ASTM D4131-19(2024)

Standard Practice for Sampling Fish with Rotenone

ABSTRACT
This practice covers determination of the quantitative and qualitative species composition of fish in a specified area. The successful use of this technique is dependent on: (1) preventing fish from escaping the sample area and (2) retrieving all affected fish, which may take up to three days. This practice is useful in both short- and long-term studies for management and impact assessment purposes. The sample area is blocked off with a small mesh net(s) and the volume of water to be treated is calculated. The required quantity of rotenone is diluted and distributed throughout the water column in the sample area. All fish should be affected and they should be collected for processing.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers determination of the quantitative and qualitative species composition of fish in a specified area. The successful use of this technique is dependent on: (1) preventing fish from escaping the sample area and (2) retrieving all affected fish, which may take up to three days.  
1.2 Advantages:  
1.2.1 Easily detoxified.  
1.2.2 All native freshwater fish are susceptible, but it has low toxicity to mammals and birds.  
1.2.3 At low concentrations fish toxicity depends on species, age, and size.  
1.2.4 The suffocating action is reversible.  
1.3 Limitations:  
1.3.1 It is less effective in cold (below 20 °C) and highly alkaline water.  
1.3.2 Smaller fish and those without air bladders usually do not float.  
1.3.3 Completely random selection of sample areas is not possible.  
1.3.4 Overkill beyond sample area can sometimes occur.  
1.3.5 Food web organisms may be eliminated.  
1.4 Applications—This practice is useful in both short- and long-term studies for management and impact assessment purposes. It is adaptable to both lotic and lentic situations in littoral and limnetic areas.  
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical conversions to SI units that are provided for information only and are not considered standard.  
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific hazards, see Section 7.  
1.7 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-Mar-2024
• ICS: 67.120.30 - Fish and fishery products
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.24 - Water Microbiology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4131-19 - Standard Practice for Sampling Fish with Rotenone
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM D4211-21 - Standard Guide for Fish Sampling
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024

Overview

ASTM D4131-19(2024): Standard Practice for Sampling Fish with Rotenone specifies procedures for determining the quantitative and qualitative species composition of fish in a specified area using rotenone. Rotenone is a piscicide that enables effective collection of all fish present within a delimited sampling area, supporting research, management, and environmental impact assessment. This standard practice is widely applied in both lentic (still water) and lotic (flowing water) environments, contributing to fisheries management, aquatic ecology, and regulatory monitoring efforts.

Key Topics

• Sampling Methodology: The practice details how to section off an area using block-off nets to prevent fish from escaping and ensure a controlled application of rotenone. The sample region is isolated and the water volume is measured for precise rotenone dosing.
• Use of Rotenone: Rotenone, when properly applied, affects all fish within the sampling area, allowing accurate assessment of species composition. Detoxification with potassium permanganate is included in the methodology to minimize environmental risk.
• Equipment: Required equipment includes block-off nets, dip nets, flat-bottom boats, mixing vessels, chemical applicators (such as a venturi siphon or pumps), and appropriate safety gear.
• Operational Advantages: Key benefits of this fish sampling method are the reversibility of rotenone’s action, relatively low toxicity to mammals and birds, and the ability to effectively sample a wide range of native freshwater fish.
• Limitations and Considerations:
  • Less effective in cold or highly alkaline waters.
  • Certain fish, such as small or non-air bladder species, may not float post-treatment, complicating retrieval.
  • Potential for impacting food web organisms and occasional overkill beyond intended areas.
  • Not all sampling area selections can be perfectly random.

Applications

• Fisheries Management: The standard is ideal for baseline population assessments, monitoring species diversity, and evaluating the effects of habitat management or restoration activities.
• Impact and Regulatory Assessment: Used to gauge ecological health and compliance with aquatic resource regulations, particularly when documenting species at risk or tracking invasive species.
• Research: Essential for scientific studies that require reliable quantitative and qualitative fish community data, enabling reproducible and comparable results in both short- and long-term studies.
• Adaptability: Techniques described are suitable for lakes, reservoirs, streams, and rivers; they are applicable in both littoral (near-shore), limnetic (open water), and lotic (flowing water) habitats.

Related Standards

• ASTM D1129 - Terminology Relating to Water: Defines relevant terms used in this and other water-related standards.
• ASTM D1193 - Specification for Reagent Water: Ensures laboratory water quality for reagent preparation.
• Safety and Environmental Standards: Users must establish appropriate health, safety, and environmental protocols in line with national and international guidelines before field application.

For professionals involved in aquatic resource management and research, ASTM D4131-19(2024) offers a robust, practical framework for the systematic sampling of fish communities using rotenone, supporting accurate data collection for decision-making and scientific study. For complete procedures and safety recommendations, refer to the full standard available from ASTM International.

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: D4131 − 19 (Reapproved 2024)
Standard Practice for
Sampling Fish with Rotenone
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4131; 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 international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This practice covers determination of the quantitative
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and qualitative species composition of fish in a specified area.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
The successful use of this technique is dependent on: (1)
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
preventing fish from escaping the sample area and (2) retriev-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
ing all affected fish, which may take up to three days.
1.2 Advantages:
2. Referenced Documents
1.2.1 Easily detoxified.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.2.2 All native freshwater fish are susceptible, but it has
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
low toxicity to mammals and birds.
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1.2.3 At low concentrations fish toxicity depends on
species, age, and size.
3. Terminology
1.2.4 The suffocating action is reversible.
3.1 Definitions:
1.3 Limitations:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
1.3.1 It is less effective in cold (below 20 °C) and highly
Terminology D1129.
alkaline water.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
1.3.2 Smaller fish and those without air bladders usually do
3.2.1 lentic, n—of or relating to aquatic environment where
not float.
to standing waters, such as ponds, lakes, or reservoirs.
1.3.3 Completely random selection of sample areas is not
3.2.2 limnetic, n—open deep waters of a body of fresh
possible.
water.
1.3.4 Overkill beyond sample area can sometimes occur.
1.3.5 Food web organisms may be eliminated.
3.2.3 littorial, n—situated or growing on or near the shore of
a large body of water.
1.4 Applications—This practice is useful in both short- and
long-term studies for management and impact assessment 3.2.4 lotic, n—of or relating to aquatic environment where
purposes. It is adaptable to both lotic and lentic situations in
there is fast moving waters.
littoral and limnetic areas.
4. Summary of Practice
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
4.1 The sample area is blocked off with a small mesh net(s)
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
and the volume of water to be treated is calculated. The
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
required quantity of rotenone is diluted and distributed
and are not considered standard.
throughout the water column in the sample area. All fish should
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
be affected and they should be collected for processing (1).
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Apparatus
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5.1 Vessels, for measuring and mixing rotenone and for
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
collecting fish.
For specific hazards, see Section 7.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.24 on Water Microbiology. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved April 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally the ASTM website.
approved in 1984. Last previous edition addition approved in 2019 as D4131 – 19. The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
DOI: 10.1520/D4131-19R24. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4131 − 19 (2024)
5.2 Chemical Applicator, for boat use. 8.1.2 The target concentration of rotenone in the sample
5.2.1 Venturi Siphon or Automatic Boat Bailer that attaches area is 0.5 mg ⁄L to 2.0 mg ⁄L depending on water conditions
to outboard motor’s cavatation plate. and whether a partial or complete kill is required (1.89 L to
5.2.2 Gasoline-Powered Pump and Weighted Perforated 7.57 L 5 % liquid per 3 acre-ft (1233 m ) will give this
Hose. concentration). Mix the required amount of rotenone in a tub
and dilute it with enough water to disperse uniformly over the
5.3 Block-Off Net(s) ⁄4 in. (6.4 mm) bar mesh for lake-
sample area.
reservoir and small stream use or ⁄4 in. to 1 in. (19 mm to
8.1.3 Applied first along the block-off net(s) by pumping
25 mm) bar mesh for larger streams).
through a weighted perforated hose or by a venturi siphon
5.4 Dip Nets, for collecting fish.
attached to the outboard motor. The remainder of the cove is
treated in a zigzag pattern. In shallow waters it can be poured
5.5 Flat-Bottom Boats, 12 ft to 14 ft (3.6 m to 4.3 m) or
larger. into the prop wash.
8.1.4 When fish start to surface, collect fish as quickly as
6. Reagents
possible, or they will sink and may be lost.
8.1.5 Detoxify by dispersing potassium permanganate equal
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
to t
...