ASTM D2974-00
(Test Method)Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils
Standard Test Methods for Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other Organic Soils
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of moisture content, ash content, and organic matter in peats and other organic soils, such as organic clays, silts, and mucks.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.3 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.
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NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.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: D 2974 – 00
Standard Test Methods for
Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter of Peat and Other
Organic Soils
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 2974; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* 4.2 Test Method B—This is an alternative moisture method
which removes the total moisture in two steps: ( 1) evaporation
1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of moisture
of moisture in air at room temperature (air-drying), and (2) the
content, ash content, and organic matter in peats and other
subsequent oven drying of the air-dried sample at 105°C. This
organic soils, such as organic clays, silts, and mucks.
method provides a more stable sample, the air-dried sample,
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
when tests for nitrogen, pH, cation exchange, and the like are
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
to be made.
standard.
4.3 Test Methods C and D—Ashcontentofapeatororganic
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
soil sample is determined by igniting the oven-dried sample
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
from the moisture content determination in a muffle furnace at
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
440°C (Method C) or 750°C (Method D). The substance
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
remainingafterignitionistheash.Theashcontentisexpressed
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
as a percentage of the mass of the oven-dried sample.
2. Referenced Documents 4.4 Organic matter is determined by subtracting percent ash
content from one hundred.
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D 653 Terminology Relating to Rock, Soil, and Contained
5. Significance and Use
Fluids
5.1 This test method can be used to determine the moisture
D 3740 Practice for the Evaluation ofAgencies Engaged in
content, ash content, and percent organic matter in soil.
the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
5.2 The percent organic matter is important in classifying a
Engineering Design and Construction
peat or other organic soil.
D 4753 Standard Specifications for Evaluating, Selecting,
and Specifying Balances and Scales for Use in Soil and
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
Rock Testing
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
E 145 Specification for Gravity Convection and Forced
criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent
Ventilation Ovens
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure
3. Terminology
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740
3.1 Definitions:
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
3.1.1 Forcommondefinitionsoftermsinthisstandard,refer
6. Apparatus
to Terminology D 653.
6.1 Oven, meeting the requirements of E 145 and capable of
4. Summary of Test Methods
being regulated to a constant temperature of 105 6 5°C.
4.1 Test MethodA—Moistureisdeterminedbydryingapeat
NOTE 2—The temperature of 105°C is quite critical for organic soils.
or organic soil sample at 105°C. The moisture content is
The oven should be checked for “hot spots” to avoid possible ignition of
expressed either as a percent of the oven dry mass or of the
the specimen.
as-received mass.
6.2 Muffle Furnace, capable of producing constant tempera-
tures of 440°C and 750°C.
These test methods are under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil
6.3 Balance or Scale, a balance or scale for determining the
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a
mass of the soil having a minimum capacity of 500 g and
Medium for Plant Growth.
meeting the requirements of Standard D 4753 for a balance or
Current edition approved Aug. 10, 2000. Published November 2000. Originally
scale of 0.01 g readability.
published as D 2974 – 71. Last previous edition D 2974 – 87 (1995).
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.08.
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.06.
*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.
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.
D2974–00
6.4 Rubber Sheet, Oil Cloth, or other non-absorbent mate- 8.1.3.1 This test method should be used if pH, nitrogen
rial. content, cation exchange capacity, and the like are to be tested.
6.5 Evaporating Dishes, of high silica or porcelain of not 8.1.3.2 Following the instructions in section 4.1 above,
less than 100-mL capacity.
select a 100 to 300 g representative test specimen. Determine
6.6 Blender, high-speed. the mass of this test specimen to the nearest 0.01 g and spread
6.7 Aluminum Foil, heavy-duty. it evenly on a large flat pan. Crush soft lumps with a spoon or
6.8 Porcelain Pan, Spoons, and equipment of the like. spatula and let the sample come to moisture equilibrium with
6.9 Desiccator. room air. This will require at least 24 h. Stir occasionally to
maintain maximum air exposure of the entire sample. When
the mass of the sample reaches a constant value, calculate the
7. Sampling and Test Specimens
moisture removed during air drying as a percentage of the
7.1 Place a representative field sample on a square rubber
as-received mass.
sheet, oil cloth, or equivalent material and mix thoroughly.
8.1.3.3 Grind a representative portion of the air-dried
7.2 Reduce the sample to the quantity required for a test
sample for 1 to 2 min in a high-speed blender. Use the ground
specimen by quartering.
portion for moisture, ash, nitrogen, cation exchange capacity
7.3 Place the test specimen and the remaining sample in
tests, and the like.
separate waterproof containers.
8.1.3.4 Thoroughlymixtheair-dried,groundsample.Weigh
7.4 Work rapidly to prevent moisture loss or perform the
to the nearest 0.01 g the equivalent of 50 g of test specimen on
operation in a room with a high humidity.
an as-received basis. Determine the amount, in grams, of
air-dried sample equivalent to 50 g of as-received sample, as
8. Procedure
follows:
8.1 Moisture Content Determination
Equivalent Sample Mass, g 5 50.0 2 [~50 3 M!/100] (3)
8.1.1 Test Method A
8.1.1.1 Record to the nearest 0.01 g the mass of a high silica
where:
or porcelain evaporating dish fitted with a heavy-duty alumi-
M = moisture removed in air drying, %.
num foil cover. The dish shall have a capacity of not less than
8.1.3.5 Place the sample in a container as described in 8.1.1
100 mL.
and proceed as in Method A.
8.1.1.2 Following the instruction in section 4.1 above, place
8.1.4 Calculations for Test Method B
a test specimen of at least 50 g in the container described in
8.1.4.1 Calculate the moisture content as follows:
8.1.1.1. Crush soft lumps with a spoon or spatula. The
Moisture Content, % 5 ~50 2 B! 3 2 (4)
thickness of peat in the container should not exceed 3 cm.
8.1.1.3 Cover immediately with the aluminum foil cover
where:
and record the mass to the nearest 0.01 g.
B = oven-dried sample, g.
8.1.1.4 Dry uncovered for at least 16
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