ASTM D5995-98
(Guide)Standard Guide for Environmental Site Characterization in Cold Regions
Standard Guide for Environmental Site Characterization in Cold Regions
SCOPE
1.1 Use this guide in conjunction with Guide D 5730.
1.2 This guide describes special problems to be considered when planning field investigations in cold regions. The primary focus of this guide is presenting the special problems and concerns of site characterization in the cold regions of the world.
1.3 Laboratory testing of soil, rock and ground-water samples is specified by other ASTM standards that are not specifically discussed in this guide. Laboratory methods for measurement of physical properties relevant to environmental investigations are included in Guide D 5730.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.5 This guide emphasizes the care that must be taken by all field personnel during operations in tundra and perma-frost areas of the world.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D 5995 – 98
Standard Guide for
Environmental Site Characterization in Cold Regions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5995; 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.
INTRODUCTION
Understanding environmental processes that occur in soil and rock systems in cold regions of the
world depends on adequate characterization of not only the physical, chemical, and biological
properties of soil and rock but also the climatic factors under which they exist. Processes of interest
may include, but are not limited to, surface and subsurface hydrology, contaminant mobilization,
distribution, fate and transport, chemical and biological degradation of wastes, geomorphological, and
ecological processes in general.
1. Scope 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 Use this guide in conjunction with Guide D 5730.
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
1.2 This guide describes special problems to be considered
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
when planning field investigations in cold regions. The primary
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
focus of this guide is presenting the special problems and
concerns of site characterization in the cold regions of the
2. Referenced Documents
world.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 Laboratory testing of soil, rock, and ground-water
D 653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
samples is specified by other ASTM standards that are not
Fluids
specifically discussed in this guide. Laboratory methods for
D 4083 Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual-
measurement of physical properties relevant to environmental
Manual Procedure)
investigations are included in Guide D 5730.
D 5254 Practice for the Minimum Set of Data Elements to
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Identify a Ground-Water Site
standard.
D 5408 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
1.5 This guide emphasizes the care that must be taken by all
Ground-Water Site; Part One—Additional Identification
field personnel during operations in tundra and permafrost
Descriptors
areas of the world.
D 5409 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of information
Ground-Water Site; Part Two—Physical Descriptors
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
D 5410 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
Ground-Water Site; Part Three—Usage Descriptors
experience and should be used in conjunction with professional
D 5730 Guide to Site Characterization for Environmental
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
Purposes with Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
and Ground Water
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
D 5781 Guide for Use of Dual-Wall Reverse-Circulation
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
Drilling for Geoenvironmental Exploration and Installa-
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
tion of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
D 5783 Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Drilling with
document means only that the document has been approved
Water-Based Drilling Fluid for Geoenvironmental Explo-
through the ASTM consensus process.
ration and Installation of Subsurface Water-Quality Moni-
toring Devices
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D-18 on Soil and
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and
Subsurface Characterization.
Current edition approved March 10, 1998. Published August 1998. Originally Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
published as D 5995 – 96. Last previous edition D 5995 – 96. Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.09.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D 5995 – 98
D 6001 Guide for Direct Push Water Sampling for Geoen- The difficulty of working under arctic conditions tends to cause
vironmental Investigations frustration and increases the chance of injury. Freezing of
exposed flesh and hypothermia can occur very quickly under
3. Terminology winter conditions. Specific training in arctic survival tech-
niques in accordance with the Department of the Army or
3.1 Definitions—Definitions of terms used in this guide are
comparable training is recommended for anyone expected to
in accordance with Terminology D 653.
work in these conditions.
3.1.1 Guide D 5730 identifies major references from a range
5.2 Tundra—All operations in areas of tundra must be
of disciplines that can be used as additional sources for
undertaken with special care. What causes a minor impact in a
definitions of terms that are related to environmental site
temperate region from a small environmental site characteriza-
characterization.
tion study will have a greater impact on tundra or areas
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
underlain by permafrost. Special care and attention during the
3.2.1 active layer, n—the top layer of ground above the
planning process must be given to field operations to prevent
permafrost table that thaws each summer and refreezes each
damage to the tundra surface and vegetation. Winter field
fall.
operations when tundra is protected by snow and ice are less
3.2.2 alpine permafrost, n—permafrost developed in tem-
damaging than summer operations but increase difficulties
perate climate mountainous areas of the world.
created by very cold temperatures (see 5.3).
3.2.3 continuous permafrost, n—permafrost occurring ev-
5.2.1 Give special attention to all operations using any form
erywhere beneath the exposed land surface throughout a
geographic regional zone, with the exception of widely scat- of vehicle in tundra areas. Because of the fragile nature of
tundra only a single vehicle pass or aircraft landing may be all
tered sites, such as newly deposited unconsolidated sediments,
where the climate has just begun to impose its influence on the that is required to cause uncontrolled degradation of the
ground thermal regime that will cause the formation of vegetation and underlying permafrost.
continuous permafrost.
5.2.2 Give special attention to any operation using a motor-
3.2.4 discontinuous permafrost, n—permafrost occurring in
ized or heat producing unit (for example, drilling equipment).
some areas beneath the ground surface throughout a geo-
These items must be insulated in order to protect permafrost or
graphic regional zone where other areas are free of permafrost.
frozen surface layers against heat transfer, which can result in
3.2.5 icing, n—a sheet-like mass of layered ice, either on the
irreversible degradation of the vegetation and underlying
ground surface or on the surface of river ice. Aufeis (German),
permafrost.
Naled (Russian).
5.3 Very Cold Temperatures—Field operations during sea-
3.2.6 permafrost, n—the thermal condition in earth materi-
sons of very cold temperatures require special planning and
als where temperatures below 0°C persist over at least two
concern. Work elements that would require only an hour or so
consecutive winters and the intervening summer; moisture in
to perform in temperate climates may require several days to
the form of water and ground ice may or may not be present.
perform under the winter temperatures of cold regions. Site
Earth materials in this thermal condition may be described as
investigation planning should take into consideration and allow
perennially frozen, irrespective of their water and ice content.
sufficient time to perform all steps of the investigation. Some
procedures, such as tactile methods for visual-manual classifi-
4. Significance and Use
cation of soils, may not be feasible during cold weather.
4.1 This guide, when used in conjunction with Guide
5.4 Permafrost—The cold winters and short summers of the
D 5730, provides direction to the selection of the various polar regions produce a layer of frozen ground or permafrost
ASTM standards that are available for the investigation of soil,
that remains frozen through the summer. Permafrost is a
rock, the vadose zone, ground-water, and other media where phenomenon of the polar and subpolar regions of the world.
the investigations have an environmental purpose and are
About 20 % of the world’s land is underlain by permafrost.
conducted in cold regions of the world. It is intended to Permafrost and permafrost hazards uniquely affect most activi-
improve consistency of practice and to encourage rational
ties in the cold regions, and permafrost and associated hazards
planning of a site characterization program by providing must be considered in the planning of all environmental site
information to assist in the design of an environmental recon-
characterization operations.
naissance or investigation plans. This guide is intended to
5.4.1 Many permafrost areas of the world are not in equi-
provide information that will help minimize the effect of site
librium with the existing climate. Any small disturbance of the
characterization operations on areas of frozen ground or
thermal regime of the permafrost, such as a tire track or drill
permafrost and increase the safety of environmental operations
hole, may result in a drastic change in the underlying perma-
in cold regions.
frost. Therefore, extreme care must be given to prevent damage
4.2 This guide presents information and references for site
to the environment when conducting characterization opera-
characterization for environmental purposes in cold regions of
tions in areas underlain by permafrost.
the world.
5.4.2 Permafrost acts as a natural barrier in some areas,
containing aquifers not usually exposed to surface conditions.
5. Special Problems of Cold Regions
Penetration of the permafrost layer into underlying ground
5.1 Safety—When working in very cold temperatures safety water during installation of monitoring wells or collection of
is of utmost importance. Weather is volatile and unpredictable. deep core samples can increase and exacerbate the fate and
D 5995 – 98
transport of environmental contaminants. This can, in turn, 6.1.5 Data required for risk assessment or to propose
change a relatively small, contained site into a much larger area alternative cleanup levels.
of contamination with greater environmental impact in a region
6.2 A site visit prior to extensive collection of existing data
with fragile, highly specialized flora and fauna.
should be made unless the limited scope of a project does not
5.5 Seepage Icings—Ground-water that seeps or flows at allow multiple visits. The advantage of such a visit is that it
ground surface often results in the formation of disruptive
may prevent preconceived ideas derived from inaccurate ex-
icings. Because many of these seepage sites are located along isting information from influencing initial conceptual site
road cuts the icings may result in loss of use of the roadway.
model development. A complete environmental site investiga-
Seepage icings from uncontrolled artesian well flow have been tion will usually encompass the following activities:
known to cause disruptions. Seasonal frost moves downward
6.2.1 Review available information, both regional and local,
more quickly along roadways than it does adjacent undisturbed
on the geologic history (including seismic activity and other
areas. At times, seasonal frost will move downward to contact
potential geologic hazards), rock, soil, ground-water, surface
the underlying permafrost and form a frost dam within the soil
water, and other significant environmental and anthropogenic
that impedes the flow of ground-water. Hydrostatic pressure
features (for example, buried utilities) occurring at the pro-
will then increase, forcing water to the surface forming an
posed location and in the immediate vicinity of the site.
icing. Special attention must be given when undertaking
6.2.2 In cold regions, the site investigation plan should
environmental site investigations in cold regions to prevent the
include information as to study site selection, routes of access
occurrence of icings, unless specifically created by design for
to the site with minimum environmental damage, type and
construction of winter haul roads.
number of tests to be performed at the site, and disposal of
5.6 Frost Heaving—In areas of fine-grained sediments, such
waste produced by tests and personnel along with any special
as silt and clay, frost heaving along with loss of bearing
requirements needed to reduce the effects of the testing on the
strength is a major problem that must be considered when
surrounding environment. Nonintrusive, nondestructive geo-
installing recorder sites for monitoring operations in cold
physical testing methods, such as seismic refraction, electro-
regions. Frost heaving may distort structures, collapse well
magnetic induction, and ground-penetrating radar may help
casings, and cause changes in casing elevations of wells. If not
optimize sampling programs and selection of locations for
corrected, changes in casing elevation may result in water level
monitoring well installations.
measurements that are not correct. During design, siting or
6.2.3 A site investigation plan in cold regions usually will
construction of structures, frost heaving must be considered
require a subsurface temperature monitoring system to help
and taken into account.
assess natural seasonal changes in ground conditions and
5.7 Transient Artesian Conditions—During drilling opera-
document impacts of disturbance on tundra ecosystems.
tions, special attention must be given to possible artesian
ground-water conditions below any existing permafrost layers.
7. Field Methods
Drilling operations in cold regions must include plans for
7.1 All field procedures should be documented by identify-
dealing with the artesian pressures and blow-out prevention.
ing time, date, location, meteorological conditions, and person-
This may require the use of forward rotary drilling equipment
nel involved. Practice D 5254 and Guides D 5408, D 5409, and
and mud additives to increase the specific weight of the drilling
D 5410 identify minimum and additional data elements for
fluid during drilling. Guide D 5783
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