ASTM D3977-97(2013)e1
(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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.10 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
Relations
Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
´1
Designation: D3977 − 97 (Reapproved 2013)
Standard Test Methods for
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.
ε NOTE—Editorial corrections made to Table 1 in January 2014.
1. Scope concentrationslessthanabout200ppm.Thesedimentneednot
besettleablebecausefiltersareusedtoseparatewaterfromthe
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of sediment
sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not
concentrationsinwaterandwastewatersamplescollectedfrom
required.
lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, and other water bodies. In
lakes and other quiescent-water bodies, concentrations of 1.6 Test Method C can be used if two concentration values
sediment in samples are nearly equal to concentrations at are required: one for sand-size particles and one for the
sampling points; in most instances, sample concentrations are combination of silt and clay-size particles. The silt-clay frac-
not strongly influenced by collection techniques. In rivers and tion need not be settleable.
other flowing-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in
1.7 These test methods must not be confused with turbidity
samples depend upon the manner in which the samples are
measurements discussed in Test Method D1889. Turbidity is
collected. Concentrations in isokinetically-collected samples
the optical property of a sample that causes light rays to be
can be multiplied by water discharges to obtain sediment
scattered and absorbed; it is not an accurate measure of the
discharges in the vicinity of the sampling points.
mass or concentration of sediment in the sample.
1.2 The procedures given in these test methods are used by
1.8 These test methods contain some procedures similar to
theAgriculturalResearchService,GeologicalSurvey,National
those in Test Methods D1888 which pertains to measuring
Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and
particulate and dissolved matter in water.
other agencies responsible for studying water bodies. These
1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
test methods are adapted from a laboratory-procedure manual
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
and a quality-assurance plan.
standard.
1.3 These test methods include:
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Sections
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Test Method A—Evaporation 8 to 13
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Test Method B—Filtration 14 to 19
Test Method C—Wet-sieving-filtration 20 to 25
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.4 TestMethodAcanbeusedonlyonsedimentsthatsettle bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
within the allotted storage time of the samples which usually
2. Referenced Documents
ranges from a few days to a few weeks. A correction factor
must be applied if dissolved-solids concentration exceeds
2.1 ASTM Standards:
about 10% of the sediment concentration.
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
1.5 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing
D1888MethodsOfTestforParticulateandDissolvedMatter
sand concentrations less than about 10000 ppm and clay
in Water (Withdrawn 1989)
D1889Test Method for Turbidity of Water (Withdrawn
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments,
2007)
Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow.
D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
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/D3977-97R13E01.
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, Book 5, 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
Matthes,W.J.,Jr.,Sholar,C.,J.,andGeorge,J.R.,“Quality-AssurancePlanfor the ASTM website.
the Analysis of Fluvial Sediment,” U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report,Vol The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
90, 1990. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
´1
D3977 − 97 (2013)
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water approaches, these test methods allow latitude in selecting
D4410Terminology for Fluvial Sediment analysis methods that work best with the particular samples
D4411Guide for Sampling Fluvial Sediment in Motion under study.
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
4.2 Sediment-concentration data are used for many pur-
Sieves
poses that include: (1) computing suspended-sediment dis-
charges of streams or sediment yields of watersheds, (2)
3. Terminology
scheduling treatments of industrial and domestic water
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of water-related terms used
supplies, and (3) estimating discharges of pesticides, plant
inthesetestmethodsrefertoTerminologiesD1129andD4410.
nutrients, and heavy metals transported on surfaces or inside
sediment particles.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 dissolved solids—soluble constituents in water. The
5. Reagents and Materials
quantityisdeterminedbyevaporatingawatersampletovisible
5.1 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
dryness at a temperature slightly below boiling. The tempera-
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined
ture is then raised to 105°C and held for about 2 h. This is
by Type III of Specification D1193.
followed by cooling in a desiccator and weighing the residue.
5.1.1 Requirementscanusuallybemetbypassingtapwater
3.2.2 fluvial sediment—particles that are (a) derived from
throughamixedcation-anionexchangeresinorbydistillation.
rocks or biological materials and (b) transported by flowing
water.
6. Sampling
3.2.3 sediment concentration—(a) the ratio of the mass of
6.1 Flows and concentrations in river cross sections are
dry sediment in a water-sediment mixture to the mass of the
usually unsteady; consequently, in a strict sense, samples
mixture or (b) the ratio of the mass of dry sediment in a
represent conditions only at the time and location of sample
water-sediment mixture to the volume of the mixture. As
collection.
indicated by Table 1, the two ratios differ except at concentra-
6.2 A sample may consist of a single container of a
tions less than 8000 mg/L.
water-sediment mixtures collected at (1) a specific point in a
3.2.4 supernate—clear, overlying liquid in a sediment
river cross section, (2) a specific vertical in a cross section (a
sample.
depth-integrated sample), or (3) several verticals in a cross-
3.2.5 suspended sediment—sedimentsupportedbyturbulent
section. If the verticals are equally spaced and the sample is
currents in flowing water or by Brownian movement.
collected at equal transit rates, it is referred to as an EWI
sample.TheacronymEWI(equal-width-increment)issynony-
3.2.6 tare—weights of empty containers used in analysis
mous with ETR (equal-transit-rate) which appears in many
procedure.
older reports.Asample may also consist of several containers
4. Significance and Use filled at different points or verticals in a cross-section. If the
containers are filled at centroids of equal discharge in a cross
4.1 Suspended-sediment samples contain particles with a
section, they are referred to as EDI samples. Details on
widevarietyofphysicalcharacteristics.Bypresentingalternate
sampling are given in Guide D4411.
7. Sample Handling
TABLE 1 Factors for Conversion of Sediment Concentration in
3 A
Parts per Million (ppm) to Grams per Cubic Metre (g/m ) or
7.1 When samples arrive at the laboratory, group them
Milligrams per Litre (mg/L)
according to gaging stations and then arrange each group in
Range of Range of Range of
Multiply Multiply Multiply
chronological order according to times of sample collection.
Concentration, Concentration, Concentration,
By By By
1000 ppm 1000 ppm 1000 ppm
Separate the samples to be analyzed for concentration from
0–7.95 1.00 153–165 1.11 362–380 1.30
those to be analyzed for particle-size distribution or other
8.0–23.7 1.01 166–178 1.12 381–398 1.32
properties. A data sheet should then be completed for each
23.8–39.1 1.02 179–191 1.13 399–416 1.34
concentration sample. Examples of three commonly used
39.2–54.3 1.03 192–209 1.14 417–434 1.36
54.4–69.2 1.04 210–233 1.16 435–451 1.38
forms are shown on Fig. 1. Expanded notes can be written on
69.3–83.7 1.05 234–256 1.18 452–467 1.40
the front of the forms in spaces reserved for other bottles or, if
83.8–97.9 1.06 257–278 1.20 468–483 1.42
evenmorespaceisneeded,remarkscanbewrittenontheback
98.0–111 1.07 279–300 1.22 484–498 1.44
112–125 1.08 301–321 1.24 499–513 1.46
of the forms along with reference numbers keyed to the
126–139 1.09 322–341 1.26 514–528 1.48
appropriate bottles.
140–152 1.10 342–361 1.28 529–542 1.50
A
7.2 Check each sample for: (1) loss of water caused by
Based on water density of 1.000 g/mL and specific gravity of sediment of 2.65.
The following equation also applies:†
leakage or evaporation, (2) loss of sediment which is some-
C 5 C/ 1.0 2 C 622 3 10
s d timesrevealedbythepresenceofparticlesontheoutsideofthe
sample bottle, (3) accuracy of sample-identification notes, and
where:
(4)acontainertarewhichisusuallyetchedonthebottle.Enter
C = sediment concentration, mg/L, and
all appropriate notes, observations, and data on the laboratory
C = sediment concentration, ppm.
form.Beparticularlycarefultoentertheetchedtarereadingon
† Table Footnote A was corrected editorially.
the form under the heading Weight of Sample—Tare.
´1
D3977 − 97 (2013)
FIG. 1 Alternate Forms for Recording Field and Laboratory Data for Sediment Samples
7.3 Removethebottlecapsthenweigheachcontaineralong 10. Apparatus
with its water-sediment mixture to the nearest 0.5 g. Record
10.1 Evaporating Dishes or Beakers—Preweighed contain-
each reading on the corresponding bottle and on the laboratory
ers of porcelain or glass with capacities of about 150 mL are
form under the heading Weight of Sample—Gross.
needed for holding the sediment and water during drying.
7.4 Replace the caps then store the samples in a cool, dark
10.2 Vacuum System, trapped to prevent sample carry-over
place to minimize microbiological and algal growth. Inspect
to the vacuum source during removal of supernate.
the bottles frequently; if the sediment does not settle within
10.3 Drying Oven, equipped with a 90 to 120°C thermostat
about 14 days, useTest Method B (filtration procedure) for the
isneededtocontroltemperatureswhileevaporatingwaterfrom
analysis. If settling proceeds at an acceptably rapid rate, use
thesediment.Agravity-convectiontypeovenispreferredbuta
Test Methods A, B, or C.
mechanically ventilated (forced draft) style can be used if
TEST METHOD A—EVAPORATION air-flow rates are low.
10.4 Desiccator, for preventing air-borne moisture from
8. Scope
collecting in the sediment specimens while they are cooling.
8.1 This test method can be used only with sediments that
10.5 Laboratory Balance,top-loadingtypewitharesolution
settle under the influence of gravity. This test method is
of 0.0001 g and a capacity of 150 g is needed for weighing the
applicabletosamplesrangingfrom0.2to20Linvolume,from
dry sediments.
5 to 550000 mg/L in sediment concentration, and having less
10.6 Laboratory Balance,top-loadingtypewitharesolution
than 35000 mg/L in dissolved-solid concentration.
of 0.1 g and a capacity of about 4000 g is needed for weighing
9. Summary of Test Method
sample bottles containing water and sediment.
9.1 After the sediment has settled, most of the supernatant
11. Procedure
water is poured or siphoned away. The volume of water-
sediment mixture remaining is measured so that a dissolved- 11.1 After the sediment has settled, decant or vacuum away
solids correction can be applied later. The sediment is then asmuchsupernateaspossiblewithoutdisturbingthesediment.
dried and weighed. Sediment concentration is calculated in This can be accomplished by connecting a J-shaped plastic,
accordance with Section 12. copper, or glass tube to the vacuum line and lowering the tube
´1
D3977 − 97 (2013)
untilthecurvedsectionisnearthebottomofthesamplebottle. InEq1, DS/Vaistheconcentrationofdissolvedsolidsinthe
Supernateenterstheupward-facingendofthetubeandthereby supernate (see 11.7). This concentration is multiplied by Vsto
flows away without creating currents and eddies in the sedi-
obtain the dissolved-solids weight in the dry sediment (see
mentlayer.Savethesupernateforadissolved-solidscorrection
11.5). Enter the value of DScon the laboratory form under the
factor to be determined later.
heading D. S. Corr.
11.2 After decanting, about 40 to 70 mL of water-sediment
12.2 Subtract the value of DSc in 12.1 from the net weight
mixture should be left. To determine the exact volume, place
determined in 11.5. Record the difference on the laboratory
the sample bottle on a level support then mark the liquid
form under the second heading labeled Weight of Sediment—
surfaceantheoutsideofthebottle.Usewatertowashallofthe
Net. Notice each laboratory form has two rows with this
sedimentandsupernateintoanevaporatingdish,thenrefillthe
heading.
sample bottle to the mark with water from a small graduate.
Record the volume added to the sample bottle on the sample- 12.3 Divide the Net Weight of Sediment (second entry) by
data form.
the Net Weight of Sample. Both weights must be in the same
units, preferably grams. Multiply the quotient by one million,
11.3 Place the evaporating dish in the oven with the
then enter the result under the heading Conc. (ppm) on the
temperature set slightly below boiling. Maintain this tempera-
laboratory form.
tureuntilallvisibletracesofwaterhaveevaporated.Thenraise
and hold the temperature at 105°C for about 2 h.
12.4 Modern practice calls for reporting sediment concen-
11.4 Transferthedishfromtheoventothedesiccator;allow
trations in milligrams per litre instead of ppm as determined in
the sediment to cool to room temperature.
...
Questions, Comments and Discussion
Ask us and Technical Secretary will try to provide an answer. You can facilitate discussion about the standard in here.