ASTM D932-20

Standard Practice for Filamentous Iron Bacteria in Water and Water-Formed Deposits

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Filamentous iron bacteria is a general classification for microorganisms that utilize ferrous iron as a source of energy and are characterized by the deposition of ferric hydroxide in their mucilaginous sheaths. The process is continuous with these growths, and over a period of time large accumulations of slimy brown deposits can occur. Iron bacteria may clog water lines, reduce heat transfer, and cause staining; objectionable odors may arise following death of the bacteria. The organic matter in the water is consequently increased, and this in turn favors the multiplication of other bacteria.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers the determination of filamentous iron bacteria (FIB) by microscopic examination. This practice provides for the identification of the following genera of bacteria found in water and water-formed deposits: Siderocapsa, Gallionella (Dioymohelix), Sphaerotilus, Crenothrix, Leptothrix, and Clonothrix.  
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.  
1.4 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-Apr-2020
• ICS: 13.060.50 - Examination of water for chemical substances
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.24 - Water Microbiology

Relations

• Refers: ASTM D5465-16(2020) - Standard Practices for Determining Microbial Colony Counts from Waters Analyzed by Plating Methods
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2020
• Referred By: ASTM D2331-08(2022) - Standard Practices for Preparation and Preliminary Testing of Water-Formed Deposits
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020
• Referred By: ASTM C1840/C1840M-22 - Standard Practice for Inspection and Acceptance of Installed Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Storm Sewer Pipe
• Effective Date: 01-May-2020

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: D932 − 20
Standard Practice for
Filamentous Iron Bacteria in Water and Water-Formed
1
Deposits
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D932; 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 3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
Terminology D1129.
1.1 This practice covers the determination of filamentous
iron bacteria (FIB) by microscopic examination. This practice
4. Summary of Practice
provides for the identification of the following genera of
4.1 The iron bacteria are generally filamentous, typically
bacteria found in water and water-formed deposits:
found in fresh water, and frequently surrounded by a sheath
Siderocapsa, Gallionella (Dioymohelix), Sphaerotilus,
which is usually encrusted with iron or manganese, or both (1,
Crenothrix, Leptothrix, and Clonothrix.
3
2). However, Starkey (3) reports another type which is
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
classified among the true bacteria. Detection and identification
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
is accomplished by microscopic examination of sediment from
standard.
the sample.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.2 This practice provides a qualitative indication of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
density of the filamentous iron bacteria and the severity of the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
clogging problem in pipes caused by these bacteria.
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5. Significance and Use
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
5.1 Filamentous iron bacteria is a general classification for
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
microorganisms that utilize ferrous iron as a source of energy
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
and are characterized by the deposition of ferric hydroxide in
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
their mucilaginous sheaths. The process is continuous with
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
thesegrowths,andoveraperiodoftimelargeaccumulationsof
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
slimy brown deposits can occur. Iron bacteria may clog water
2. Referenced Documents
lines, reduce heat transfer, and cause staining; objectionable
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
odors may arise following death of the bacteria. The organic
D887Practices for Sampling Water-Formed Deposits matter in the water is consequently increased, and this in turn
D1129Terminology Relating to Water
favors the multiplication of other bacteria.
D1193Specification for Reagent Water
D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process 6. Apparatus
Streams
6.1 Centrifuge, complete with 250 mL conical bottles.
D5465Practices for Determining Microbial Colony Counts
3
6.2 Cover Glasses, round or square type, 19 mm ( ⁄4 in.) in
from Waters Analyzed by Plating Methods
diameter.
3. Terminology
6.3 Filter Paper or Blotter.
3.1 Definitions:
6.3.1 For 8.3.2.1 – Grade 5 (nominal 2.5 µm particle-size
retention).
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D19 on Water and
6.3.2 For 9.3 – any absorbent paper medium will suffice.
is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.24 on Water Microbiology.
6.4 Containers, sterile 1 L glass or plastic (can be autocla-
Current edition approved May 1, 2020. Published May 2020. Originally
approved in 1947. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D932– 15. DOI:
vable).
10.1520/D0932-20.
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
3
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D932 − 20
6.5 Membrane Filter, 0.45 µ nominal pore size, with appro- 8.3 Sampleconcentrationbyfollowingeither8.3.2or8.3.3.
priate filter-holding and vacuum assembly (see 9.2). 8.3.1 If the population is not sufficiently dense to be visible
to the naked eye, samples should be concentrated before
6.6 Mi
...

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: D932 − 15 D932 − 20
Standard Practice for
Filamentous Iron Bacteria in Water and Water-Formed
1
Deposits
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D932; 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 practice covers the determination of filamentous iron bacteria (FIB) by examination under the microscope. The
microscopic examination. This practice provides for the identification of the following genera of bacteria found in water and
water-formed deposits: Siderocapsa,Gallionella (Dioymohelix),Sphaerotilus,Crenothrix,Leptothrix, and Clonothrix.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.4 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:
D887 Practices for Sampling Water-Formed Deposits
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process Streams
D5465 Practices for Determining Microbial Colony Counts from Waters Analyzed by Plating Methods
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this practice, refer to Terminology D1129. Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D1129.
4. Summary of Test MethodPractice
4.1 The iron bacteria are generally filamentous, typically found in fresh water, and frequently surrounded by a sheath which is
3
usually encrusted with iron or manganese, or both (1, 2). However, Starkey (3) reports another type which is classified among
the true bacteria. Detection and identification is accomplished by microscopic examination of sediment from the sample.
4.2 This practice provides a qualitative indication of the density of the filamentous iron bacteria and the severity of the clogging
problem in pipes caused by these bacteria.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Filamentous iron bacteria is a general classification for microorganisms that utilize ferrous iron as a source of energy and
are characterized by the deposition of ferric hydroxide in their mucilaginous sheaths. The process is continuous with these growths,
and over a period of time large accumulations of slimy brown deposits can occur. Iron bacteria may clog water lines, reduce heat
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.24 on Water Microbiology.
Current edition approved Feb. 1, 2015May 1, 2020. Published March 2015May 2020. Originally approved in 1947. Last previous edition approved in 20092015 as D932 –
85 (2009). 15. DOI: 10.1520/D0932-15.10.1520/D0932-20.
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’sstandard’s Document Summary page on the ASTM website.
3
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to a list of references at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D932 − 20
transfer, and cause staining; objectionable odors may arise following death of the bacteria. The organic matter in the water is
consequently increased, and this in turn favors the multiplication of other bacteria.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Centrifuge, complete with 250 mL conical bottles.
3
6.2 Cover Glasses, round or square type, 19 mm ( ⁄4 in.) in diameter.
6.3 Filter Paper or Blotter.
6.3.1 For 8.3.2.1 – Grade 5 (nominal 2.5 μm particle-size retention).
6.3.2 For 9.3 – any absorbent paper medium will suffice.
6.4 Contain
...