ASTM F1687-09

Standard Guide for Terminology and Indices to Describe Oiling Conditions on Shorelines

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
In order to ensure data consistency, it is important to use standardized terminology and definitions in describing oiling conditions. This guide provides a template for that purpose.
Data on oiling conditions at a shoreline are needed to provide an accurate perspective of the nature and scale of the oiling problem and to facilitate spill-response planning and decision making. Data on oiling conditions would be used in assessing the need for cleanup actions, selecting the most appropriate response technique(s), determining priorities for cleanup, and evaluating the endpoint of cleanup activities.  
Mechanisms by which data are collected may vary (see Guide F1686). They may include aerial video surveys or ground-level assessment surveys. The composition and responsibility of the survey team will depend on the response organization and objectives. The magnitude and type of data sets collected may likewise vary with the nature of the spill and operational needs.
Consistent data sets (observations and measurements) on shoreline oiling conditions are essential within any one spill in order to compare the data between different sites or observers, and to compare the data against existing benchmarks or criteria that have been developed to rate the nature or severity of the oiling. To the extent possible, consistency is also desirable between different spills, in order to benefit from previous experiences and cleanup decisions.
It is recognized that some modifications may be appropriate based on local or regional geographic conditions or upon the specific character of the stranded oil.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the standardized terminology and types of observational data and indices appropriate to describe the quantity, nature, and distribution of oil and physical oiling conditions on shorelines that have been contaminated by an oil spill.
1.2 This guide does not address the mechanisms and field procedures by which the necessary data are gathered; nor does it address terminology used to describe the cultural resource or ecological character of oiled shorelines, spill monitoring, or cleanup techniques.
1.3 This guide applies to marine shorelines (including estuaries) and may also be used in freshwater environments (rivers and lakes).
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 30-Sep-2009
• ICS: 13.300 - Protection against dangerous goods
• Technical Committee: F20 - Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response
• Drafting Committee: F20.17 - Shoreline and Inland Countermeasures

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1687-97(2003) - Standard Guide for Terminology and Indices to Describe Oiling Conditions on Shorelines
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F1686-22 - Standard Guide for Surveys to Document and Assess Oiling Conditions
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009
• Referred By: ASTM F2204/F2204M-22 - Standard Guide for Describing Shoreline and Inland Response Techniques
• Effective Date: 01-Oct-2009

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: F1687 − 09
StandardGuide for
Terminology and Indices to Describe Oiling Conditions on
1
Shorelines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1687; 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 are usually in the sand/granule/pebble size range. In
appearance, natural asphalt pavement may resemble the mix-
1.1 This guide covers the standardized terminology and
ture artificially created to surface roads.
types of observational data and indices appropriate to describe
3.1.2 shore zones—the land-water interface is typically
the quantity, nature, and distribution of oil and physical oiling
subdivided into across-shore zones as follows:
conditionsonshorelinesthathavebeencontaminatedbyanoil
spill.
Tidal Environments
Lower Intertidal Zone—the lower approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
1.2 This guide does not address the mechanisms and field
Mid Intertidal Zone—the middle approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
procedures by which the necessary data are gathered; nor does Upper Intertidal Zone—the upper approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Supra-Tidal Zone—the area above the mean high tide that occasionally
itaddressterminologyusedtodescribetheculturalresourceor
experiences wave activity; also known as the splash zone
ecological character of oiled shorelines, spill monitoring, or
Non-Tidal and Lake Environments
cleanup techniques.
Lower Swash Zone—the area between the mean annual water level and the
1.3 This guide applies to marine shorelines (including
lowest annual water level, the lower approximate one-half of the zone of
wave activity
estuaries) and may also be used in freshwater environments
Upper Swash Zone—the area between the highest annual water level and the
(rivers and lakes).
mean annual water level; the upper approximate one-half of the zone of
wave activity
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
Supra-Swash Zone—the area above the highest annual water level that
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
occasionally experiences wave activity, for example, during a surge or
a storm event
standard.
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the
River Environments
Lower Bank—exposed only during low flow conditions
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Midstream—areas exposed in a channel that are separated from the river bank
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Upper Bank—under water only during bank-full river stage
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
Overbank—flood plain-inundated only by over-bank flow during
flood conditions
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.3 weathered oil—the oil that has had an alteration of
2. Referenced Documents
physical or chemical properties, or both, through natural
2
2.1 ASTM Standards: processes such as evaporation, dissolution, oxidation,
F1686Guide for Surveys to Document and Assess Oiling emulsification, and biodegradation.
Conditions on Shorelines
4. Significance and Use
3. Terminology
4.1 Inordertoensuredataconsistency,itisimportanttouse
3.1 Definitions:
standardized terminology and definitions in describing oiling
3
3.1.1 asphalt pavement—a naturally formed cohesive mix-
conditions. This guide provides a template for that purpose.
ture of weathered oil and sediments. Sediments in the mixture
4.2 Data on oiling conditions at a shoreline are needed to
provide an accurate perspective of the nature and scale of the
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
oiling problem and to facilitate spill-response planning and
Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
decision making. Data on oiling conditions would be used in
F20.17 on Shoreline Countermeasures.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published October 2009. Originally
assessing the need for cleanup actions, selecting the most
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F1687–97(2003).
DOI: 10.1520/F1687-09.
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
3
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Owens, E. H. and Sergy, G. A., The SCAT Manual: A Field Guide to the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Documentation and Description of Oiled Shorelines, Second Edition, Environment
the ASTM website. Canada, Edmonton, AB, 2000.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

...

This document is not anASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of anASTM 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:F1687–97 (Reapproved 2003) Designation:F1687–09
Standard Guide for
Terminology and Indices to Describe Oiling Conditions on
1
Shorelines
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1687; 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 guide covers the standardized terminology and types of observational data and indices appropriate to describe the
quantity, nature, and distribution of oil and physical oiling conditions on shorelines that have been contaminated by an oil spill.
1.2 This guide does not address the mechanisms and field procedures by which the necessary data are gathered; nor does it
address terminology used to describe the cultural resource or ecological character of oiled shorelines, spill monitoring, or cleanup
techniques.
1.3 This guide applies to marine shorelines (including estuaries) and may also be used in freshwater environments (rivers and
lakes).
1.4The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory
limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F1686 Guide for Surveys to Document and Assess Oiling Conditions on Shorelines
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 asphalt pavement—a naturally formed cohesive mixture of weathered oil and sediments. Sediments in the mixture are
usually in the sand/granule/pebble size range. In appearance, natural asphalt pavement may resemble the mixture artificially
created to surface roads.
3.1.2 lower-swash zone—the area between the lowest annual water level and the mean annual water level, the lower half
(approximate) of the zone of wave activity. shore zones—the land-water interface is typically subdivided into across-shore zones
as follows:
Tidal Environments
Lower Intertidal Zone—the lower approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Mid Intertidal Zone—the middle approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Upper Intertidal Zone—the upper approximate one-third of the intertidal zone
Supra-Tidal Zone—the area above the mean high tide that occasionally
experiences wave activity; also known as the splash zone
Non-Tidal and Lake Environments
Lower Swash Zone—the area between the mean annual water level and the
lowest annual water level, the lower approximate one-half of the zone of
wave activity
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F20.17
on Shoreline Countermasters.
Current edition approved Feb. 10, 1997. Published April 1997. Originally published as F1687–96. Last previous edition F1687–96. DOI: 10.1520/F1687-97R03.on
Shoreline Countermeasures.
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2009. Published October 2009. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2003 as F1687 – 97(2003). DOI:
10.1520/F1687-09.
2
For referencedASTM standards, visit theASTM website, www.astm.org, or contactASTM 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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
1

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F1687–09
Upper Swash Zone—the area between the highest annual water level and the
mean annual water level; the upper approximate one-half of the zone of
wave activity
Supra-Swash Zone—the area above the highest annual water level that
occasionally experiences wave activity, for example, during a surge or
a storm event
River Environments
Lower Bank—exposed only during low flow conditions
Midstream—areas exposed in a channel that are separated from the river bank
Upper Bank—under water only during bank-full river stage
Overbank—flood plain-inundated only by over-bank flow during
flood conditions
3.1.3 supra-swash zone—the are
...