ASTM D3977-97(2013)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
Standard Test Methods for Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Suspended-sediment samples contain particles with a wide variety of physical characteristics. By presenting alternate approaches, these test methods allow latitude in selecting analysis methods that work best with the particular samples under study.
4.2 Sediment-concentration data are used for many purposes that include: (1) computing suspended-sediment discharges of streams or sediment yields of watersheds, (2) scheduling treatments of industrial and domestic water supplies, and (3) estimating discharges of pesticides, plant nutrients, and heavy metals transported on surfaces or inside sediment particles.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of sediment concentrations in water and wastewater samples collected from lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, and other water bodies. In lakes and other quiescent-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in samples are nearly equal to concentrations at sampling points; in most instances, sample concentrations are not strongly influenced by collection techniques. In rivers and other flowing-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in samples depend upon the manner in which the samples are collected. Concentrations in isokinetically-collected samples can be multiplied by water discharges to obtain sediment discharges in the vicinity of the sampling points.
1.2 The procedures given in these test methods are used by the Agricultural Research Service, Geological Survey, National Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies responsible for studying water bodies. These test methods are adapted from a laboratory-procedure manual2 and a quality-assurance plan.3
1.3 These test methods include:
Sections
Test Method A—Evaporation
8 to 13
Test Method B—Filtration
14 to 19
Test Method C—Wet-sieving-filtration
20 to 25
1.4 Test Method A can be used only on sediments that settle within the allotted storage time of the samples which usually ranges from a few days to a few weeks. A correction factor must be applied if dissolved-solids concentration exceeds about 10 % of the sediment concentration.
1.5 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing sand concentrations less than about 10 000 ppm and clay concentrations less than about 200 ppm. The sediment need not be settleable because filters are used to separate water from the sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not required.
1.6 Test Method C can be used if two concentration values are required: one for sand-size particles and one for the combination of silt and clay-size particles. The silt-clay fraction need not be settleable.
1.7 These test methods must not be confused with turbidity measurements discussed in Test Method D1889. Turbidity is the optical property of a sample that causes light rays to be scattered and absorbed; it is not an accurate measure of the mass or concentration of sediment in the sample.
1.8 These test methods contain some procedures similar to those in Test Methods D1888 which pertains to measuring particulate and dissolved matter in water.
1.9 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.
General Information
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D3977 − 97(Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Methods for
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Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3977; 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 besettleablebecausefiltersareusedtoseparatewaterfromthe
sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of sediment
required.
concentrationsinwaterandwastewatersamplescollectedfrom
lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, and other water bodies. In
1.6 Test Method C can be used if two concentration values
lakes and other quiescent-water bodies, concentrations of
are required: one for sand-size particles and one for the
sediment in samples are nearly equal to concentrations at
combination of silt and clay-size particles. The silt-clay frac-
sampling points; in most instances, sample concentrations are
tion need not be settleable.
not strongly influenced by collection techniques. In rivers and
1.7 These test methods must not be confused with turbidity
other flowing-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in
measurements discussed in Test Method D1889. Turbidity is
samples depend upon the manner in which the samples are
the optical property of a sample that causes light rays to be
collected. Concentrations in isokinetically-collected samples
scattered and absorbed; it is not an accurate measure of the
can be multiplied by water discharges to obtain sediment
mass or concentration of sediment in the sample.
discharges in the vicinity of the sampling points.
1.8 These test methods contain some procedures similar to
1.2 The procedures given in these test methods are used by
those in Test Methods D1888 which pertains to measuring
theAgriculturalResearchService,GeologicalSurvey,National
particulate and dissolved matter in water.
Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
other agencies responsible for studying water bodies. These
2
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
test methods are adapted from a laboratory-procedure manual
3
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and a quality-assurance plan.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3 These test methods include:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Sections
Test Method A—Evaporation 8 to 13
2. Referenced Documents
Test Method B—Filtration 14 to 19
Test Method C—Wet-sieving-filtration 20 to 25
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 TestMethodAcanbeusedonlyonsedimentsthatsettle
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
within the allotted storage time of the samples which usually
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
ranges from a few days to a few weeks. A correction factor
D1888MethodsOfTestforParticulateandDissolvedMatter
must be applied if dissolved-solids concentration exceeds 5
in Water (Withdrawn 1989)
about 10% of the sediment concentration.
D1889Test Method for Turbidity of Water (Withdrawn
5
1.5 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing
2007)
sand concentrations less than about 10000 ppm and clay D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
concentrationslessthanabout200ppm.Thesedimentneednot Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D4410Terminology for Fluvial Sediment
D4411Guide for Sampling Fluvial Sediment in Motion
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These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments,
Sieves
Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2013. Published January 2013. Originally
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D3977–97 (2007).
DOI: 10.1520/D3977-97R13.
2 4
Guy, H. P., “Laboratory Theory and Methods for Sediment Analysis,” Tech- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
niques of Water Resources Investigations , U.S. Geological Survey,Book5,Chapter contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
C1, 1941. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3
Matthes,W.J.,Jr.,Sholar,C.,J.,andGeorge,J.R.,“Quality-AssurancePlanfor the ASTM website.
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the Analysis of Fluvial Sediment,” U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 90, The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
1990. www.astm.org.
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