ASTM D6139-22

Standard Test Method for Determining the Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of Lubricants or Their Components Using the Gledhill Shake Flask

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Results from this CO2 evolution test method suggest, within the confines of a controlled laboratory setting, the degree of ultimate aerobic aquatic biodegradability of a lubricant or components of a lubricant. Test materials which achieve a high degree of biodegradation in this test method may be assumed to easily biodegrade in many aerobic aquatic environments. (See also Test Method D5864.)  
5.2 Because of the stringency of this test method, a low yield of CO2 does not necessarily mean that the test material is not biodegradable under environmental conditions, but indicates that further testing needs to be carried out in order to establish biodegradability.  
5.3 Information on the toxicity of the test material to the inoculum may be useful in the interpretation of low biodegradation results.  
5.4 Activated sewage-sludge from a sewage treatment plant that principally treats domestic waste may be used as an aerobic inoculum. An inoculum derived from soil or natural surface waters, or any combination of the three sources, may also be used in this test method.
Note 1: Allowance for various and multiple inoculum sources provides access to a greater diversity of biochemical competency and potentially represents more accurately the capacity for biodegradation.  
5.5 A reference or control material known to biodegrade under the conditions of this test method is necessary in order to verify the activity of the inoculum. The test method must be regarded as invalid and should be repeated using a fresh inoculum if the reference does not demonstrate biodegradation to the extent of >60 % of the theoretical CO2 within 28 days.  
5.6 The water solubility or dispersibility of the lubricant or components may influence the results obtained and hence the procedure may be limited to comparing lubricants or components with similar solubilities.  
5.7 The ratio of carbon incorporated into cellular material to carbon metabolized to CO2 will vary depending on the organic sub...
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the degree of aerobic aquatic biodegradation of fully formulated lubricants or their components on exposure to an inoculum under controlled laboratory conditions. This test method is an ultimate biodegradation test that measures carbon dioxide (CO2) evolution.  
1.2 This test method is intended to specifically address the difficulties associated with testing water insoluble materials and complex mixtures such as are found in many lubricants.  
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all non-volatile lubricants or lubricant components that are not toxic and not inhibitory at the test concentration to the organisms present in the inoculum.  
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
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. Specific hazards are discussed in Section 10.  
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: 31-Mar-2022
• ICS: 75.100 - Lubricants, industrial oils and related products
• Technical Committee: D02 - Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants
• Drafting Committee: D02.12 - Environmental Standards for Lubricants

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: D6139 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of
Lubricants or Their Components Using the Gledhill Shake
1
Flask
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6139; 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* 2. Referenced Documents
2
1.1 This test method covers the determination of the degree 2.1 ASTM Standards:
of aerobic aquatic biodegradation of fully formulated lubri- D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
cants or their components on exposure to an inoculum under D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
controlled laboratory conditions. This test method is an ulti- D4447 Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and
mate biodegradation test that measures carbon dioxide (CO ) Samples
2
evolution. D5291 Test Methods for Instrumental Determination of
Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum Products
1.2 This test method is intended to specifically address the
and Lubricants
difficulties associated with testing water insoluble materials
D5864 Test Method for Determining Aerobic Aquatic Bio-
and complex mixtures such as are found in many lubricants.
degradation of Lubricants or Their Components
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Envi-
non-volatile lubricants or lubricant components that are not
ronmental Fate
3
toxic and not inhibitory at the test concentration to the
2.2 ISO Standard:
organisms present in the inoculum.
4259:1992(E) Petroleum Products—Determination and ap-
plication of precision data in relation to methods of test
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this 2.3 APHA Standards:
standard. 2540B Total Solids Dried at 103–105°C
9215 Heterotrophic Plate Count
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
3. Terminology
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1 Definitions:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
3.1.1 Definitions of terms applicable to this test method that
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
arenotdescribedhereinappearintheASTMOnlineDictionary
Specific hazards are discussed in Section 10.
5
of Engineering Science and Technology or Terminology
1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-
E943.
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
2
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
the ASTM website.
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St.,
4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
1 4
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on MethodsfromStandardMethodsfortheExaminationofWaterandWastewater,
Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of latest edition.Available from theAmerican Public HealthAssociation (APHA), 800
Subcommittee D02.12 on Environmental Standards for Lubricants. I Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.
5
Current edition approved April 1, 2022. Published April 2022. Originally ASTM Online Dictionary of Engineering Science and Technology
approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 2018 as D6139 – 18. DOI: (Stock#DEFONLINE) is available on theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contact
10.1520/D6139-22. ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail].
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6139 − 22
3.1.2 activated sludge, n—the precipitated solid matter, 3.1.12 pre-condition, n—the pre-incubation of an inoculum
consisting mainly of bacteria and other aquatic under the conditions of the test in the absence of the test
microorganisms, that is produced at a domestic wastewater material.
treatment plant and is used primarily in secondary sew
...

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: D6139 − 18 D6139 − 22
Standard Test Method for
Determining the Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of
Lubricants or Their Components Using the Gledhill Shake
1
Flask
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6139; 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 covers the determination of the degree of aerobic aquatic biodegradation of fully formulated lubricants or
their components on exposure to an inoculum under controlled laboratory conditions. This test method is an ultimate
biodegradation test that measures carbon dioxide (CO ) evolution.
2
1.2 This test method is intended to specifically address the difficulties associated with testing water insoluble materials and
complex mixtures such as are found in many lubricants.
1.3 This test method is designed to be applicable to all non-volatile lubricants or lubricant components that are not toxic and not
inhibitory at the test concentration to the organisms present in the inoculum.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
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. Specific hazards are discussed in Section 10.
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:
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D1293 Test Methods for pH of Water
D4447 Guide for Disposal of Laboratory Chemicals and Samples
D5291 Test Methods for Instrumental Determination of Carbon, Hydrogen, and Nitrogen in Petroleum Products and Lubricants
D5864 Test Method for Determining Aerobic Aquatic Biodegradation of Lubricants or Their Components
E943 Terminology Relating to Biological Effects and Environmental Fate
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D02 on Petroleum Products, Liquid Fuels, and Lubricants and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
D02.12 on Environmental Standards for Lubricants.
Current edition approved June 1, 2018April 1, 2022. Published June 2018April 2022. Originally approved in 1997. Last previous edition approved in 20172018 as
D6139 – 17.D6139 – 18. DOI: 10.1520/D6139-18.10.1520/D6139-22.
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.
*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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D6139 − 22
3
2.2 ISO Standard:
4259:1992(E) Petroleum Products—Determination and application of precision data in relation to methods of test
4
2.3 APHA Standards:
2540B Total Solids Dried at 103–105°C
9215 Heterotrophic Plate Count
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3
Available from American National Standards Institute (ANSI), 25 W. 43rd St., 4th Floor, New York, NY 10036, http://www.ansi.org.
4
Methods from Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, latest edition. Available from the American Public Health Association (APHA), 800 I
Street, NW, Washington, DC 20001.
2

---------------------- Page: 2 ----------------------
D6139 − 22
3.1.1 Definitions of terms applicable to this test method that are not described herein appear in the ASTM Online Dictionary of
5
Engineering Science and Technology or Terminology E943.
3.1.2 activated sludge, n—the precipitated solid matter, consisting mainly of bacteria and other aquatic microorganisms, that is
produced at a domestic wastewater treatment plant and is used primarily in secondary sewage treatment to microbially oxidize
dissolved orga
...