ASTM D1987-22

Standard Test Method for Biological Clogging of Geotextile, Drainage Geocomposites, or Soil/Geotextile Filters

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is performance oriented for determining if, and to what degree, different liquids create biological activity on geotextile filters thereby reducing their flow capability. The use of the method is primarily oriented toward landfill leachates but can be performed with any liquid coming from a particular site or synthesized from a predetermined mixture of biological microorganisms.  
5.2 The test can be used to compare the flow capability of different types of geotextiles, drainage geocomposite, or soil/geotextile combinations.  
5.3 This test will usually take considerable time, for example, up to 1000 h, for the biological activity to initiate, grow, and reach an equilibrium condition. The curves resulting from the test are intended to indicate the in-situ behavior of a geotextile or soil/geotextile filter.  
5.4 The test specimen can be incubated under unsaturated drained conditions between readings, or kept saturated at all times. The first case allows for air penetration into the flow column and thus aerobic conditions. The second case can result in the absence of air; thus it may simulate anaerobic conditions.  
5.5 The flow rate can be determined using either a constant head test procedure or on the basis of a falling head test procedure. In either case, the flow column containing the geotextile or soil/geotextile is the same; only the head control devices change.
Note 1: It has been found that once biological clogging initiates, constant head tests often pass inadequate quantities of liquid to accurately measure. It thus becomes necessary to use falling head tests, which can be measured based on time of movement of a relatively small quantity of liquid between two designated points on a clear plastic standpipe.  
5.6 If the establishment of an unacceptably high degree of clogging is seen in the flow rate curves, the device allows for back flushing with water or with water containing a biocide.  
5.7 The resulting flow rate curves ar...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method is used to determine the potential for, and relative degree of, biological growth which can accumulate on geotextile, drainage geocomposites, or geotextile/soil filters.  
1.2 This test method uses the measurement of flow rates over an extended period of time to determine the amount of clogging.  
1.3 This test method can be adapted for unsaturated as well as saturated conditions.  
1.4 This test method can use constant head or falling head measurement techniques.  
1.5 This test method can also be used to give an indication as to the possibility of back flushing, biocide treatment, or both, for remediation purposes if biological clogging does occur.  
1.6 The values in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values provided in inch-pound units are for information only.  
1.7 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.  
1.8 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: 59.080.70 - Geotextiles
• Technical Committee: D35 - Geosynthetics
• Drafting Committee: D35.02 - Endurance Properties

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D1776/D1776M-20 - Standard Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
• Effective Date: 01-Feb-2020
• Refers: ASTM D4354-12(2020) - Standard Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020

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: D1987 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Biological Clogging of Geotextile, Drainage Geocomposites,
1
or Soil/Geotextile Filters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1987; 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 2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This test method is used to determine the potential for,
D1776/D1776MPractice for Conditioning and Testing Tex-
andrelativedegreeof,biologicalgrowthwhichcanaccumulate
tiles
ongeotextile,drainagegeocomposites,orgeotextile/soilfilters.
D4354Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled
1.2 This test method uses the measurement of flow rates
Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
over an extended period of time to determine the amount of
D4439Terminology for Geosynthetics
clogging.
D4491/D4491MTest Methods for Water Permeability of
1.3 This test method can be adapted for unsaturated as well Geotextiles by Permittivity
D5101Test Method for Measuring the Filtration Compat-
as saturated conditions.
ibility of Soil-Geotextile Systems
1.4 This test method can use constant head or falling head
E691Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to
measurement techniques.
Determine the Precision of a Test Method
1.5 This test method can also be used to give an indication G22Practice for Determining Resistance of Plastics to
3
as to the possibility of back flushing, biocide treatment, or
Bacteria (Withdrawn 2002)
both, for remediation purposes if biological clogging does
occur.
3. Terminology
3.1 Please consult Terminology D4439 for definitions re-
1.6 ThevaluesinSIunitsaretoberegardedasthestandard.
lated to this test method.
The values provided in inch-pound units are for information
only.
4. Summary of Test Method
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.1 Ageotextilefilter,drainagegeocomposite,orgeotextile/
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
soilfiltercompositespecimenispositionedinaflowcolumnso
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
that a designated liquid flows through it under either constant
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
or falling head conditions.
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.1.1 The designated liquid might contain microorganisms
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
from which biological growth can occur.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
4.2 Flow rate is measured over time, converted to either
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
permittivity or permeability, and reported accordingly.
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
4.2.1 Betweenreadings,thetestspecimencanbeallowedto
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
be in either unsaturated or saturated conditions.
1 2
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endur- contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
ance Properties. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Current edition approved May 1, 2022. Published June 2022. Originally the ASTM website.
3
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D1987–18. DOI: The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
10.1520/D1987-22. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1987 − 22
4.2.2 Back flushing can be introduced from the direction
opposite to the intended flow direction and evaluated accord-
ingly.
4.2.3 Biocide can be introduced with the back flushing
liquid, or introduced within the test specimen, and evaluated
accordingly.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This test method is performance oriented for determin-
ing if, and to what degree, different liquids create biological
activity on geotextile filters thereby reducing their flow capa-
bility. The use of the method is primarily oriented toward
landfill leachates but can be performed with any liquid coming
from a particular site or synthesized from a predetermined
mixture of biological microorganisms.
5.2 The test
...

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: D1987 − 18 D1987 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Biological Clogging of Geotextile Geotextile, Drainage
1
Geocomposites, or Soil/Geotextile Filters
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1987; 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 test method is used to determine the potential for, and relative degree of, biological growth which can accumulate on
geotextile geotextile, drainage geocomposites, or geotextile/soil filters.
1.2 This test method uses the measurement of flow rates over an extended period of time to determine the amount of clogging.
1.3 This test method can be adapted for nonsaturatedunsaturated as well as saturated conditions.
1.4 This test method can use constant head or falling head measurement techniques.
1.5 This test method can also be used to give an indication as to the possibility of backflushing, back flushing, biocide treatment,
or both, for remediation purposes if biological clogging does occur.
1.6 The values in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values provided in inch-pound units are for information only.
1.7 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.
1.8 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:
D123 Terminology Relating to Textiles
D1776D1776/D1776M Practice for Conditioning and Testing Textiles
D4354 Practice for Sampling of Geosynthetics and Rolled Erosion Control Products (RECPs) for Testing
D4439 Terminology for Geosynthetics
D4491D4491/D4491M Test Methods for Water Permeability of Geotextiles by Permittivity
D5101 Test Method for Measuring the Filtration Compatibility of Soil-Geotextile Systems
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D35 on Geosynthetics and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D35.02 on Endurance Properties.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2018May 1, 2022. Published February 2018June 2022. Originally approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 20162018 as
D1987 – 07 (2016).D1987 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/D1987-18.10.1520/D1987-22.
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D1987 − 22
E691 Practice for Conducting an Interlaboratory Study to Determine the Precision of a Test Method
3
G22 Practice for Determining Resistance of Plastics to Bacteria (Withdrawn 2002)
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 aerobic, n—a condition in which a measurable volume of air is present in the incubation chamber or system.
3.1.1.1 Discussion—
In geotextiles, this condition can potentially contribute to the growth of microorganisms.
3.1.2 anaerobic, n—a condition in which no measurable volume of air is present in the incubation chamber or system.
3.1.2.1 Discussion—
In geotextiles, this condition cannot contribute to the growth of microorganisms.
3.1.3 back flushing, n—a process by which liquid is forced in the reverse direction to the flow direction.
3.1.3.1 Discussion—
In other drainage application areas, this process is commonly used to free clogged drainage systems of materials that impede the
intended direction of flow.
3.1.4 biocide, n—a chemical used to kill bacteria and other microorganisms.
3.1.5 geotextile, n—a permeable geosynthetic comprised solely of textiles.
3.1.6 permeability, n—the rate of flow of a liquid under a differential pressure through a material.
3.1.6.1 Discussion—
In geotextiles, permeability refers to hydraulic conductivity.
−1
3.1.7 permit
...