ASTM D4373-14

Standard Test Method for Rapid Determination of Carbonate Content of Soils

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 This test method is used to determine the presence and quantity of carbonate in a soil specimen in terms of the calcite equivalent. The method is generally intended for use as an index of approximate carbonate content to assist with characterizing marine soils. Other test methods exist (such as Method C25 and Test Method D3042) to evaluate calcium carbonate equivalency for purposes of characterizing use of calcareous materials as soil modifiers or agricultural lining materials.  
5.1.1 Calcium carbonates (CaCO3) are known cementing agents, are water soluble at pH  
5.2 This test method has limitations as follows:  
5.2.1 If low carbonate contents (calcite equivalents) are measured, the user does not know whether the soil is low in carbonate content or contains cerrusite, witherite, and the like, which are carbonate species whose reactions with hydrochloric acid are either very slow or limited.  
5.2.2 Testing times may be extensive (longer than 1 hour) for some carbonate species (such as dolomite) if calcite equivalents within about 1 % are required.  
5.2.3 The effects of specimen grain size, duration of testing, pH and specimen mass are discussed in the literature.3Note 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 assure 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 the determination of carbonate content of soils and soft rock which can be readily broken down by mechanical effort. It is a gasometric method that uses a simple portable apparatus. Results should be clearly stated as the calcite equivalent in percent because different carbonate species cover a wide range of percent calcite equivalent as shown below for a number of carbonates:    
Species  
Cation  
Calcite
Equivalent, %  
Magnesite  
Mg  
117.0  
Dolomite  
Ca, Mg  
108.6  
Calcite  
Ca  
100.0  
Aragonite  
Ca  
100.0  
Rhodocrosite  
Mn  
87.1  
Siderite  
Fe  
86.4  
Smithsonite  
Zn  
79.8  
Witherite  
Ba  
50.7  
Cerrusite  
Pb  
37.5
For example, a 100 % dolomite would be expected to yield 108.6 % calcite equivalent while 100 % siderite would yield only 86.4 % calcite equivalent. Calcite and aragonite reactions will typically complete within about 10 minutes. This method does not distinguish between the carbonate species and such determination must be made using quantitative chemical analysis methods such as atomic absorption.  
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 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 analytical 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 p...

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Apr-2014
• ICS: 13.080.10 - Chemical characteristics of soils
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.06 - Physical-Chemical Interactions of Soil and Rock

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: D4373 − 14
Standard Test Method for Rapid Determination of
1
Carbonate Content of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4373; 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* commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analytical
1.1 This test method covers the determination of carbonate
methods for engineering design.
content of soils and soft rock which can be readily broken
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
down by mechanical effort. It is a gasometric method that uses
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
a simple portable apparatus. Results should be clearly stated as
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
the calcite equivalent in percent because different carbonate
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
species cover a wide range of percent calcite equivalent as
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. For specific
shown below for a number of carbonates:
precaution statements, see Section 8.
Calcite
Species Cation
Equivalent, %
Magnesite Mg 117.0 2. Referenced Documents
Dolomite Ca, Mg 108.6
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
Calcite Ca 100.0
Aragonite Ca 100.0
C25 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Limestone,
Rhodocrosite Mn 87.1
Quicklime, and Hydrated Lime
Siderite Fe 86.4
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Smithsonite Zn 79.8
Witherite Ba 50.7
Fluids
Cerrusite Pb 37.5
D3042 Test Method for Insoluble Residue in Carbonate
For example, a 100 % dolomite would be expected to yield
Aggregates
108.6 % calcite equivalent while 100 % siderite would yield
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
only 86.4 % calcite equivalent. Calcite and aragonite reactions
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
will typically complete within about 10 minutes. This method
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
does not distinguish between the carbonate species and such
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
determinationmustbemadeusingquantitativechemicalanaly-
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
sis methods such as atomic absorption.
Construction Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
Data
as the standard.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test
1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Sieves
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
Practice D6026.
Ventilation Ovens
1.3.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
3. Terminology
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of common technical terms
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
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
4.1 The carbonate content (calcite equivalent) of soil is
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
determined by treating a 1-g dried soil specimen with hydro-
chloric acid (HCl) in an enclosed reaction cylinder (reactor).
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.06onPhysical-Chemical
2
Interactions of Soil and Rock. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2014. Published June 2014. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4373 – 02 (2007). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D4373-14. 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 ----------------------
D4373 − 14
Carbon dioxide (CO ) gas is evolved during the reaction 5.2.3 The effects of specimen grain size, duration of testing,
2
3
between the acid and carbonate fraction of the specimen. The pH and specimen mass are discussed in the literature.
resu
...

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: D4373 − 02 (Reapproved 2007) D4373 − 14
Standard Test Method for Rapid Determination of
1
Carbonate Content of Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4373; 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 Scope*
1.1 This test method covers the determination of carbonate content of soils and soft rock which can be readily broken down by
mechanical effort. It is a gasometric method that utilizesuses a simple portable apparatus. Results should be clearly stated as the
calcite equivalent in percent because different carbonate species cover a wide range of percent calcite equivalent as shown below
for a number of carbonates:
Calcite
Species Cation
Equivalent, %
Magnesite Mg 117.0
Dolomite Ca, Mg 108.6
Calcite Ca 100.0
Aragonite Ca 100.0
Rhodocrosite Mn 87.1
Siderite Fe 86.4
Smithsonite Zn 79.8
Witherite Ba 50.7
Cerrusite Pb 37.5
For example, a 100 % dolomite would be expected to yield 108.6 % calcite equivalent while 100 % siderite would yield only
86.4 % calcite equivalent. Calcite and aragonite reactions will typically complete within about 10 min.minutes. This method does
not distinguish between the carbonate species and such determination must be made using quantitative chemical analysis methods
such as atomic absorption.
1.2 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the 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 analytical methods for engineering design.
1.4 The method used to specify how data are collected, calculated, or recorded in this standard is not directly related to the
accuracy to which the data can be applied in design or other uses, or both. How one applies the results obtained using this standard
is beyond its scope.
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. For specific precaution statements, see Section 8.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
C25 Test Methods for Chemical Analysis of Limestone, Quicklime, and Hydrated Lime
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.06 on Physical-Chemical
Interactions of Soil and Rock.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2007May 1, 2014. Published October 2007June 2014. Originally approved in 1984. Last previous edition approved in 20022007 as
D4373 – 02.D4373 – 02 (2007). DOI: 10.1520/D4373-02R07.10.1520/D4373-14.
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 ----------------------
D4373 − 14
D3042 Test Method for Insoluble Residue in Carbonate Aggregates
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
E11 Spe
...