ASTM D2976-22a

Standard Test Method for pH of Peat Materials

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The pH of peat is a useful variable in determining the solubility of minerals, the mobility of ions in the peat, and assessing the viability of the peat-plant environment. pH measurements are made in both test water and a calcium chloride solution because the pH readings in test water can be modified by salts, such as fertilizer material, whereas the observed pH in calcium chloride solution is virtually independent of the initial amount of salts present in the peat. pH values obtained in a calcium chloride solution are usually about a 0.5 to 0.8 pH unit lower than measurements in test water due to release of more hydrogen ions by cation exchange. Both measurements are needed to fully define the character of the peat’s pH.  
5.2 pH measurements are used in the agricultural, environmental, geotechnical, and natural resources fields. The pH of peat materials is helpful when evaluating a peat as a topsoil or growing medium for plants.
Note 2: 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 measurement of the pH of peat materials used as a growing medium. This measurement determines the degree of acidity or alkalinity in peat materials suspended in water and a 0.01 M calcium chloride solution. Measurements in both liquids are necessary to fully define the peat’s pH. This variable is useful in assessing the viability of the peat-plant environment. This test method does not apply to peat that is in paper or construction materials. Test Method D4972 is used for pH testing of soils and Test Method G51 is used for pH testing of soils for corrosion analysis (see Note 1).
Note 1: These three standards are being intentionally kept separate for clarity at the request of the various subcommittees.  
1.2 Units—The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.3 All measured 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 and 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 analysis 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.5 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-Sep-2022
• ICS: 65.080 - Fertilizers
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.22 - Media for Plant Growth

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: D2976 − 22a
Standard Test Method for
1
pH of Peat Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2976; 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* 1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This test method covers the measurement of the pH of
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
peat materials used as a growing medium. This measurement
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
determines the degree of acidity or alkalinity in peat materials
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
suspended in water and a 0.01 M calcium chloride solution.
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Measurements in both liquids are necessary to fully define the
peat’s pH. This variable is useful in assessing the viability of
2. Referenced Documents
the peat-plant environment. This test method does not apply to
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
peat that is in paper or construction materials. Test Method
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
D4972 is used for pH testing of soils and Test Method G51 is
Fluids
used for pH testing of soils for corrosion analysis (see Note 1).
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
NOTE 1—These three standards are being intentionally kept separate for
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
clarity at the request of the various subcommittees.
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.2 Units—ThevaluesgiveninSIunitsaretoberegardedas Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
this standard. ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
Construction Materials Testing
1.3 All measured and calculated values shall conform to the
D4972 Test Methods for pH of Soils
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-
Practice D6026.
cords in Geotechnical Data
1.3.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
G51 Test Method for Measuring pH of Soil for Use in
recorded and calculated, in this standard are regarded as the
Corrosion Testing
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
3. Terminology
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
3.1 Definitions:
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
4. Summary of Test Method
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
4.1 Two similar test specimens are obtained from a repre-
methods for engineering design.
sentative sample. One specimen is mixed with test water and
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
one is mixed with a calcium chloride solution. They are then
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
thoroughly stirred and both are allowed to stand for 30 min
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
prior to testing with a pH meter.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 The pH of peat is a useful variable in determining the
solubility of minerals, the mobility of ions in the peat, and
1
Thistestmethodisunder the jurisdiction ofASTM CommitteeD18onSoiland
Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for Plant
2
Growth. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2022. Published October 2022. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2022 as D2976 - 22. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D2976-22A. 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
...

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: D2976 − 22 D2976 − 22a
Standard Test Method for
1
pH of Peat Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2976; 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 test method covers the measurement of the pH of peat materials used as a growing medium. This measurement determines
the degree of acidity or alkalinity in peat materials suspended in water and a 0.01 M calcium chloride solution. Measurements in
both liquids are necessary to fully define the peat’s pH. This variable is useful in assessing the viability of the peat-plant
environment. This test method does not apply to peat that is in paper or construction materials. Test Method D4972 is used for
pH testing of soils and Test Method G51 is used for pH testing of soils for corrosion analysis (see Note 1).
NOTE 1—These three standards are being intentionally kept separate for clarity at the request of the various subcommittees.
1.2 Units—The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.3 All measured 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 and 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 analysis 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of
regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for Plant Growth.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2022Oct. 1, 2022. Published February 2022October 2022. Originally approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 20152022 as
D2976 - 15.D2976 - 22. DOI: 10.1520/D2976-22.10.1520/D2976-22A.
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

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D2976 − 22a
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
D4972 Test Methods for pH of Soils
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical Data
G51 Test Method for Measuring pH of Soil for Use in Corrosion Testing
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
4. Summary of Test Method
4.1 Two similar test specimens are obtained from a representative sample. One specimen is mixed with test water and one is mixed
with a calciu
...