ASTM F1210-23

Standard Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments, Lakes and Large Water Bodies

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This guide is meant to aid response teams who may use it during spill response planning and spill events.  
3.2 This guide should be adapted to site specific circumstance.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the use of oil spill dispersants to assist in the control of oil spills. The guide is written with the goal of minimizing the environmental impacts of oil spills; this goal is the basis on which the recommendations are made. Aesthetic and socioeconomic factors are not considered, although these and other factors are often important in spill response.  
1.2 Spill responders have available several means to control or clean up spilled oil. Chemical dispersants should be given equal consideration with other spill countermeasures.  
1.3 This is a general guide only. Oil, as used in this guide, includes crude oils and refined petroleum products. Differences between individual dispersants or between different oil products are not considered. The dispersibility of the oil with the chosen dispersant should be evaluated.  
1.4 The guide is organized by habitat type, for example, small ponds and lakes, rivers and streams, and land. It considers the use of dispersants primarily to protect habitats from impact (or to minimize impacts).  
1.5 This guide applies only to freshwater and other inland environments. It does not consider the direct application of dispersants to subsurface waters.  
1.6 In making dispersant use decisions, appropriate government authorities should be consulted as required by law.  
1.7 This guide does not address getting regulatory approval.  
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.9 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.  
1.10 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: 30-Nov-2023
• ICS: 13.060.10 - Water of natural resources
• Technical Committee: F20 - Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response
• Drafting Committee: F20.13 - Treatment

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM F1210-19 - Standard Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments, Lakes and Large Water Bodies
• Effective Date: 01-Dec-2023
• Refers: ASTM F2532-19(2024) - Standard Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of Dispersant Use
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2024
• Refers: ASTM F2532-19 - Standard Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of Dispersant Use
• Effective Date: 01-Mar-2019

Overview

ASTM F1210-23: Standard Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments, Lakes and Large Water Bodies offers essential guidance for spill response teams planning for or responding to oil spills in freshwater ecosystems. This ASTM standard focuses on minimizing environmental impacts of oil spills through careful consideration of dispersant use as a spill response strategy. It emphasizes ecological impacts over aesthetic or socioeconomic concerns and provides practical recommendations for making informed decisions on the application of oil spill dispersants in inland water bodies, including lakes and large water environments.

Key Topics

• Ecological Focus: The primary objective is to reduce environmental harm associated with oil spills in freshwater and inland environments. The standard discusses trade-offs between ecological protection and dispersant use.
• Application Scope: Covers a range of habitats such as small ponds, lakes, large water bodies, rivers, and streams. The recommendations are meant for inland, freshwater environments and exclude subsurface or marine applications.
• Spill Response Guidance: Advises responders to treat chemical dispersants as equal options alongside mechanical recovery or leaving oil untreated, rather than only as a last resort.
• Decision Factors:
  • Evaluate oil dispersibility with chosen dispersant.
  • Assess risks to indigenous wildlife and habitats, focusing on minimizing adverse impacts.
  • Consider alternatives before selecting dispersant use.
  • Take care around water intakes and in areas with sensitive species (e.g., fish eggs, waterfowl).
• Consultation and Adaptation: Recommends consultation with local authorities and adaptation of the guide to site-specific circumstances as required by law and environmental conditions.
• Environmental Characteristics: Defines lakes and large water bodies within the standard by size, depth, shoreline diversity, and ecological complexity.

Applications

The practical value of ASTM F1210-23 lies in its direct application to oil spill preparedness and emergency response in diverse freshwater and inland contexts:

• Spill Response Planning: Provides a framework for environmental impact assessment and countermeasure selection in contingency plans for oil spills in lakes, rivers, and other freshwater environments.
• Emergency Decision Support: Guides on-the-ground responders in evaluating whether and how to use dispersants to protect habitats, mitigate impacts, and minimize ecosystem disruption.
• Risk Mitigation: Encourages a balanced approach that weighs the impact on habitats and species, helps prioritize mechanical recovery or other methods over dispersants near sensitive resources.
• Incident Management: Offers actionable recommendations, such as maintaining sufficient distance from water intakes and identifying cases where dispersant use may not be suitable (e.g., presence of waterfowl or fish eggs).
• Customization: Acknowledges variable conditions across individual sites, prompting adaptation of guidance for local ecological, geographical, and regulatory contexts.

Related Standards

• ASTM F2532: Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of Dispersant Use - provides methods for assessing environmental trade-offs and supports decision-making referenced within ASTM F1210-23.
• Other ASTM Oil Spill Standards: The F20 Committee on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response develops related guidelines for spill response, treatment, and environmental protection.
• International Alignment: ASTM F1210-23 aligns with global principles on standardization, supporting interoperability and best practices set forth by the World Trade Organization's Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

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Keywords: oil spill dispersants, freshwater spill response, ecological considerations, inland water bodies, lakes, large water bodies, oil spill standard, ASTM F1210-23, environmental sensitivity, spill planning, habitat protection.

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: F1210 − 23
Standard Guide for
Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill
Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments,
Lakes and Large Water Bodies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1210; 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 priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.1 This guide covers the use of oil spill dispersants to assist
1.10 This international standard was developed in accor-
in the control of oil spills. The guide is written with the goal of
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
minimizing the environmental impacts of oil spills; this goal is
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
the basis on which the recommendations are made. Aesthetic
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
and socioeconomic factors are not considered, although these
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
and other factors are often important in spill response.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
1.2 Spill responders have available several means to control
or clean up spilled oil. Chemical dispersants should be given
2. Referenced Documents
equal consideration with other spill countermeasures. 2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 This is a general guide only. Oil, as used in this guide,
F2532 Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of
includes crude oils and refined petroleum products. Differences Dispersant Use
between individual dispersants or between different oil prod-
3. Significance and Use
ucts are not considered. The dispersibility of the oil with the
chosen dispersant should be evaluated.
3.1 This guide is meant to aid response teams who may use
it during spill response planning and spill events.
1.4 The guide is organized by habitat type, for example,
small ponds and lakes, rivers and streams, and land. It
3.2 This guide should be adapted to site specific circum-
considers the use of dispersants primarily to protect habitats
stance.
from impact (or to minimize impacts).
4. Environment Covered—Lakes and Large Water
1.5 This guide applies only to freshwater and other inland
Bodies
environments. It does not consider the direct application of
dispersants to subsurface waters. 4.1 Lakes and large water bodies are major fresh water
features that are a significant part of major water systems. They
1.6 In making dispersant use decisions, appropriate govern-
have a dynamic near-shore ecology, and a wide mixture of
ment authorities should be consulted as required by law.
animal and plants species. In northern regions, these water
1.7 This guide does not address getting regulatory approval.
bodies may be partly or completely ice-covered during part of
the year but will not freeze to the bottom. Commercially
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
important fishing and recreational activities are frequently
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
associated with these water bodies.
standard.
4.2 While most of these bodies are naturally occurring and
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
exist during most of the year, some may be man-made.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.3 The characteristics of these water bodies are:
4.3.1 Open water area greater than 10 hectares,
4.3.2 Water depths in excess of 1.5 m,
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
F20.13 on Treatment. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Dec. 1, 2023. Published December 2023. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 2019 as F1210 – 19. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1210-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1210 − 23
4.3.3 Soft or hard bottom with a low organic content except adverse effects of spilled oil on certain biological species at the
in shallow water areas, expense of other components of the ecosystem (14).
4.3.4 A well defined inlet or outlet, or both, and
6.2 Guide F2532 should be followed before making a
4.3.5 A well defined shoreline of varied characteristics such
decision to use dispersants on lakes or other large water bodies.
as sand beaches and rocky headlands similar to marine
6.3 In most cases, one should focus on minimizing impact
environments. Some parts of the shore may be similar to those
on the habitat. The re-population of areas after the spill will
in ponds and sloughs.
occur naturally when an area becomes a suitable habitat for a
5. Background given species.
5.1 The effects of oil and dispersed oil on these aquatic
7. Recommendations
environments have been the subject of numerous studies. The
7.1 Dispersant use in lakes and other large water bodies and
studies have involved both intentional experimental spills and
their bordering vegetation should be considered if a spill poses
studies undertaken during actual spill situations (1-4).
a significant threat to wildlife or its habitat. In evaluating the
5.2 There have been a number of studies on the impact of oil
potential for dispersant use, consideration should be given to
and oil/dispersant mixtures on microbiological systems (5-11)
the alternatives of leaving the oil untreated or the use of
and on macrobiota (12, 13).
mechanical recovery equipment. In many cases, a spill re-
sponse operation can cause serious damage to a lake or large
5.3 The principal biotic components of such water bodies
water body habitat, or a disruption of nesting and breeding
are a variety of fauna and flora. The aquatic flora include algae
activities.
(planktonic and attached) and floating or submerged vascular
plants. Terrestrial flora include grasses, moss, lichens, herbs,
7.2 Since large waves can be generated in these water
forbs, and woody plants. In deep water areas, there is little
bodies, the need to supply additional energy for the dispersant
vegetation except for algae
...

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: F1210 − 19 F1210 − 23
Standard Guide for
Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill
Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments,
Lakes and Large Water Bodies
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1210; 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 use of oil spill dispersants to assist in the control of oil spills. The guide is written with the goal of
minimizing the environmental impacts of oil spills; this goal is the basis on which the recommendations are made. Aesthetic and
socioeconomic factors are not considered, although these and other factors are often important in spill response.
1.2 Spill responders have available several means to control or clean up spilled oil. In this guide, the use of dispersants is Chemical
dispersants should be given equal consideration with other spill countermeasures. It is not considered as a “last resort” after all
other methods have failed.
1.3 This is a general guide only. Oil, as used in this guide, includes crude oils and refined petroleum products. Differences between
individual dispersants or between different oil products are not considered. The dispersibility of the oil with the chosen dispersant
should be evaluated.
1.4 The guide is organized by habitat type, for example, small ponds and lakes, rivers and streams, and land. It considers the use
of dispersants primarily to protect habitats from impact (or to minimize impacts).
1.5 This guide applies only to freshwater and other inland environments. It does not consider the direct application of dispersants
to subsurface waters.
1.6 In making dispersant use decisions, appropriate government authorities should be consulted as required by law.
1.7 This guide does not address getting regulatory approval.
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.9 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.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F20.13
on Treatment.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2019Dec. 1, 2023. Published August 2019December 2023. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20142019
as F1210F1210 – 19. –14. DOI: 10.1520/F1210-19.10.1520/F1210-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1210 − 23
1.10 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
F2532 Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of Dispersant Use
3. Significance and Use
3.1 This guide is meant to aid response teams who may use it during spill response planning and spill events.
3.2 This guide should be adapted to site specific circumstance.
4. Environment Covered—Lakes and Large Water Bodies
4.1 Lakes and large water bodies are major fresh water features that are a significant part of major water systems. They have a
dynamic near-shore ecology, and a wide mixture of animal and plants species. In northern regions, these water bodies may be partly
or completely ice-covered during part of the year but will not freeze to the bottom. Commercially important fishing and recreational
activities are frequently associated with these water bodies.
4.2 While most of these bodies are naturally occurring and exist during most of the year, some may be man-made.
4.3 The characteristics of these water bodies are:
4.3.1 Open water area greater than 10 hectares,
4.3.2 Water depths in excess of 1.5 m,
4.3.3 Soft or hard bottom with a low organic content except in shallow water areas,
4.3.4 A well defined inlet or outlet, or both, and
4.3.5 A well defined shoreline of varied characteristics such as sand beaches and rocky headlands similar to marine environments.
Some parts of the shore may be similar to those in ponds and sloughs.
5. Background
5.1 The effects of oil and dispersed oil on these aquatic environments have been the subject of numerous studies. The studies have
involved both intentional experimental spills and studies undertaken during actual spill situations (1-4).
5.2 There have been a number of studies on the impact of oil and oil/dispersant mixtures on microbiological systems (5-11) and
on macrobiota (12, 13).
5.3 The principal biotic components of such water bodies are a variety of fauna and flora. The aquatic flora include algae
(planktonic and attached) and floating or submerged vascular plants. Terrestrial flora include grasses, moss, lichens, herbs, forbs,
and woody plants. In deep water areas, there is little vegetation except for algae.
5.4 The fauna include invertebrates (molluscs, crustaceans, worms, and other similar species), fish, a variety of waterfowl and
seabirds (ducks, loons, gulls, terns, and herons), mammals, such as beaver and muskrat, and in many areas, significant human
activity. The distribution and composition of species is a function of climate, local geography, season, and soil type, and human
use of the area.
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.
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of this guide.
F1210 − 23
5.5 Human activities range from recreation and tourism, to shipping and commercial fishing. In many cases, lakes and other large
water bodies are the source of potable water for human consumption or industrial use.
6. General Considerations for Making Dispersant Use Decisions
6.1 The dispersant use decision is, in this case as most others, one of trade-offs. The use of dispersants can reduce the adverse
effects of spilled
...