ASTM D2973-16

Standard Test Method for Total Nitrogen in Peat Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Nitrogen content is important as it is one of the primary plant food elements necessary for plant growth. Nitrogen content of peat is necessary to make sure an adequate, but not excessive amount of fertility is supplied to the target plant. Nitrogen is present in peat as organic nitrogen, and therefore, does not release nitrogen to plants as quickly as chemical fertilizers. However, nitrogen from peat continues to be released for several years as the organic matter decomposes.
Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a chemical test method for the determination of the mass percent of nitrogen in peat material.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.  
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.  
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Jun-2016
• ICS: 65.080 - Fertilizers
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.22 - Media for Plant Growth

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
Designation: D2973 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Total Nitrogen in Peat Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2973; 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* D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.1 This test method covers a chemical test method for the
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
determination of the mass percent of nitrogen in peat material.
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
Construction Materials Testing
standard.
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
Data
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
Ventilation Ovens
Practice D6026.
1.3.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
3. Terminology
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the 3.1 Definitions:
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce- 3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms in this
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for standard, refer to Terminology D653.
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
4. Summary of Test Method
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be 4.1 In this method, the nitrogen is converted into ammo-
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
nium salts by destructive digestion of the specimen with a hot,
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis catalyzed mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and potassium
methods for engineering design.
sulfate. These salts are subsequently decomposed in a hot
alkaline solution from which the ammonia is recovered by
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
distillation and finally determined by acidimetric titration.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
5. Significance and Use
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
5.1 Nitrogen content is important as it is one of the primary
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
plant food elements necessary for plant growth. Nitrogen
2. Referenced Documents content of peat is necessary to make sure an adequate, but not
2 excessive amount of fertility is supplied to the target plant.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Nitrogen is present in peat as organic nitrogen, and therefore,
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
does not release nitrogen to plants as quickly as chemical
Fluids
fertilizers. However, nitrogen from peat continues to be re-
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
leased for several years as the organic matter decomposes.
D2974 Test Methods for Moisture,Ash, and Organic Matter
of Peat and Other Organic Soils
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
1 criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure
for Plant Growth.
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
Current edition approved July 1, 2016. Published July 2016. Originally approved
ɛ1
in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2010 as D2973–10 . DOI: 10.1520/ provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
D2973-16.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or 6. Apparatus
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
6.1 For Digestion—Use Kjeldahl flasks of hard, moderately
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. thick, well-annealed glass with total capacity of about 800 mL.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Dr
...

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.
´1
Designation: D2973 − 10 D2973 − 16
Standard Test Method for
1
Total Nitrogen in Peat Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2973; 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
ε NOTE—Editorially corrected the jurisdiction in March 2011.
1. Scope*
1.1 This test method covers a chemical test method for the determination of the weightmass percent of nitrogen in peat material.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the industry
standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not
consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives;
and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations.
It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.(See Practice D3740)
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D2974 Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and Construction
Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-Ventilation Ovens
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For common definitions of common technical terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 In this procedure,method, the nitrogen is converted into ammonium salts by destructive digestion of the samplespecimen
with a hot, catalyzed mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and potassium sulfate. These salts are subsequently decomposed in a
hot alkaline solution from which the ammonia is recovered by distillation and finally determined by acidimetric titration.
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Medium for
Plant Growth.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010July 1, 2016. Published November 2010July 2016. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as
ɛ1
D2973–71(2004). Withdrawn in 2009 and reinstated in 2010 as D2973–10 – 10. DOI: 10.1520/D2973-10E01. DOI: 10.1520/D2973-16.
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.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

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D2973 − 16
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Nitrogen content is important as it is one of the primary plant food elements necessary for plant growth. Nitrogen is content
of peat is necessary to make sure an adequate, but not excessive amount of fertility is supplied to the target plant. Nitrogen is
present in peat as organic nitrogen, and therefore, does not release nitrogen to plants as quickly as chemical fertilizers. However,
nitrogen from peat continues to be released for several years as the organic matter decomposes.
NOTE 1—The
...