ASTM D5995-98(2010)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Environmental Site Characterization in Cold Regions
Standard Guide for Environmental Site Characterization in Cold Regions
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
This guide, when used in conjunction with Guide D5730, provides direction to the selection of the various ASTM standards that are available for the investigation of soil, rock, the vadose zone, groundwater, and other media where the investigations have an environmental purpose and are conducted in cold regions of the world. It is intended to improve consistency of practice and to encourage rational planning of a site characterization program by providing information to assist in the design of an environmental reconnaissance or investigation plans. This guide is intended to provide information that will help minimize the effect of site characterization operations on areas of frozen ground or permafrost and increase the safety of environmental operations in cold regions.
This guide presents information and references for site characterization for environmental purposes in cold regions of the world.
SCOPE
1.1 Use this guide in conjunction with Guide D5730.
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 groundwater 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 D5730.
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 permafrost areas of the world.
1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
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Designation: D5995 − 98 (Reapproved 2010)
Standard Guide for
Environmental Site Characterization in Cold Regions
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5995; 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.
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 document means only that the document has been approved
through the ASTM consensus process.
1.1 Use this guide in conjunction with Guide D5730.
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
1.2 This guide describes special problems to be considered
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
whenplanningfieldinvestigationsincoldregions.Theprimary
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
focus of this guide is presenting the special problems and
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
concerns of site characterization in the cold regions of the
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
world.
1.3 Laboratory testing of soil, rock, and groundwater
2. Referenced Documents
samples is specified by other ASTM standards that are not
2.1 ASTM Standards:
specifically discussed in this guide. Laboratory methods for
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
measurement of physical properties relevant to environmental
Fluids
investigations are included in Guide D5730.
D4083 Practice for Description of Frozen Soils (Visual-
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
Manual Procedure)
standard.
D5254 Practice for Minimum Set of Data Elements to
Identify a Ground-Water Site
1.5 This guide emphasizes the care that must be taken by all
D5408 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
field personnel during operations in tundra and permafrost
Groundwater Site; Part One—Additional Identification
areas of the world.
Descriptors
1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of information
D5409 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
Ground-Water Site; Part Two—Physical Descriptors
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
D5410 Guide for Set of Data Elements to Describe a
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
Ground-Water Site;Part Three—Usage Descriptors
judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
D5730 Guide for Site Characterization for Environmental
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
Purposes With Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
and Ground Water
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
D5781 Guide for Use of Dual-Wall Reverse-Circulation
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
Drilling for Geoenvironmental Exploration and the Instal-
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
lation of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoilandRock
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.01 on Surface and Subsurface
Characterization. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published September 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D5995–98(2004). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D5995-98R10. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D5995 − 98 (2010)
D5783 Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Drilling with Water- 5. Special Problems of Cold Regions
Based Drilling Fluid for Geoenvironmental Exploration
5.1 Safety—When working in very cold temperatures safety
and the Installation of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitor-
is of utmost importance. Weather is volatile and unpredictable.
ing Devices
Thedifficultyofworkingunderarcticconditionstendstocause
D6001 Guide for Direct-Push Ground Water Sampling for
frustration and increases the chance of injury. Freezing of
Environmental Site Characterization
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 D653.
work in these conditions.
3.1.1 Guide D5730 identifies major references from a range
of disciplines that can be used as additional sources for
5.2 Tundra—All operations in areas of tundra must be
definitions of terms that are related to environmental site
undertaken with special care. What causes a minor impact in a
characterization.
temperate region from a small environmental site characteriza-
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
of vehicle in tundra areas. Because of the fragile nature of
geographic regional zone, with the exception of widely scat-
tundra only a single vehicle pass or aircraft landing may be all
tered sites, such as newly deposited unconsolidated sediments,
that is required to cause uncontrolled degradation of the
where the climate has just begun to impose its influence on the
vegetation and underlying permafrost.
ground thermal regime that will cause the formation of
5.2.2 Give special attention to any operation using a motor-
continuous permafrost.
ized or heat producing unit (for example, drilling equipment).
3.2.4 discontinuous permafrost, n—permafrost occurring in
These items must be insulated in order to protect permafrost or
some areas beneath the ground surface throughout a geo-
frozen surface layers against heat transfer, which can result in
graphic regional zone where other areas are free of permafrost.
irreversible degradation of the vegetation and underlying
3.2.5 icing, n—asheet-likemassoflayeredice,eitheronthe
permafrost.
ground surface or on the surface of river ice.Aufeis (German),
5.3 Very Cold Temperatures—Field operations during sea-
Naled (Russian).
sons of very cold temperatures require special planning and
3.2.6 permafrost, n—the thermal condition in earth materi-
concern. Work elements that would require only an hour or so
als where temperatures below 0 °C persist over at least two
to perform in temperate climates may require several days to
consecutive winters and the intervening summer; moisture in
perform under the winter temperatures of cold regions. Site
the form of water and ground ice may or may not be present.
investigationplanningshouldtakeintoconsiderationandallow
Earth materials in this thermal condition may be described as
sufficient time to perform all steps of the investigation. Some
perennially frozen, irrespective of their water and ice content.
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
D5730, 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,thevadosezone,groundwater,andothermediawherethe
phenomenon of the polar and subpolar regions of the world.
investigations have an environmental purpose and are con-
About 20 % of the world’s land is underlain by permafrost.
ducted in cold regions of the world. It is intended to improve
Permafrost and permafrost hazards uniquely affect most activi-
consistency of practice and to encourage rational planning of a
ties in the cold regions, and permafrost and associated hazards
site characterization program by providing information to
must be considered in the planning of all environmental site
assist in the design of an environmental reconnaissance or
characterization operations.
investigation plans. This guide is intended to provide informa-
5.4.1 Many permafrost areas of the world are not in equi-
tion that will help minimize the effect of site characterization
librium with the existing climate.Any small disturbance of the
operations on areas of frozen ground or permafrost and
thermal regime of the permafrost, such as a tire track or drill
increasethesafetyofenvironmentaloperationsincoldregions.
hole, may result in a drastic change in the underlying perma-
4.2 This guide presents information and references for site frost.Therefore,extremecaremustbegiventopreventdamage
characterization for environmental purposes in cold regions of to the environment when conducting characterization opera-
the world. tions in areas underlain by permafrost.
D5995 − 98 (2010)
5.4.2 Permafrost acts as a natural barrier in some areas, 6.1.3 Data required for selection and design of any imple-
containing aquifers not usually exposed to surface conditions. mentation measures (that is, protective measures at controlled
Penetration of the permafrost layer into underlying groundwa- waste disposal sites, remediation options at contaminated
ter during installation of monitoring wells or collection of deep sites).
coresamplescanincreaseandexacerbatethefateandtransport
6.1.4 Data and information on any known geologic or
of environmental contaminants. This can, in turn, change a hydrologic hazards at the site.
relatively small, contained site into a much larger area of
6.1.5 Data required for risk assessment or to propose
contamination with greater environmental impact in a region
alternative cleanup levels.
with fragile, highly specialized flora and fauna.
6.2 Asite visit prior to extensive collection of existing data
5.5 Seepage Icings—Groundwater that seeps or flows at
should be made unless the limited scope of a project does not
ground surface often results in the formation of disruptive
allow multiple visits. The advantage of such a visit is that it
icings. Because many of these seepage sites are located along
may prevent preconceived ideas derived from inaccurate ex-
road cuts the icings may result in loss of use of the roadway.
isting information from influencing initial conceptual site
Seepage icings from uncontrolled artesian well flow have been
model development. A complete environmental site investiga-
known to cause disruptions. Seasonal frost moves downward tion will usually encompass the following activities:
morequicklyalongroadwaysthanitdoesadjacentundisturbed
6.2.1 Reviewavailableinformation,bothregionalandlocal,
areas.At times, seasonal frost will move downward to contact
on the geologic history (including seismic activity and other
the underlying permafrost and form a frost dam within the soil
potential geologic hazards), rock, soil, groundwater, surface
that impedes the flow of groundwater. Hydrostatic pressure
water, and other significant environmental and anthropogenic
will then increase, forcing water to the surface forming an
features (for example, buried utilities) occurring at the pro-
icing. Special attention must be given when undertaking
posed location and in the immediate vicinity of the site.
environmental site investigations in cold regions to prevent the
6.2.2 In cold regions, the site investigation plan should
occurrence of icings, unless specifically created by design for
include information as to study site selection, routes of access
construction of winter haul roads.
to the site with minimum environmental damage, type and
number of tests to be performed at the site, and disposal of
5.6 Frost Heaving—Inareasoffine-grainedsediments,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,changesincasingelevationmayresultinwaterlevel
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
groundwater 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 prev
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