ASTM D6982-22

Standard Practice for Detecting Hot Spots Using Point-Net (Grid) Search Patterns

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 Search sampling strategies have found wide utility in geologic exploration where drilling is required to detect subsurface mineral deposits, such as when drilling for oil and gas. Using such strategies to search for buried wastes and subsurface contaminants, including volatile organic compounds, is a logical extension of these strategies.  
4.2 Systematic sampling strategies are often the most cost-effective method for searching for hot spots.  
4.3 This practice may be used to determine the risk of missing a hot spot of specified size and shape given a specified sampling pattern and sampling density.  
4.4 This practice may be used to determine the smallest hot spot that can be detected with a specified probability and given sampling density.  
4.5 This practice may be used to select the optimum grid sampling strategy (that is, sampling pattern and density) for a specified risk of not detecting a hot spot.  
4.6 By using the algorithms given in this practice, one can balance the cost of sampling versus the risk of missing a hot spot.  
4.7 Search sampling patterns may also be used to optimize the locations of additional groundwater monitoring wells or vadose zone monitoring devices.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice provides equations and nomographs, and a reference to a computer program, for calculating probabilities of detecting hot spots (that is, localized areas of soil or groundwater contamination) using point-net (that is, grid) search patterns. Hot spots, more generally referred to as targets, are presumed to be invisible on the ground surface. Hot spots may include former surface impoundments and waste disposal pits, as well as contaminant plumes in groundwater or the vadose zone.  
1.2 For purposes of calculating detection probabilities, hot spots or buried contaminants are presumed to be elliptically shaped when projected vertically to the ground surface, and search patterns are square, rectangular, or rhombic. Assumptions about the size and shape of suspected hot spots are the primary limitations of this practice, and must be judged by historical information. A further limitation is that hot spot boundaries are usually not clear and distinct.  
1.3 In general, this practice should not be used in lieu of surface geophysical methods for detecting buried objects, including underground utilities, where such buried objects can be detected by these methods (see Guide D6429).  
1.4 Search sampling would normally be conducted during preliminary investigations of hazardous waste sites or hazardous waste management facilities (see Guide D5730). Sampling may be conducted by drilling or by direct-push methods. In contrast, guidance on sampling for the purpose of making statistical inferences about population characteristics (for example, contaminant concentrations) can be found in Guide D6311.  
1.5 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.  
1.6 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: 30-Apr-2022
• ICS: 13.020.99 - Other standards related to environmental protection
• Technical Committee: D34 - Waste Management
• Drafting Committee: D34.01.01 - Planning for Sampling

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: D6982 − 22
Standard Practice for
1
Detecting Hot Spots Using Point-Net (Grid) Search Patterns
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6982; 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 1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 Thispracticeprovidesequationsandnomographs,anda
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
reference to a computer program, for calculating probabilities
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
of detecting hot spots (that is, localized areas of soil or
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
groundwater contamination) using point-net (that is, grid)
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
searchpatterns.Hotspots,moregenerallyreferredtoastargets,
are presumed to be invisible on the ground surface. Hot spots
2. Referenced Documents
may include former surface impoundments and waste disposal
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
pits, as well as contaminant plumes in groundwater or the
D5730Guide for Site Characterization for Environmental
vadose zone.
Purposes With Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone
3
1.2 For purposes of calculating detection probabilities, hot
and Groundwater (Withdrawn 2013)
spots or buried contaminants are presumed to be elliptically
D6051Guide for Composite Sampling and Field Subsam-
shaped when projected vertically to the ground surface, and
pling for Environmental Waste Management Activities
search patterns are square, rectangular, or rhombic. Assump-
D6311Guide for Generation of Environmental Data Related
tions about the size and shape of suspected hot spots are the
toWaste ManagementActivities: Selection and Optimiza-
primary limitations of this practice, and must be judged by
tion of Sampling Design
historical information. A further limitation is that hot spot
D6429Guide for Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
boundaries are usually not clear and distinct.
3. Terminology
1.3 In general, this practice should not be used in lieu of
3.1 Definitions:
surface geophysical methods for detecting buried objects,
3.1.1 hot spot—a localized area of soil or groundwater
including underground utilities, where such buried objects can
contamination.
be detected by these methods (see Guide D6429).
3.1.1.1 Discussion—A hot spot may be considered as a
1.4 Search sampling would normally be conducted during
discretevolumeofburiedwasteorcontaminatedsoilwherethe
preliminary investigations of hazardous waste sites or hazard-
concentration of a contaminant of interest exceeds some
ous waste management facilities (see Guide D5730). Sampling
prespecified threshold value. Although hot spots are more
may be conducted by drilling or by direct-push methods. In
likely to have variable sizes and shapes and not have clear and
contrast, guidance on sampling for the purpose of making
distinct boundaries, ellipitically shaped hot spots or targets
statistical inferences about population characteristics (for
with well-defined edges are assumed for the purposes of
example, contaminant concentrations) can be found in Guide
calculating detection probabilities. The assumption that hot
D6311.
spots have elliptical shapes is not inconsistent with known
historical patterns of contaminant distribution.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3.1.2 sampling density—the number of soil borings (that is,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sampling points) per unit area.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.3 semi-major axis, a—one half the length of the long
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
axis of an ellipse. For a circle, this distance is simply the
radius.
1 2
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.01 on contactASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. ForAnnual Book ofASTM
Planning for Sampling. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 1, 2022. Published May 2022. Originally theASTM website.
3
approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D6982–09 (2016). The last approved version of th
...

This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6982 − 09 (Reapproved 2016) D6982 − 22
Standard Practice for
1
Detecting Hot Spots Using Point-Net (Grid) Search Patterns
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6982; 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
1.1 This practice provides equations and nomographs, and a reference to a computer program, for calculating probabilities of
detecting hot spots (that is, localized areas of soil or groundwater contamination) using point-net (that is, grid) search patterns. Hot
spots, more generally referred to as targets, are presumed to be invisible on the ground surface. Hot spots may include former
surface impoundments and waste disposal pits, as well as contaminant plumes in ground water groundwater or the vadose zone.
1.2 For purposes of calculating detection probabilities, hot spots or buried contaminants are presumed to be elliptically shaped
when projected vertically to the ground surface, and search patterns are square, rectangular, or rhombic. Assumptions about the
size and shape of suspected hot spots are the primary limitations of this practice, and must be judged by historical information.
A further limitation is that hot spot boundaries are usually not clear and distinct.
1.3 In general, this practice should not be used in lieu of surface geophysical methods for detecting buried objects, including
underground utilities, where such buried objects can be detected by these methods (see Guide D6429).
1.4 Search sampling would normally be conducted during preliminary investigations of hazardous waste sites or hazardous waste
management facilities (see Guide D5730). Sampling may be conducted by drilling or by direct-push methods. In contrast, guidance
on sampling for the purpose of making statistical inferences about population characteristics (for example, contaminant
concentrations) can be found in Guide D6311.
1.5 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.6 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.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D5730 Guide for Site Characterization for Environmental Purposes With Emphasis on Soil, Rock, the Vadose Zone and
3
Groundwater (Withdrawn 2013)
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.01 on Planning for
Sampling.
Current edition approved May 1, 2016May 1, 2022. Published May 2016May 2022. Originally approved in 2003. Last previous edition approved in 20092016 as
D6982 – 09.D6982 – 09 (2016). DOI: 10.1520/D6982-16.10.1520/D6982-22.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Standards
volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D6982 − 22
D6051 Guide for Composite Sampling and Field Subsampling for Environmental Waste Management Activities
D6311 Guide for Generation of Environmental Data Related to Waste Management Activities: Selection and Optimization of
Sampling Design
D6429 Guide for Selecting Surface Geophysical Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 hot spot—a localized area of soil or groundwater contamination.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
A hot spot may be considered as a discrete volume of buried waste or contaminated soil where the concentration of a contaminant
of interest exceeds some prespecified threshold value. Although hot spots are more likely to have variable sizes and shapes and
not have cl
...