ASTM D4542-95(2001)

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.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 14-Sep-1995
• ICS: 13.080.10 - Chemical characteristics of soils
• Technical Committee: D18 - Soil and Rock
• Drafting Committee: D18.06 - Physical-Chemical Interactions of Soil and Rock

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM D4542-95 - Standard Test Method for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1995
• Replaced By: ASTM D4542-07 - Standard Test Method for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer
• Effective Date: 01-Jul-2007
• Referred By: ASTM D6572-21 - Standard Test Methods for Determining Dispersive Characteristics of Clayey Soils by the Crumb Test
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1995
• Referred By: ASTM D4221-18 - Standard Test Method for Dispersive Characteristics of Clay Soil by Double Hydrometer
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1995
• Referred By: ASTM D5550-23 - Standard Test Method for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Gas Pycnometer
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1995
• Referred By: ASTM D5298-16 - Standard Test Method for Measurement of Soil Potential (Suction) Using Filter Paper
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1995
• Referred By: ASTM D2216-19 - Standard Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1995
• Referred By: ASTM D4318-17e1 - Standard Test Methods for Liquid Limit, Plastic Limit, and Plasticity Index of Soils
• Effective Date: 15-Sep-1995

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:D4542 – 95 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Method for
Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt
1
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
2
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:
3
E 832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
2.2 Federal Document:
GG-S-945a Specification for Syringe and Needle, Dispos-
4
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.
3
4.3 Syringe—A 25-cm syringe without needle, in accor-
dance with Fed. Std. GG-S-945a.
1
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
1
4.5.1 A general purpose quantitative filter paper in accor-
published as D 4542 – 85. Last previous edition D 4542 – 85 (1990)e .
2
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
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 14.02.
4
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.
1

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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
5
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—Disti
...