ASTM D5268-07
(Specification)Standard Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes
Standard Specification for Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes
ABSTRACT
This specification covers the physical evaluation of an inorganic soil containing a limited amount of organic material, relative to its use as topsoil for landscaping and horticultural purposes in construction. Though the presence of the correct nutrients and pH status in the soil is necessary for healthy plant growth, this specification, however, does not address either the determination or the availability of such properties. When physically evaluating soil relative to its suitability to support plant growth (primarily grasses), tests must be made to determine the presence and the amount of organic matter, inorganic matter (sand, silt, and clay), and deleterious materials (rocks, gravel, slag, cinder, roots, and sod). The apparatuses required here are sieves and containers, balances, and a muffle furnace.
SCOPE
1.1 This specification covers a physical evaluation of an inorganic soil containing a limited amount of organic material, relative to its use as a topsoil for horticultural purposes in construction. For classification, a full agricultural textural classification may be used.
1.2 The presence in the soil of the correct nutrients and pH status is necessary for healthy plant growth. This specification does not, however, cover a determination of the nutrients, nor their availability. Note 1 - The nutrient content of topsoil is important and the nutrients usually evaluated are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Nutrient deficiencies may be corrected using organic or inorganic fertilizers. Excess soluble salts should be examined as to their desirability. The acidity or alkalinity of the soil is also important. Excess acidity may be corrected by the application of lime. Excess alkalinity may be corrected by the application of sulfur or other suitable acidifying compounds. The latter item, in addition to lowering pH, also could be considered as an aggregate when considering the particle size distribution.
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.
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.
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Designation:D5268 −07
StandardSpecification for
1
Topsoil Used for Landscaping Purposes
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D5268; 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* D1140 Test Methods for Amount of Material in Soils Finer
than No. 200 (75-µm) Sieve
1.1 This specification covers a physical evaluation of an
D2974 Test Methods for Moisture,Ash, and Organic Matter
inorganic soil containing a limited amount of organic material,
of Peat and Other Organic Soils
relative to its use as a topsoil for horticultural purposes in
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
construction. For classification, a full agricultural textural
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
classification may be used.
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
1.2 The presence in the soil of the correct nutrients and pH
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
status is necessary for healthy plant growth. This specification
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
does not, however, cover a determination of the nutrients, nor
Construction Materials Testing
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their availability.
D4972 Test Method for pH of Soils
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
NOTE 1—The nutrient content of topsoil is important and the nutrients
usually evaluated are nitrogen, phosphate, and potassium. Nutrient defi-
Data
ciencies may be corrected using organic or inorganic fertilizers. Excess
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
soluble salts should be examined as to their desirability. The acidity or
Sieves
alkalinity of the soil is also important. Excess acidity may be corrected by
the application of lime. Excess alkalinity may be corrected by the
3. Terminology
application of sulfur or other suitable acidifying compounds. The latter
item, in addition to lowering pH, also could be considered as an aggregate
3.1 Description of Term Specific to This Standard:
when considering the particle size distribution.
3.1.1 topsoil—usually the original surface layer of grassland
1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
or cultivated land. It does not generally include soil from
standard.
peatlands or other special areas, such as land disturbed by
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
industrial activity. Topsoil is usually a darker shade of brown,
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
grey, or red than the subsoil that lies immediately beneath it,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
because it contains organic matter intimately mixed with the
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
mineral matter. Topsoil tends to be more friable and pervious
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. than inorganic soils.
2. Referenced Documents
4. Significance and Use
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2.1 ASTM Standards:
4.1 When physically evaluating a soil, relative to its suit-
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
ability to support plant growth (primarily grasses), tests must
Fluids
be made to determine the presence and the amount of organic
matter, inorganic matter (sand, silt and clay), and deleterious
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
materials.
and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a
Medium for Plant Growth. 4.2 Typical general ranges of soil content are presented in
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2007. Published October 2007. Originally
Table 1. Soils falling within these ranges will generally form a
approved in 1992. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D5268 – 02. DOI:
suitable topsoil. It must, however, be recognized that in some
10.1520/D5268-07.
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geographic regions, concurrence with the values of Table 1
Nutrient testing procedures are found in the state Agricultural Experiment
Station recommendations from the state within which the landscape is located,
would be most difficult. In such cases, locally acceptable
“Methods of Soil Analysis” Editor-in-Chief: C. A. Black, Agronomy No. 9, Vol 2,
specifications would need to be developed.
American Society ofAgronomy, Inc., Madison, WI, and Hesse, P. R., A Textbook of
Soil Chemical Analysis , Chemical Publishing Co., New York, NY, 1972.
4.3 The quality of the result produced by this standard is
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For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it,
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and the suit
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