ASTM D3977-97(2007)
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
Standard Test Methods for Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Suspended-sediment samples contain particles with a wide variety of physical characteristics. By presenting alternate approaches, these test methods allow latitude in selecting analysis methods that work best with the particular samples under study.
Sediment-concentration data are used for many purposes that include: (1) computing suspended-sediment discharges of streams or sediment yields of watersheds, (2) scheduling treatments of industrial and domestic water supplies, and (3) estimating discharges of pesticides, plant nutrients, and heavy metals transported on surfaces or inside sediment particles.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of sediment concentrations in water and wastewater samples collected from lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, and other water bodies. In lakes and other quiescent-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in samples are nearly equal to concentrations at sampling points; in most instances, sample concentrations are not strongly influenced by collection techniques. In rivers and other flowing-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in samples depend upon the manner in which the samples are collected. Concentrations in isokinetically-collected samples can be multiplied by water discharges to obtain sediment discharges in the vicinity of the sampling points.
1.2 The procedures given in these test methods are used by the Agricultural Research Service, Geological Survey, National Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and other agencies responsible for studying water bodies. These test methods are adapted from a laboratory-procedure manual and a quality-assurance plan.
1.3 These test methods include:SectionsTest Method A-Evaporation8 to 13Test Method B-Filtration14 to 19Test Method C-Wet-sieving-filtration20 to 25
1.4 Test Method A can be used only on sediments that settle within the allotted storage time of the samples which usually ranges from a few days to a few weeks. A correction factor must be applied if dissolved-solids concentration exceeds about 10 % of the sediment concentration.
1.5 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing sand concentrations less than about 10 000 ppm and clay concentrations less than about 200 ppm. The sediment need not be settleable because filters are used to separate water from the sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not required.
1.6 Test Method C can be used if two concentration values are required: one for sand-size particles and one for the combination of silt and clay-size particles. The silt-clay fraction need not be settleable.
1.7 These test methods must not be confused with turbidity measurements discussed in Test Method D 1889. Turbidity is the optical property of a sample that causes light rays to be scattered and absorbed; it is not an accurate measure of the mass or concentration of sediment in the sample.
1.8 These test methods contain some procedures similar to those in Test Methods D 1888 which pertains to measuring particulate and dissolved matter in water.
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.
1.9 This test method can be used only with sediments that settle under the influence of gravity. This test method is applicable to samples ranging from 0.2 to 20 L in volume, from 5 to 550 000 mg/L in sediment concentration, and having less than 35 000 mg/L in dissolved-solid concentration.
1.10 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing sand concentrations less than about 10 000 ppm and clay concentrations less than about 200 ppm. The sediment need not be settleable because filters are used to separate water from the sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not required.
1.11 Even though ...
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Designation: D3977 − 97(Reapproved 2007)
Standard Test Methods for
Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D3977; 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 besettleablebecausefiltersareusedtoseparatewaterfromthe
sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of sediment
required.
concentrationsinwaterandwastewatersamplescollectedfrom
lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, and other water bodies. In
1.6 Test Method C can be used if two concentration values
lakes and other quiescent-water bodies, concentrations of
are required: one for sand-size particles and one for the
sediment in samples are nearly equal to concentrations at
combination of silt and clay-size particles. The silt-clay frac-
sampling points; in most instances, sample concentrations are
tion need not be settleable.
not strongly influenced by collection techniques. In rivers and
1.7 These test methods must not be confused with turbidity
other flowing-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in
measurements discussed in Test Method D1889. Turbidity is
samples depend upon the manner in which the samples are
the optical property of a sample that causes light rays to be
collected. Concentrations in isokinetically-collected samples
scattered and absorbed; it is not an accurate measure of the
can be multiplied by water discharges to obtain sediment
mass or concentration of sediment in the sample.
discharges in the vicinity of the sampling points.
1.8 These test methods contain some procedures similar to
1.2 The procedures given in these test methods are used by
those in Test Methods D1888 which pertains to measuring
theAgriculturalResearchService,GeologicalSurvey,National
particulate and dissolved matter in water.
Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
other agencies responsible for studying water bodies. These
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
test methods are adapted from a laboratory-procedure manual
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
and a quality-assurance plan.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.3 These test methods include:
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
Sections
Test Method A—Evaporation 8 to 13
2. Referenced Documents
Test Method B—Filtration 14 to 19
Test Method C—Wet-sieving-filtration 20 to 25
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.4 TestMethodAcanbeusedonlyonsedimentsthatsettle
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
within the allotted storage time of the samples which usually
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
ranges from a few days to a few weeks. A correction factor
D1888MethodsOfTestforParticulateandDissolvedMatter
must be applied if dissolved-solids concentration exceeds 5
in Water (Withdrawn 1989)
about 10% of the sediment concentration.
D1889Test Method for Turbidity of Water (Withdrawn
1.5 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing
2007)
sand concentrations less than about 10000 ppm and clay D2777Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
concentrationslessthanabout200ppm.Thesedimentneednot Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water
D4410Terminology for Fluvial Sediment
D4411Guide for Sampling Fluvial Sediment in Motion
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on
E11Specification forWovenWireTest Sieve Cloth andTest
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments,
Sieves
Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow.
Current edition approved June 15, 2007. Published July 2007. Originally
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2002 as D3977–97 (2002).
DOI: 10.1520/D3977-97R07.
2 4
Guy, H. P., “Laboratory Theory and Methods for Sediment Analysis,” Tech- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
niques of Water Resources Investigations, U.S. Geological Survey,Book5,Chapter contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
C1, 1941. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Matthes,W.J.,Jr.,Sholar,C.,J.,andGeorge,J.R.,“Quality-AssurancePlanfor the ASTM website.
the Analysis of Fluvial Sediment,” U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report 90, The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
1990. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D3977 − 97 (2007)
3. Terminology scheduling treatments of industrial and domestic water sup-
plies, and (3) estimating discharges of pesticides, plant nutri-
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of water-related terms used
ents, and heavy metals transported on surfaces or inside
inthesetestmethodsrefertoTerminologiesD1129andD4410.
sediment particles.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 dissolved solids—soluble constituents in water. The
5. Reagents and Materials
quantityisdeterminedbyevaporatingawatersampletovisible
5.1 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
dryness at a temperature slightly below boiling. The tempera-
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined
ture is then raised to 105°C and held for about 2 h. This is
by Type III of Specification D1193.
followed by cooling in a desiccator and weighing the residue.
5.1.1 Requirementscanusuallybemetbypassingtapwater
3.2.2 fluvial sediment—particles that are (a) derived from
throughamixedcation-anionexchangeresinorbydistillation.
rocks or biological materials and (b) transported by flowing
water.
6. Sampling
3.2.3 sediment concentration—(a) the ratio of the mass of
6.1 Flows and concentrations in river cross sections are
dry sediment in a water-sediment mixture to the mass of the
usually unsteady; consequently, in a strict sense, samples
mixture or (b) the ratio of the mass of dry sediment in a
represent conditions only at the time and location of sample
water-sediment mixture to the volume of the mixture. As
collection.
indicated by Table 1, the two ratios differ except at concentra-
tions less than 8000 mg/L.
6.2 A sample may consist of a single container of a
3.2.4 supernate—clear, overlying liquid in a sediment water-sediment mixtures collected at (1) a specific point in a
sample. river cross section, (2) a specific vertical in a cross section (a
depth-integrated sample), or (3) several verticals in a cross-
3.2.5 suspended sediment—sedimentsupportedbyturbulent
section. If the verticals are equally spaced and the sample is
currents in flowing water or by Brownian movement.
collected at equal transit rates, it is referred to as an EWI
3.2.6 tare—weights of empty containers used in analysis
sample.TheacronymEWI(equal-width-increment)issynony-
procedure.
mous with ETR (equal-transit-rate) which appears in many
older reports.Asample may also consist of several containers
4. Significance and Use
filled at different points or verticals in a cross-section. If the
4.1 Suspended-sediment samples contain particles with a
containers are filled at centroids of equal discharge in a cross
widevarietyofphysicalcharacteristics.Bypresentingalternate
section, they are referred to as EDI samples. Details on
approaches, these test methods allow latitude in selecting
sampling are given in Guide D4411.
analysis methods that work best with the particular samples
under study.
7. Sample Handling
4.2 Sediment-concentration data are used for many pur-
7.1 When samples arrive at the laboratory, group them
poses that include: (1) computing suspended-sediment dis-
according to gaging stations and then arrange each group in
charges of streams or sediment yields of watersheds, (2)
chronological order according to times of sample collection.
Separate the samples to be analyzed for concentration from
those to be analyzed for particle-size distribution or other
TABLE 1 Factors for Conversion of Sediment Concentration in
3 A properties. A data sheet should then be completed for each
Parts per Million (ppm) to Grams per Cubic Metre (g/m ) or
Milligrams per Litre (mg/L)
concentration sample. Examples of three commonly used
Range of Range of Range of
forms are shown on Fig. 1. Expanded notes can be written on
Multiply Multiply Multiply
Concentration, Concentration, Concentration,
By By By the front of the forms in spaces reserved for other bottles or, if
1000 ppm 1000 ppm 1000 ppm
evenmorespaceisneeded,remarkscanbewrittenontheback
0–7.95 1.00 153–165 1.11 362–380 1.30
of the forms along with reference numbers keyed to the
8.0–23.7 1.01 166–178 1.12 381–398 1.32
23.8–39.1 1.02 179–191 1.13 399–416 1.34
appropriate bottles.
39.2–54.3 1.03 192–209 1.14 417–434 1.36
54.4–69.2 1.04 210–233 1.16 435–451 1.38
7.2 Check each sample for: (1) loss of water caused by
69.3–83.7 1.05 234–256 1.18 452–467 1.40
leakage or evaporation, (2) loss of sediment which is some-
83.8–97.9 1.06 257–278 1.20 468–483 1.42
timesrevealedbythepresenceofparticlesontheoutsideofthe
98.0–111 1.07 279–300 1.22 484–498 1.44
112–125 1.08 301–321 1.24 499–513 1.46
sample bottle, (3) accuracy of sample-identification notes, and
126–139 1.09 322–341 1.26 514–528 1.48
(4)acontainertarewhichisusuallyetchedonthebottle.Enter
140–152 1.10 342–361 1.28 529–542 1.50
all appropriate notes, observations, and data on the laboratory
A
Based on water density of 1.000 g/mL and specific gravity of sediment of 2.65.
form.Beparticularlycarefultoentertheetchedtarereadingon
The following equation also applies:
the form under the heading Weight of Sample—Tare.
C 5 C/s1.02
7.3 Removethebottlecapsthenweigheachcontaineralong
where:
with its water-sediment mixture to the nearest 0.5 g. Record
C = sediment concentration, mg/L, and
each reading on the corresponding bottle and on the laboratory
C = sediment concentration, ppm.
form under the heading Weight of Sample—Gross.
D3977 − 97 (2007)
FIG. 1 Alternate Forms for Recording Field and Laboratory Data for Sediment Samples
7.4 Replace the caps then store the samples in a cool, dark 10.2 Vacuum System, trapped to prevent sample carry-over
place to minimize microbiological and algal growth. Inspect to the vacuum source during removal of supernate.
the bottles frequently; if the sediment does not settle within
10.3 Drying Oven, equipped with a 90 to 120°C thermostat
about 14 days, useTest Method B (filtration procedure) for the
isneededtocontroltemperatureswhileevaporatingwaterfrom
analysis. If settling proceeds at an acceptably rapid rate, use
thesediment.Agravity-convectiontypeovenispreferredbuta
Test Methods A, B, or C.
mechanically ventilated (forced draft) style can be used if
air-flow rates are low.
TEST METHOD A—EVAPORATION
10.4 Desiccator, for preventing air-borne moisture from
8. Scope
collecting in the sediment specimens while they are cooling.
8.1 This test method can be used only with sediments that
10.5 Laboratory Balance,top-loadingtypewitharesolution
settle under the influence of gravity. This test method is
of 0.0001 g and a capacity of 150 g is needed for weighing the
applicabletosamplesrangingfrom0.2to20Linvolume,from
dry sediments.
5 to 550000 mg/L in sediment concentration, and having less
10.6 Laboratory Balance,top-loadingtypewitharesolution
than 35000 mg/L in dissolved-solid concentration.
of 0.1 g and a capacity of about 4000 g is needed for weighing
9. Summary of Test Method sample bottles containing water and sediment.
9.1 After the sediment has settled, most of the supernatant
11. Procedure
water is poured or siphoned away. The volume of water-
sediment mixture remaining is measured so that a dissolved- 11.1 After the sediment has settled, decant or vacuum away
solids correction can be applied later. The sediment is then
asmuchsupernateaspossiblewithoutdisturbingthesediment.
dried and weighed. Sediment concentration is calculated in This can be accomplished by connecting a J-shaped plastic,
accordance with Section 12.
copper, or glass tube to the vacuum line and lowering the tube
untilthecurvedsectionisnearthebottomofthesamplebottle.
10. Apparatus
Supernateenterstheupward-facingendofthetubeandthereby
10.1 Evaporating Dishes or Beakers—Preweighed contain- flows away without creating currents and eddies in the sedi-
ers of porcelain or glass with capacities of about 150 mL are mentlayer.Savethesupernateforadissolved-solidscorrection
needed for holding the sediment and water during drying. factor to be determined later.
D3977 − 97 (2007)
11.2 After decanting, about 40 to 70 mL of water-sediment 12.2 Subtract the value of DSc in 12.1 from the net weight
mixture should be left. To determine the exact volume, place determined in 11.5. Record the difference on the laboratory
the sample bottle on a level support then mark the liquid form under the second heading labeled Weight of Sediment—
surfaceantheoutsideofthebottle.Usewatertowashallofthe Net. Notice each laboratory form has two rows with this
sedimentandsupernate into an evaporating dish, thenrefillthe heading.
sample bottle to the mark with water from a small graduate.
12.3 Divide the Net Weight of Sediment (second entry) by
Record the volume added to the sample bottle on the sample-
the Net Weight of Sample. Both weights must be in the same
data form.
units, preferably grams. Multiply the quotient by one million,
then enter the result under the heading Conc. (ppm) on the
11.3 Place the evaporating dish in the oven with the
temperature set slightly below boiling. Maintain this tempera- laboratory form.
tureuntilallvisibletracesofwaterhaveevaporated.Thenraise
12.4 Modern practice calls for reporting sediment concen-
and hold the temperature at 105°C for about 2 h.
trations in milligrams per litre instead of ppm as determined in
12.3. Conversion can be made with the aid of Table 1. For
11.4 Transferthedishfromtheoventothedesiccator;allow
example, consider a sediment concentration of 41000 ppm.
the sediment to cool to room temperature.
The multiplier obtained from Table 1 is 1.03; therefore, the
11.5 Weigh the dish to the nearest 0.0001 g as quickly an
concentration is 41000×1.03=42400 mg/L. The equation
possible to minimize absorption of moisture from the air.
immediately following Table 1 can be used instead of the
Record the weight of the dish and its contents and also the tare
multipliers. Eq 1 is easier to use in computer programs and is
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