ASTM F1687-22

Standard Guide for Terminology and Indices to Describe Oiling Conditions on Shorelines and Other Terrain

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 In order to ensure data consistency, it is important to use standardized terminology and definitions in describing oiling conditions (1)3. This guide provides a template for that purpose.  
4.2 Data on oiling conditions at a shoreline are needed to provide an accurate perspective of the nature and scale of the oiling problem and to facilitate spill-response planning and decision making. Data on oiling conditions would be used in assessing the need for cleanup actions, selecting the most appropriate response technique(s), determining priorities for cleanup, and evaluating the endpoint of cleanup activities.(2-3)  
4.3 Mechanisms by which data are collected can vary (see Guide F1686). They can include aerial video surveys or ground-level assessment surveys. The composition and responsibility of the survey team will depend on the response organization and objectives. The magnitude and type of data sets collected can likewise vary with the nature of the spill and operational needs.  
4.4 Consistent data sets (observations and measurements) on shoreline oiling conditions are essential within any one spill in order to compare the data between different sites or observers, and to compare the data against existing benchmarks or criteria that have been developed to rate the nature or severity of the oiling. To the extent possible, consistency is also desirable between different spills, in order to benefit from previous experiences and cleanup decisions.  
4.5 It is recognized that some modifications may be appropriate based on local or regional geographic conditions or upon the specific character of the stranded oil.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the standardized terminology and types of observational data and indices appropriate to describe the quantity, nature, and distribution of oil and physical oiling conditions on shorelines that have been contaminated by an oil spill.  
1.2 This guide does not address the mechanisms and field procedures by which the necessary data are gathered; nor does it address terminology used to describe the cultural resource or ecological character of oiled shorelines, spill monitoring, or cleanup techniques.  
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-Aug-2022
• ICS: 13.300 - Protection against dangerous goods
• Technical Committee: F20 - Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response
• Drafting Committee: F20.17 - Shoreline and Inland Countermeasures

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: F1687 − 22
Standard Guide for
Terminology and Indices to Describe Oiling Conditions on
1
Shorelines and Other Terrain
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1687; 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 3. Terminology
1.1 This guide covers the standardized terminology and 3.1 Definitions:
types of observational data and indices appropriate to describe
3.1.1 asphalt pavement—a naturally formed cohesive mix-
the quantity, nature, and distribution of oil and physical oiling
ture of weathered oil and sediments. Sediments in the mixture
conditionsonshorelinesthathavebeencontaminatedbyanoil
are usually in the sand/granule/pebble size range. In
spill.
appearance, natural asphalt pavement may resemble the mix-
ture artificially created to surface roads.
1.2 This guide does not address the mechanisms and field
procedures by which the necessary data are gathered; nor does
3.1.2 habitat types and zones—the land-water interface is
itaddressterminologyusedtodescribetheculturalresourceor typically subdivided into across-shore zones. Dry land terrain
ecological character of oiled shorelines, spill monitoring, or
is typically distinguished by climate, altitude, and species.
cleanup techniques. From Guide F2204/F2204M;
3.1.2.1 Discussion—Marine and estuarine shorelines, river
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
banks, and lake shores will be collectively referred to as
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
shorelines, shores, or shore-zones.
standard.
3.1.2.2 Discussion—Shore types include a range of imper-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
meable (bedrock, ice, and manmade structures), permeable
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
(flats, beaches, and manmade), and coastal wetland (marshes,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
mangroves,) habitats.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.2.3 Discussion—Othernon-shoreline,inlandhabitatsin-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
cludewetlands(pond,fen,bog,swamp,tundra,andshrub)and
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
drier terrains (grassland, desert, forests), and will be collec-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
tively referred to as either wetlands or terrains, respectively
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Tidal Environments
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
Lower Intertidal Zone—the lower approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Mid Intertidal Zone—the middle approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. Upper Intertidal Zone—the upper approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Supra-Tidal Zone—the area above the mean high tide that occasionally
experiences wave activity; also known as the splash zone
2. Referenced Documents
2
Non-Tidal Waters and Lake Environments
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Lower Swash Zone—the area between the mean annual water level and the
F1686Guide for Surveys to Document and Assess Oiling
lowest annual water level, the lower approximate one-half of the zone of
Conditions
wave activity
Upper Swash Zone—the area between the highest annual water level and the
F2204/F2204MGuide for Describing Shoreline and Inland
mean annual water level; the upper approximate one-half of the zone of
Response Techniques
wave activity
Supra-Swash Zone—the area above the highest annual water level that
occasionally experiences wave activity, for example, during a surge or
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
a storm event
Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F20.17 on Shoreline and Inland Countermeasures. River Environments
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally Lower Bank—exposed only during low flow conditions
Midstream—areas exposed in a channel that are separated from the river bank
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2016 as F1687–16. DOI:
Upper Bank—under water only during bank-full river stage
10.1520/F1687-22
2
Overbank—flood plain-inundated only by over-bank flow during
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
flood conditions
contact ASTM Customer Service
...

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: F1687 − 16 F1687 − 22
Standard Guide for
Terminology and Indices to Describe Oiling Conditions on
1
Shorelines and Other Terrain
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1687; 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 guide covers the standardized terminology and types of observational data and indices appropriate to describe the
quantity, nature, and distribution of oil and physical oiling conditions on shorelines that have been contaminated by an oil spill.
1.2 This guide does not address the mechanisms and field procedures by which the necessary data are gathered; nor does it address
terminology used to describe the cultural resource or ecological character of oiled shorelines, spill monitoring, or cleanup
techniques.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.4 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.
1.5 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:
F1686 Guide for Surveys to Document and Assess Oiling Conditions
F2202F2204/F2204M Guide for Describing Shoreline and Inland Response Techniques
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 asphalt pavement—a naturally formed cohesive mixture of weathered oil and sediments. Sediments in the mixture are
usually in the sand/granule/pebble size range. In appearance, natural asphalt pavement may resemble the mixture artificially
created to surface roads.
3.1.2 habitat types and zones—the land-water interface is typically subdivided into across-shore zones. Dry land terrain is typically
distinguished by climate, altitude, and species. From Guide F2204F2204/F2204M;
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F20.17
on Shoreline and Inland Countermeasures.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2016Sept. 1, 2022. Published February 2016October 2022. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20092016 as
F1687 – 09.F1687 – 16. DOI: 10.1520/F1687-1610.1520/F1687-22
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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F1687 − 22
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
Marine and estuarine shorelines, river banks, and lake shores will be collectively referred to as shorelines, shores, or shore-zones.
3.1.2.2 Discussion—
Shore types include a range of impermeable (bedrock, ice, and manmade structures), permeable (flats, beaches, and manmade), and
coastal wetland (marshes, mangroves,) habitats.
3.1.2.3 Discussion—
Other non-shoreline, inland habitats include wetlands (pond, fen, bog, swamp, tundra, and shrub) and drier terrains (grassland,
desert, forests), and will be collectively referred to as either wetlands or terrains, respectively
Tidal Environments
Lower Intertidal Zone—the lower approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Mid Intertidal Zone—the middle approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Upper Intertidal Zone—the upper approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Supra-Tidal Zone—the area above the mean high tide that occasionally
experiences wave activity; also known as the splash zone
Non-Tidal Waters and Lake Environments
Lower Swash Zone—the area between the mean annual water level and the
lowest annual water level, the lower approximate one-half of the zone of
wave activity
Upper Swash Zone—the area
...