ASTM D4542-95(2001)
(Test Method)Standard Test Method for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer
Standard Test Method for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer
SCOPE
1.1 This test method covers a rapid procedure for squeezing pore water from fine-grained soils for the purpose of determining the amount of soluble salts present in the extracted pore water.
1.2 This test method was developed for soils having a water content equal to or greater than approximately 14 %, for example, marine soils. An extensive summary of procedures for extracting pore water from soils has been presented by Kriukov and Manheim (1).
1.3 This test method is not generally applicable for determining the soluble salt content of the pore water extracted from coarse-grained soils, such as clean sands and gravels.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.
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.
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Designation:D4542 – 95 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt
Content of Soils by Refractometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4542; 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 3.2 It is necessary to minimize the time period between
samplingandtestingduetochemicalchangeswhichmayoccur
1.1 This test method covers a rapid procedure for squeezing
within the soil sample.
pore water from fine-grained soils for the purpose of determin-
ing the amount of soluble salts present in the extracted pore
NOTE 1—Hulbert and Brindle (2) and Torrance (3) have shown that
water. prolonged storage should be avoided as unpredictable and nonreproduc-
ible chemical changes may occur.
1.2 This test method was developed for soils having a water
content equal to or greater than approximately 14 %, for
4. Apparatus
example, marine soils. An extensive summary of procedures
4.1 Refractometer—A temperature compensated refracto-
for extracting pore water from soils has been presented by
meter scaled to either index of refraction or ppt (parts per
Kriukov and Manheim (1).
thousand). A typical hand held refractometer is shown in Fig.
1.3 This test method is not generally applicable for deter-
1.
miningthesolublesaltcontentoftheporewaterextractedfrom
coarse-grained soils, such as clean sands and gravels.
1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the
standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
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 appro-
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
E 832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
2.2 Federal Document:
GG-S-945a Specification for Syringe and Needle, Dispos-
able, Hypodermic, Sterile, Single Injection
FIG. 1 Typical Hand-Held Refractometer
3. Significance and Use
3.1 Thesolublesaltcontentmaybeusedtocorrecttheindex
properties of soils (water content, void ratio, specific gravity,
4.2 Soil Press—The apparatus shall conform to the require-
degree of saturation, and dry density).
ments shown in Fig. 2.
4.3 Syringe—A 25-cm syringe without needle, in accor-
dance with Fed. Std. GG-S-945a.
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
4.4 Balance—A balance capable of weighing with a sensi-
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.06onPhysical-Chemical
tivity of 60.01 g.
Interactions of Soil and Rock.
4.5 Filter Paper:
Current edition approved June 10, 2001. Published November 1995. Originally
4.5.1 A general purpose quantitative filter paper in accor-
published as D 4542 – 85. Last previous edition D 4542 – 85 (1990)e .
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to
dance with Specification E 832, Type II, Class F, for medium
this standard.
crystalline precipitates in the size range from 5 to 10 µm, with
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
an ash content of 0.13 mg/12.5-cm circle. Cut filter paper to a
Available from Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Tabor Ave.,
Philadelphia, PA, 19120. diameter of 55 mm (2.25 in.).
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D4542 – 95 (2001)
FIG. 2 Soil Press
NOTE 2—To prevent mud from circumventing the stainless steel wire
4.5.2 A general purpose quantitative filter paper in accor-
screen use flexible TFE-fluorocarbon gaskets on each side.
dance with Specification E 832, Type II, Class G, for fine
crystalline precipitates in the size range from 0.45 µm, with an
6. Sampling and Test Specimen Squeezing
ash content of 0.13 mg/12.5-cm circle. Cut filter paper to a
diameter of 25 mm (0.98 in.). 6.1 Select a representative soil sample of approximately 50
4.6 Refrigerator—Cooling unit capable of maintaining a g and place into the cylinder on top of a single sheet of 5 to
uniform temperature between 1 and 5°C. 10-µm (55-mm) filter paper.
4.7 Micro-Syringe Filter Holder—Adevice to filter a liquid
6.2 Apply pressure slowly until the first drops of water are
directly from a syringe.
expelled, then insert a clean, disposable, plastic syringe (25
4.8 100-mL Polyethylene or Glass Bottle and Cap.
mL) in the effluent passage shown in Fig. 2. This is done to
4.9 Miscellaneous Supplies—Distilled water, alcohol, di-
minimize the amount of air in the syringe and therefore, the
luted HCl (1:10), detergent, and optional sterile bags for
amount of evaporation.
sample storage (see 6.6).
6.3 Apply pressure gradually to a maximum of 80 MPa
(11 520 psi), and hold until no more water is expelled or until
5. Preparation of Apparatus
the syringe is full (see Note 3 and Note 4).
5.1 Wash all parts of the press thoroughly. Rinse twice with
6.4 Withdraw the syringe when the pressure is at a maxi-
distilled water and dry. Normally, rust should not be present,
mum and immediately expel the fluid from the syringe through
but if it is to be removed, especially inside or around the top of
a stainless steel micro-syringe holder, fitted with fresh 0.45-µm
the cylinder, scrub gently with steel wool and soap or chromic
(25-mm) filter paper, into a clean 100-mL bottle (see Note 5).
acid. Rinse well with tap water and then twice with distilled
Cap the bottle. Expose the collected water to the atmosphere as
water and dry.
little as possible.
5.2 If the press parts have been coated with rust preventive,
6.5 Repeat 6.1-6.4, using the same syringe and filter if
wash them with alcohol and rinse once with tap water and
additional water is needed for experimentation and can be
twice with distilled water.
collected. Usually about 25 mLof pore water may be collected
5.3 Dry by a method that will not contaminate the press.
from 50 g of sediment (see Note 6 and Note 7). Store the water
Clean compressed air, oven or air drying, or rinsing with
at a temperature between 1 and 5°C (see Note 8 and Sections
acetone followed by air drying are acceptable.
7 and 8).
5.4 Assemble the press.
6.6 Remove the soil from the press. If additional tests are
anticipated, store soil in a sterile plastic bag at a temperature
between 1 and 5°C (see Note 8).
An apparatus such as the stainless steel Millipore Micro-Syringe Filter Holder
XX30-025-00 is satisfactory for this purpose. NOTE 3—Only a few drops (0.05 mL) of pore fluid are required to
D4542 – 95 (2001)
conduct the soluble salt determination by refractometer. It is recom-
mended that 25 mL of pore water be collected, if possible, to allow for
retesting or additional tests, or both.
NOTE 4—KriukovandKomarova(4)havefoundthatatapressureof59
MPa (8500 psi) the chloride content drops in homogeneous soils.
Manheim(5)reportsusing101MPa(14 700psi)routinely.Anaverageof
these two recommendations is 80 MPa (11 520 psi).
NOTE 5—Polyethyleneorglassbottlesshouldbewashedwithdetergent
and rinsed with tap water. They should then be rinsed once with diluted
HCl (1:10) and twice with distilled water and then drained thoroughly.
NOTE 6—The amount of water expelled will depend on the initial water
content of the sample. For example, using a 50-g sample of moist soil and
assuming that 1 cm of liquid is required to fill the apparatus, the
following water contents are required to achieve the indicated amounts of
expelled water:
Initial Water Content Amount of Water Expelled (mL)
104 25
70 20
FIG. 3 Graph of Salinity versus Refract
...
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