ASTM E1391-03(2008)
(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
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.
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.
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.
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.
This standard is intended to provide technical support to those who design or perform sediment quality studies under a variety of regulatory and non-regul...
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)) 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 an...
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Designation: E1391 − 03(Reapproved 2008)
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.Anumber 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 (AnnexA1). 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.Avariety
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
1.4 There are several regulatory guidance documents con-
progress in our understanding of sediments and how to best
cerned with sediment collection and characterization proce-
study them. This version of the standard is based primarily on
dures that might be important for individuals performing
a document developed by USEPA(2001 (1)) and by Environ-
federalorstateagency-relatedwork.Discussionofsomeofthe
ment Canada (1994 (2)) as well as an earlier version of this
principles and current thoughts on these approaches can be
standard.
foundinDickson,etal.Ingersolletal.(1997 (5)),andWenning
1.2 Protecting sediment quality is an important part of
and Ingersoll (2002 (6)).
restoringandmaintainingthebiologicalintegrityofournatural
resourcesaswellasprotectingaquaticlife,wildlife,andhuman
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
Referenced Documents 2
areas for many aquatic organisms (MacDonald and Ingersoll
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
Interferences 6
contaminants to the water column, organisms, and ultimately
Apparatus 7
human consumers of those organisms.These contaminants can
Safety Hazards 8
Sediment Monitoring and Assessment Plans 9
arise from a number of sources, including municipal and
Collection of Whole Sediment Samples 10
Field Sample Processing, Transport, and Storage of 11
Sediments
Sample Manipulations 12
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental
Collection of Interstitial Water 13
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil-
Physico-chemical Characterization of Sediment Samples 14
ity of Subcommittee E50.47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate.
Quality Assurance 15
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2008. Published April 2008. Originally
Report 16
approved in 1990. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as E1391–03. DOI:
Keywords 17
10.1520/E1391-03R08.
Description of Samplers Used to Collect Sediment or Annex A1
Theboldfacenumbersinparenthesesrefertothelistofreferencesattheendof
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 (2008)
1.6 Field-collected sediments might contain potentially Associated Contaminants with Freshwater Invertebrates
toxic materials and should thus be treated with caution to IEEE/ASTM SI 10 American National Standard for Use of
minimize occupational exposure to workers. Worker safety theInternationalSystemofUnits(SI):TheModernMetric
must also be considered when working with spiked sediments System
containing various organic, inorganic, or radiolabeled
3. Terminology
contaminants, or some combination thereof. Careful consider-
ation should be given to those chemicals that might
3.1 Definitions:
biodegrade, volatilize, oxidize, or photolyze during the expo-
3.1.1 The words “must,” “should,” “may,” “ can,” and
sure.
“might” have very specific meanings in this guide. “Must” is
usedtoexpressanabsoluterequirement,thatis,tostatethatthe
1.7 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to
test ought to be designed to satisfy the specified condition,
be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses
unless the purpose of the test requires a different design.
are for information only.
“Must” is used only in connection with the factors that relate
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
directlytotheacceptabilityofthetest.“Should”isusedtostate
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
that the specified condition is recommended and ought to be
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
met in most tests. Although the violation of one “should” is
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
rarelyaseriousmatter,theviolationofseveralwilloftenrender
bility of regulatory requirements prior to use. Specific hazards
theresultsquestionable.Termssuchas“isdesirable,”“isoften
statements are given in Section 8.
desirable,” and“ might be desirable” are used in connection
with less important factors. “May” is used to mean “is (are)
2. Referenced Documents
allowed to,” “can” is used to mean“ is (are) able to,” and
2.1 ASTM Standards:
“might” is used to mean “could possibly.” Thus, the classic
D1067Test Methods for Acidity or Alkalinity of Water
distinctionbetween“may”and“can”ispreserved,and“might”
D1126Test Method for Hardness in Water
is never used as a synonym for either “may” or “can.”
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
3.1.2 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to
D1426Test Methods for Ammonia Nitrogen In Water
Guide E729 and Test Method E1706, Terminologies D1129
D3976Practice for Preparation of Sediment Samples for
and E943, and Classification D4387; for an explanation of
Chemical Analysis
units and symbols, refer to IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
D4387Guide for Selecting Grab Sampling Devices for
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
Collecting Benthic Macroinvertebrates (Withdrawn
3.2.1 site, n—a study area comprised of multiple sampling
2003)
station.
D4822Guide for Selection of Methods of Particle Size
3.2.2 station, n—a location within a site where physical,
Analysis of Fluvial Sediments (Manual Methods)
chemical, or biological sampling or testing is performed.
D4823Guide for Core Sampling Submerged, Unconsoli-
dated Sediments
4. Summary of Guide
E729Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test
4.1 This guide provides a review of widely used methods
Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphib-
for collecting, storing, characterizing, and manipulating sedi-
ians
ments for toxicity or bioaccumulation testing and also de-
E943Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
scribes samplers that can be used to collect benthic inverte-
ronmental Fate
brates. Where the science permits, recommendations are
E1241GuideforConductingEarlyLife-StageToxicityTests
provided on which procedures are appropriate, while identify-
with Fishes
ing their limitations. This guide addresses the following
E1367TestMethodforMeasuringtheToxicityofSediment-
general topics: (1) Sediment monitoring and assessment plans
Associated Contaminants with Estuarine and Marine In-
(including developing a study plan and a sampling plan), (2)
vertebrates
Collection of whole sediment samples (including a description
E1525GuideforDesigningBiologicalTestswithSediments
of various sampling equipment), (3) Processing, transport and
E1611Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with
storage of sediments, (4) Sample manipulations (including
Polychaetous Annelids
sieving,formulatedsediments,spiking,sedimentdilutions,and
E1688Guide for Determination of the Bioaccumulation of
preparation of elutriate samples), (5) Collection of interstitial
Sediment-Associated Contaminants by Benthic Inverte-
water (including sampling sediments in situ and ex situ), (6)
brates
Physico-chemical characterizations of sediment samples, (7)
E1706TestMethodforMeasuringtheToxicityofSediment-
Quality assurance, and (8) Samplers that can be used to collect
sediment or benthic invertebrates.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
5. Significance and Use
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
5.1 Sediment toxicity evaluations are a critical component
the ASTM website.
of environmental quality and ecosystem impact assessments,
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. and are used to meet a variety of research and regulatory
E1391 − 03 (2008)
objectives. The manner in which the sediments are collected, deviceorhowtouseaGeographicalPositioningSystem(GPS)
stored,characterized,andmanipulatedcaninfluencetheresults device) already exists in other published materials referenced
in this standard.
ofanysedimentqualityorprocessevaluationgreatly.Address-
ingthesevariablesinasystematicanduniformmannerwillaid
5.7 Given the above constraints, this standard: (1) presents
the interpretations of sediment toxicity or bioaccumulation
a discussion of activities involved in sediment sampling and
results and may allow comparisons between studies.
sample processing; (2) alerts the user to important issues that
5.2 Sediment quality assessment is an important component should be considered within each activity; and (3) gives
recommendationsonhowtobestaddresstheissuesraisedsuch
of water quality protection. Sediment assessments commonly
include physicochemical characterization, toxicity tests or that appropriate samples are collected and analyzed. An at-
tempt is made to alert the user to different considerations
bioaccumulation tests, as well as benthic community analyses.
The use of consistent sediment collection, manipulation, and pertainingtosamplingandsampleprocessingdependingonthe
storage methods will help provide high quality samples with objectives of the study (for example, remediation, dredged
which accurate data can be obtained for the national inventory material evaluations or status and trends monitoring).
and for other programs to prevent, remediate, and manage
5.8 The organization of this standard reflects the desire to
contaminated sediment.
give field personnel and managers a useful tool for choosing
5.3 Itisnowwidelyknownthatthemethodsusedinsample appropriate sampling locations, characterize those locations,
collect and store samples, and manipulate those samples for
collection, transport, handling, storage, and manipulation of
sediments and interstitial waters can influence the physico- analyses. Each section of this standard is written so that the
chemical properties and the results of chemical, toxicity, and reader can obtain information on only one activity or set of
bioaccumulation analyses. Addressing these variables in an activities (for example, subsampling or sample processing), if
appropriate and systematic manner will provide more accurate desired, without necessarily reading the entire standard. Many
sections are cross-referenced so that the reader is alerted to
sediment quality data and facilitate comparisons among sedi-
ment studies. relevantissuesthatmightbecoveredelsewhereinthestandard.
This is particularly important for certain chemical or toxico-
5.4 This standard provides current information and recom-
logical applications in which appropriate sample processing or
mendations for collecting and handling sediments for physico-
laboratory procedures are associated with specific field sam-
chemical characterization and biological testing, using proce-
pling procedures.
dures that are most likely to maintain in situ conditions, most
accurately represent the sediment in question, or satisfy par- 5.9 The methods contained in this standard are widely
applicable to any entity wishing to collect consistent, high
ticular needs, to help generate consistent, high quality data
collection. qualitysedimentdata.Thisstandarddoesnotprovideguidance
on how to implement any specific regulatory requirement, or
5.5 Thisstandardisintendedtoprovidetechnicalsupportto
design a particular sediment quality assessment, but rather it is
those who design or perform sediment quality studies under a
a compilation of technical methods on how to best collect
variety of regulatory and non-regulatory programs. Informa-
environmental samples that most appropriately address com-
tion is provided concerning general sampling design
mon sampling objectives.
considerations, field and laboratory facilities needed, safety,
5.10 The information presented in this standard should not
sampling equipment, sample storage and transport procedures,
and sample manipulation issues common to chemical or be viewed as the final statement on all the recommended
procedures. Many of the topics addressed in this standard (for
toxicological analyses. Information contained in this standard
reflects the knowledge and experience of several example, sediment holding time, formulated sediment
internationally-known sources including the Puget Sound
...
This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:E1391–02 Designation: E 1391 – 03 (Reapproved 2008)
Standard Guide for
Collection, Storage, Characterization, and Manipulation of
Sediments for Toxicological TestingCollection, 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 E 1391; 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
1.1This guide covers procedures for obtaining, storing, characterizing, and manipulating saltwater and freshwater sediments, for
use in laboratory sediment toxicity evaluations. It is not meant to provide 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 test methods are reviewed in this guide. A
statement on the consensus approach then follows this review of the test methods. This consensus approach has been included in
order to foster consistency among studies. The state-of-the-art is currently in its infancy, and the development of standard test
methods is not feasible; however, it is crucial that there be an understanding of the significant effects that these test methods have
on sediment quality evaluations. It is anticipated that recommended test methods and this guide will be updated routinely to reflect
progress in our understanding of sediments and how to best study them.
1.2There are several regulatory guidance documents concerned with sediment collection and characterization procedures that
might be important for individuals performing federal or state agency-related work. Discussion of some of the principles and
current thoughts on these approaches can be found in Dickson, et al *
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 (AnnexA1).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.Avariety 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).)
1.3Three documents, (Environment Canada and by Environment Canada (1994 (2), USEPA) as well as an earlier version
of this standard.
1.2 Protectingsedimentqualityisanimportantpartofrestoringandmaintainingthebiologicalintegrityofournaturalresources
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)and Test
Method E1706) provide supplemental guidance on procedures dealing with the collection, storage, characterization, and
manipulation of sediments used in toxicological assessments.
1.4Thisguideisarrangedasfollows:).Sedimentalsoservesasareservoirforcontaminantsinsedimentandthereforeapotential
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 and sublethal effects in benthic (sediment-dwelling) and other sediment-associated
organisms. In addition, natural and human disturbances can release contaminants to the overlying water, where pelagic (water
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee E47 on Biological Effects and Environmental Fate and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee E47.03 on
Sediment Assessment and Toxicology.
Current edition approved May 10, 2002.Feb. 1, 2008. Published August 2002.April 2008. Originally published as E1391–90.approved in 1990. Last previous edition
E1391–94.approved in 2003 as E 1391 – 03.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of 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.
E 1391 – 03 (2008)
column)organismscanbeexposed.Sediment-associatedcontaminantscanreduceoreliminatespeciesofrecreational,commercial,
or ecological importance, either through direct effects or by affecting the food supply that sustainable populations require.
Furthermore, some contaminants in sediment can bioaccumulate through the food chain and pose health risks to wildlife and
human consumers even when sediment-dwelling organisms are not themselves impacted (Test Method E 1706).
1.4 There are several regulatory guidance documents concerned with sediment collection and characterization procedures that
might be important for individuals performing federal or state agency-related work. Discussion of some of the principles and
current thoughts on these approaches can be found in Dickson, et al. Ingersoll et al. (1997 (5)), and Wenning and Ingersoll (2002
(6)).
1.5 This guide is arranged as follows:
Section
Scope 1
Referenced Documents 2
Terminology 3
Summary of Guide 4
Significance and Use 5
Interferences 6
Apparatus 7
Safety Hazards 8
Sampling and Transport 9
Sediment Monitoring and Assessment Plans 9
Storage Collection
of Whole
Sediment
Samples
Collection of Interstitial Water Field
Sample
Process-
ing, Trans-
port, and
Storage of
Sediments
Characterization Sample
Manipula-
tions
Manipulation Collection
of Intersti-
tial Water
Quality Assurance Physico-
chemical
Character-
ization of
Sediment
Samples
Report Quality As-
surance
Report 16
Keywords 17
Description of Samplers Used to Collect Sediment or Annex A1
Benthic Invertebrates
1.56 Field-collected sediments might contain potentially toxic materials and should thus be treated with caution to minimize
occupational exposure to workers.Worker safety must also be considered when working with spiked sediments containing various
organic, inorganic, or radiolabeled contaminants, or some combination thereof. Careful consideration should be given to those
chemicals that might biodegrade, volatilize, oxidize, or photolyze during the exposure.
1.6The1.7 The values stated in either SI or inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard.The values given in parentheses
are for information only.
1.71.8 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
limitationsrequirements prior to use. Specific hazards statements are given in Section 8.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129Terminology Relating to Water 1067 Test Methods for Acidity or Alkalinity of Water
D4387Classification of Grab Sampling Devices for Collecting Benthic Macroinvertebrates 1126 Test Method for Hardness in
Water
D4822Guide for Selection of Methods of Particle Size Analysis of Fluvial Sediments (Manual Methods) 1129 Terminology
Relating to Water
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book ofASTM Standards
, Vol 11.05.volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
E 1391 – 03 (2008)
D4823Guide for Core-Sampling Submerged, Unconsolidated Sediments 1426 Test Methods forAmmonia Nitrogen In Water
D 3976 Practice for Preparation of Sediment Samples for Chemical Analysis
D 4387 Guide for Selecting Grab Sampling Devices for Collecting Benthic Macroinvertebrates
D 4822 Guide for Selection of Methods of Particle Size Analysis of Fluvial Sediments (Manual Methods)
D 4823 Guide for Core Sampling Submerged, Unconsolidated Sediments
E 729 Guide for Conducting Acute Toxicity Tests on Test Materials with Fishes, Macroinvertebrates, and Amphibians
E 943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Environmental Fate
E 1241 Guide for Conducting Early Life-Stage Toxicity Tests with Fishes
E 1367Guide for Conducting 10-Day Static Sediment Toxicity Tests with Marine and Estuarine Amphipods
Test Method for Measuring the Toxicity of Sediment-Associated Contaminants with Estuarine and Marine Invertebrates
E 1525 Guide for Designing Biological Tests with Sediments
E 1611 Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with Polychaetous Annelids
E1383Guide for Conducting Sediment Toxicity Tests with Freshwater Invertebrates
1688 Guide for Determination of the Bioaccumulation of Sediment-Associated Contaminants by Benthic Invertebrates
E 1706 Test Method for Measuring the Toxicity of Sediment-Associated Contaminants with Freshwater Invertebrates
I EEE/ASTMSI10 AmericanNationalStandardforUseoftheInternationalSystemofUnits(SI):TheModernMetricSystem
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 The words “must,” “should,” “may,” “ can,” and “might” have very specific meanings in this guide. “Must” is used to
express an absolute requirement, that is, to state that the test ought to be designed to satisfy the specified condition, unless the
purpose of the test requires a different design. “Must” is used only in connection with the factors that relate directly to the
acceptability of the test. “Should” is used to state that the specified condition is recommended and ought to be met in most tests.
Although the violation of one “should” is rarely a serious matter, the violation of several will often render the results questionable.
Terms such as “is desirable,” “ is often desirable,” and“ might be desirable” are used in connection with less important factors.
“May”isusedtomean“is(are)allowedto,”“can”isusedtomean“is(are)ableto,”and“might”isusedtomean“couldpossibly.”
Thus, the classic distinction between “may” and“ can” is preserved, and “might” is never used as a synonym for either “may” or
“can.”
3.1.2 For definitions of terms used in this guide, refer to Guide E 729 and Test Method E 1706, Terminologies D 1129 and
E 943, and Classification D 4387; for an explanation of units and symbols, refer to IEEE/ASTM SI 10.
4.Summary to Guide
4.1This guide provides a review of widely used test methods for collecting, storing, characterizing, and manipulating sediments
for toxicity testing. Where the science permits, recommendations are provided on which procedures are appropriate, while
identifying their limitations.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 site, n—a study area comprised of multiple sampling station.
3.2.2 station, n—a location within a site where physical, chemical, or biological sampling or testing is performed.
4. Summary of Guide
4.1 This guide provides a review of widely used methods for collecting, storing, characterizing, and manipulating sediments for
toxicity or bioaccumulation testing and also describes samplers that can be used to collect benthic invertebrates.Where the science
permits, recommendations are provided on which procedures are appropriate, while identifying their limitations. This guide
addresses the following general topics: ( 1) Sediment monitoring and assessment plans (including developing a study plan and a
samplingplan),(2)Collectionofwholesedimentsamples(includingadescriptionofvarioussamplingequipment),(3)Processing,
transport and storage of sediments, (4) Sample manipulations (including sieving, formulated sediments, spiking, sediment
dilutions, and preparation of elutriate samples), (5) Collection of interstitial water (including sampling sediments in situ and ex
situ), (6) Physico-chemical characterizations of sediment samples, (7) Quality assurance, and (8) Samplers that can be used to
collect sediment or benthic invertebrates.
5. Significance and Use
5.1Sediment toxicity evaluations are a critical component of environmental quality and ecosystem impact assessments, 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.
6.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,
E 1391 – 03 (2008)
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,
...
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