ASTM D4542-22

Standard Test Methods for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The soluble salt content may be used to correct the index properties of soils such as water content, void ratio, specific gravity, degree of saturation, and dry density.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover a rapid procedure for squeezing pore water from fine-grained soils for the purpose of determining the amount of soluble salts present in the extracted pore water.  
1.2 These test methods were developed for soils having a water content equal to or greater than approximately 14 %, for example, marine soils. An extensive summary of procedures for extracting pore water from soils has been presented by Kriukov and Manheim (1).2  
1.3 These test methods are not generally applicable for determining the soluble salt content of the pore water extracted from coarse-grained soils, such as clean sands and gravels.  
1.4 Test Method A provides a procedure using a refractometer with a refraction index scale; Test Method B provides a procedure using a refractometer with a parts per thousand (ppt) scale.  
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.  
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.  
1.7 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.8 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.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 31-Jul-2022
• ICS: 13.080.10 - Chemical characteristics of soils
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.06 - Physical-Chemical Interactions of Soil and Rock

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: D4542 − 22
Standard Test Methods for
Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt
1
Content of Soils by Refractometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4542; 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* 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 These test methods cover a rapid procedure for squeez-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ing pore water from fine-grained soils for the purpose of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
determiningtheamountofsolublesaltspresentintheextracted
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
pore water.
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
1.2 These test methods were developed for soils having a
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
water content equal to or greater than approximately 14 %, for
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
example, marine soils. An extensive summary of procedures
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
for extracting pore water from soils has been presented by
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
2
Kriukov and Manheim (1).
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.3 These test methods are not generally applicable for
2. Referenced Documents
determining the soluble salt content of the pore water extracted
3
from coarse-grained soils, such as clean sands and gravels.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.4 Test Method A provides a procedure using a refracto-
Fluids
meter with a refraction index scale; Test Method B provides a
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
procedure using a refractometer with a parts per thousand (ppt)
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
scale.
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
as the standard.
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Construction Materials Testing
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
Practice D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.
cords in Geotechnical Data
1.6.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the
2.2 Federal Document:
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
GG-S-945a Specification for Syringe and Needle,
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- 4
Disposable, Hypodermic, Sterile, Single Injection
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
3. Terminology
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
3.1 Definitions:
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
3.1.1 Fordefinitionsofcommontechnicaltermsusedinthis
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in
analysis methods for engineering data. 3.2 Acronyms:
3.2.1 ppt, n—parts per thousand
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.06onPhysical-Chemical
3
Interactions of Soil and Rock. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2022. Published August 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D4542 – 15. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D4542-22. the ASTM website.
2 4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to Available from Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Tabor Ave.,
this standard. Philadelphia, PA, 19120.
*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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 --
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D4542 − 15 D4542 − 22
Standard Test Methods for
Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt
1
Content of Soils by Refractometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4542; 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 These test methods cover a rapid procedure for squeezing pore water from finegrainedfine-grained soils for the purpose of
determining the amount of soluble salts present in the extracted pore water.
1.2 These test methods were developed for soils having a water content equal to or greater than approximately 14 %, for example,
marine soils. An extensive summary of procedures for extracting pore water from soils has been presented by Kriukov and
2
Manheim (1).
1.3 These test methods are not generally applicable for determining the soluble salt content of the pore water extracted from
coarse-grained soils, such as clean sands and gravels.
1.4 Test Method A provides a procedure using a refractometer with a refraction index scale; Test Method B provides a procedure
using a refractometer with a parts per thousand (ppt) scale.
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.
1.7 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.
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.06 on Physical-Chemical
Interactions of Soil and Rock.
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015Aug. 1, 2022. Published December 2015August 2022. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20072015
as D4542 – 07.D4542 – 15. DOI: 10.1520/D4542-15.10.1520/D4542-22.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to 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
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4542 − 22
1.8 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
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction
Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical Data
E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
2.2 Federal Document:
4
GG-S-945a Specification for Syringe and Needle, Disposable, Hypodermic, Sterile, Single Injection
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this standard,
...