ASTM D5831-96(2001)

Standard Test Method for Screening Fuels in Soils

SCOPE
1.1 This test method is a screening procedure for determining the presence of fuels containing aromatic compounds in soils. If the contaminant fuel is available for calibration, the approximate concentration of the fuel in the soil can be calculated. If the contaminant fuel type is known, but the contaminant fuel is not available for calibration, an estimate of the concentration of the fuel in the soil can be determined using average response factors. If the nature of the contaminant fuel is unknown, the screening test method can be used to identify the possible presence of contamination.  
1.2 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

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Dec-2000
• ICS: 75.160.20 - Liquid fuels
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management
• Drafting Committee: D34.01.05 - Screening Methods

Relations

• Replaced By: ASTM D5831-02 - Standard Test Method for Screening Fuels in Soils
• Effective Date: 10-Jul-2002

Standards Content (Sample)

Designation: D 5831 – 96 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
1
Screening Fuels in Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 5831; 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 screening test method, refer to Terminology E 131.
1.1 This test method is a screening procedure for determin-
4. Summary of Test Method
ing the presence of fuels containing aromatic compounds in
4.1 A sample of soil is extracted with isopropyl alcohol, and
soils. If the contaminant fuel is available for calibration, the
the extract is filtered. The ultraviolet absorbance of the extract
approximate concentration of the fuel in the soil can be
is measured at 254 nm. If the contaminant fuel is available for
calculated. If the contaminant fuel type is known, but the
calibration, the approximate concentration of contamination is
contaminant fuel is not available for calibration, an estimate of
calculated. If the contaminant fuel type is known, but the
the concentration of the fuel in the soil can be determined using
contaminant fuel is not available for calibration, an estimate of
average response factors. If the nature of the contaminant fuel
the contaminant concentration is determined using average
is unknown, this screening test method can be used to identify
response factors. If the nature of the contaminant fuel is not
the possible presence of contamination.
known, the absorbance value is used to indicate the presence or
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of the
absence of fuel contamination. Calcium oxide is added to the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
soil as a conditioning agent to minimize interferences from
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
humic materials and moisture present in the soil. Particulate
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
interferences are removed by passing the extract through a
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
filter.
2. Referenced Documents
5. Significance and Use
2.1 ASTM Standards:
5.1 This screening test method is intended primarily for
D 2777 Practice for the Determination of Precision and Bias
2 field use to define the boundaries of soil contamination. If the
of Applicable Test Methods of Committee D-19 on Water
3
contaminant fuel is available for calibration, the approximate
E 131 Terminology Relating to Molecular Spectroscopy
concentration of the fuel in the soil can be calculated. If the
E 169 Practices for General Techniques of Ultraviolet-
3
fuel type is known, but the contaminant fuel is not available for
Visible Quantitative Analysis
calibration, an estimate of the contaminant fuel concentration
E 177 Practice for Use of the Terms Precision and Bias in
4
can be calculated using average response factors. If the nature
ASTM Test Methods
of the contaminant fuel is unknown, a contaminant concentra-
E 275 Practice for Describing and Measuring Performance
tion cannot be calculated, and the test method can only be used
of Ultraviolet, Visible, and Near Infrared Spectrophotom-
3 only to indicate the presence or absence of fuel contamination.
eters
5.2 Fuels containing aromatic compounds, such as diesel
E 691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
4 fuel and gasoline, as well as other aromatic-containing hydro-
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
carbon materials, such as crude oil, coal oil, and motor oil, can
E 925 Practice for the Periodic Calibration of Narrow Band-
3 be determined by this test method. The quantitation limit for
Pass Spectrophotometers
diesel fuel is about 75 mg/kg. Approximate quantitation limits
3. Terminology for other aromatic-containing hydrocarbon materials that can
be determined by this screening test method are given in Table
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this
1. Quantitation limits for highly aliphatic materials, such as
aviation gasoline and synthetic motor oil, are much higher than
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
those for more aromatic materials, such as coal oil and diesel
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.02 on Physical
fuel.
and Chemical Characterization.
Current edition approved Oct. 10, 1996. Published December 1996. Originally
NOTE 1—The quantitation limits listed in Table 1 are approximate
published as D 5831 – 95. Last previous edition D 5831 – 95.
values because in this test method, the quantitation limit can be influenced
2
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 11.01.
by the particular fuel type and soil background levels. For information on
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 03.06.
how the values given in Table 1 were determined, see Appendix X1. Data
4
Annual Book of
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