is often
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
desirable,” and“ might be desirable” are used in connection
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
with less important factors. “May” is used to mean “is (are)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
allowed to,” “can” is used to mean“ is (are) able to,” and
“might” is used to mean “could possibly.” Thus, the classic
2. Referenced Documents
distinction between “may” and“ can” is preserved, and “might”
2.1 ASTM Standards:
is never used as a synonym for either “may” or “can.”
D1067 Test Methods for Acidity or Alkalinity of Water
3.1.2 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to
D1126 Test Method for Hardness in Water
Guide E729 and Test Method E1706, Terminologies D1129
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
and E943, and Classification D4387; for an explanation of
D1426 Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water
units and symbols, refer to IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
D3976 Practice for Preparation of Sediment Samples for
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Chemical Analysis
3.2.1 site, n—a study area comprised of multiple sampling
D4387 Guide for Selecting Grab Sampling Devices for
station.
Collecting Benthic Macroinvertebrates (Withdrawn
2003)
3.2.2 station, n—a location within a site where physical,
D4822 Guide for Selection of Methods of Particle Size chemical, or biological sampling or testing is performed.
Analysis of Fluvial Sediments (Manual Methods)
D4823 Guide for Core Sampling Submerged, Unconsoli-
4. Summary of Guide
dated Sediments
4.1 This guide provides a review of widely used methods
E729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test
for collecting, storing, characterizing, and manipulating sedi-
Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphib-
ments for toxicity or bioaccumulation testing and also de-
ians
scribes samplers that can be used to collect benthic inverte-
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
brates. Where the science permits, recommendations are
ronmental Fate (Withdrawn 2023)
provided on which procedures are appropriate, while identify-
E1241 Guide for Conducting Early Life-Stage Toxicity Tests
ing their limitations. This guide addresses the following
with Fishes
general topics: (1) Sediment monitoring and assessment plans
E1367 Test Method for Measuring the Toxicity of Sediment-
(including developing a study plan and a sampling plan), (2)
Associated Contaminants with Estuarine and Marine In-
Collection of whole sediment samples (including a description
vertebrates
of various sampling equipment), (3) Processing, transport and
E1688 Guide for Determination of the Bioaccumulation of
storage of sediments, (4) Sample manipulations (including
sieving, formulated sediments, spiking, sediment dilutions, and
preparation of elutriate samples), (5) Collection of interstitial
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
water (including sampling sediments in situ and ex situ), (6)
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Physico-chemical characterizations of sediment samples, (7)
the ASTM website.
4 Quality assurance, and (8) Samplers that can be used to collect
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. sediment or benthic invertebrates.
E1391 − 03 (2023)
5. Significance and Use such detailed guidance warranted because much of this infor-
mation (for example, how to operate a particular sampling
5.1 Sediment toxicity evaluations are a critical component
device or how to use a Geographical Positioning System (GPS)
of environmental quality and ecosystem impact assessments,
device) already exists in other published materials referenced
and are used to meet a variety of research and regulatory
in this standard.
objectives. The manner in which the sediments are collected,
stored, characterized, and manipulated can influence the results
5.7 Given the above constraints, this standard: (1) presents
of any sediment quality or process evaluation greatly. Address-
a discussion of activities involved in sediment sampling and
ing these variables in a systematic and uniform manner will aid
sample processing; (2) alerts the user to important issues that
the interpretations of sediment toxicity or bioaccumulation
should be considered within each activity; and (3) gives
results and may allow comparisons between studies.
recommendations on how to best address the issues raised such
that appropriate samples are collected and analyzed. An at-
5.2 Sediment quality assessment is an important component
tempt is made to alert the user to different considerations
of water quality protection. Sediment assessments commonly
pertaining to sampling and sample processing depending on the
include physicochemical characterization, toxicity tests or
objectives of the study (for example, remediation, dredged
bioaccumulation tests, as well as benthic community analyses.
material evaluations or status and trends monitoring).
The use of consistent sediment collection, manipulation, and
storage methods will help provide high quality samples with
5.8 The organization of this standard reflects the desire to
which accurate data can be obtained for the national inventory
give field personnel and managers a useful tool for choosing
and for other programs to prevent, remediate, and manage
appropriate sampling locations, characterize those locations,
contaminated sediment.
collect and store samples, and manipulate those samples for
analyses. Each section of this standard is written so that the
5.3 It is now widely known that the methods used in sample
reader can obtain information on only one activity or set of
collection, transport, handling, storage, and manipulation of
activities (for example, subsampling or sample processing), if
sediments and interstitial waters can influence the physico-
desired, without necessarily reading the entire standard. Many
chemical properties and the results of chemical, toxicity, and
sections are cross-referenced so that the reader is alerted to
bioaccumulation analyses. Addressing these variables in an
relevant issues that might be covered elsewhere in the standard.
appropriate and systematic manner will provide more accurate
This is particularly important for certain chemical or toxico-
sediment quality data and facilitate comparisons among sedi-
logical applications in which appropriate sample processing or
ment studies.
laboratory procedures are associated with specific field sam-
5.4 This standard provides current information and recom-
pling procedures.
mendations for collecting and handling sediments for physico-
5.9 The methods contained in this standard are widely
chemical characterization and biological testing, using proce-
applicable to any entity wishing to collect consistent, high
dures that are most likely to maintain in situ conditions, most
quality sediment data. This standard does not provide guidance
accurately represent the sediment in question, or satisfy par-
on how to implement any specific regulatory requirement, or
ticular needs, to help generate consistent, high quality data
design a particular sediment quality assessment, but rather it is
collection.
a compilation of technical methods on how to best collect
5.5 This standard is intended to provide technical support to
environmental samples that most appropriately address c
...
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