ASTM F1231-23

Standard Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments, Rivers and Creeks

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 circumstances.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the use of oil spill dispersants to assist in the control of oil spills. This 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 This 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 F1231-19 - Standard Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments, Rivers and Creeks
• 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 F1231-23: Standard Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments, Rivers and Creeks provides guidance to response teams on the environmental management of oil spill dispersants in inland water bodies such as rivers, creeks, ponds, and small lakes. The guide, published by ASTM International, is designed to support effective spill response planning while minimizing ecological impacts. It addresses the use of chemical dispersants alongside other oil spill countermeasures, with a primary focus on protecting habitat and biodiversity in freshwater and other non-marine environments.

Key Topics

• Scope and Limitations

  • Applies specifically to freshwater and inland environments, including rivers and creeks.
  • Focuses on minimizing ecological impacts of oil spills; does not consider aesthetic, socioeconomic, or regulatory approval factors.
  • Dispersants are to be considered equally with other cleanup methods, not as a last resort.

• Environmental Context

  • Highlights the ecological diversity of inland water bodies, including various plant and animal species sensitive to oil and dispersant impacts.
  • Addresses differences in habitat types, such as shallow creeks versus deeper rivers, and how these differences affect the environmental response.

• Decision-Making Principles

  • Stresses the importance of consulting appropriate government authorities before using dispersants.
  • Recommends evaluating the dispersibility of oil types with chosen dispersants and adapting responses to site-specific circumstances.
  • Guides users to consider trade-offs, as dispersant use may benefit some ecological components while posing risks to others.

• Safety and Compliance

  • Advises users to follow safety, health, and environmental best practices and consider regulatory limitations as applicable.

Applications

• Spill Response Planning

  • Provides practical guidance for ecological protection during oil spill response in rivers, creeks, ponds, and small lakes.
  • Useful for emergency response teams needing rapid, informed decision-making.
  • Can be adapted to specific environmental conditions or regional needs.

• Assessment of Cleanup Methods

  • Supports a balanced assessment of chemical dispersants alongside mechanical and other physical recovery techniques.
  • Emphasizes habitat protection as the principal objective, taking into account the presence of sensitive species, such as fish eggs and larvae, waterfowl, and endangered plants.

• Habitat-Specific Guidance

  • Offers recommendations based on habitat characteristics, such as flow dynamics, water depth, and shoreline features.
  • Advises against dispersant use near water intakes and in areas heavily used by waterfowl.

• Minimizing Environmental Harm

  • Encourages evaluating the potential trade-offs of dispersant use versus leaving oil untreated or using mechanical recovery.
  • Addresses the role of natural ecosystem recovery in the aftermath of a spill.

Related Standards

• ASTM F2532
  Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of Dispersant Use

  • Complements F1231-23 by providing methodology to assess the overall environmental benefit of deploying dispersants.

• Other Relevant ASTM Standards

  • Guidance on hazardous substances and oil spill response developed by ASTM Committee F20.

Practical Value

By following ASTM F1231-23, response teams and environmental professionals can:

• Make informed, ecologically responsible decisions regarding oil spill dispersant use in freshwater environments.
• Balance spill mitigation objectives with the protection of sensitive habitats and biodiversity.
• Ensure adherence to international best practices and recognized safety protocols in spill response.

Keywords: oil spill, dispersant, freshwater, rivers, creeks, ecological considerations, spill response, inland environments, habitat protection, environmental sensitivity.

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: F1231 − 23
Standard Guide for
Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill
Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments,
Rivers and Creeks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1231; 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. This guide is written with the goal
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
of minimizing the environmental impacts of oil spills; this goal
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
is 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 This 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
stances.
from impact (or to minimize impacts).
4. Environment Covered—Rivers and Creeks
1.5 This guide applies only to freshwater and other inland
4.1 Rivers and creeks are moving bodies of fresh water that
environments. It does not consider the direct application of
dispersants to subsurface waters. are a significant part of major water systems. They have a
dynamic near-shore ecology and a wide variety of animal and
1.6 In making dispersant use decisions, appropriate govern-
plant species. In northern regions, these water bodies may be
ment authorities should be consulted as required by law.
partly or completely ice covered during part of the year.
1.7 This guide does not address getting regulatory approval.
Shallow rivers and most creeks may freeze to the bottom in the
winter. Commercially important fishing and recreational activi-
1.8 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
ties are frequently associated with these water bodies.
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
4.2 Rivers generally refer to large bodies of moving water,
whereas creeks are smaller bodies of flowing water.
1.9 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.3 The characteristics of these water bodies are:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.3.1 Flowing water,
4.3.2 Water depths in excess of 1 m is designated as a river,
shallower would be a creek,
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
Substances and Oil Spill Response and 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 F1231 – 19. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1231-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1231 − 23
4.3.3 A low organic content bottom except in shallow near 6.2 Guide F2532 should be followed before making a
shore still-water areas, decision to use dispersants in a river or creek.
4.3.4 A well defined source or outlet, or both, and
6.3 In most cases, one should focus on minimizing impact
4.3.5 A well defined shoreline consisting of sand beaches
on the habitat. The repopulation of areas after the spill will
and rocky headlands similar to marine and lake environments.
occur naturally when an area becomes a suitable habitat for a
given species.
5. Background
5.1 The effects of oil and dispersed oil on these aquatic
7. Recommendations
environments have been the subject of numerous studies. The
studies have involved both intentional experimental spills and
7.1 Dispersant use in rivers and creeks and their bordering
studies undertaken during actual spill situations (1-6).
vegetation should be considered if a spill poses a significant
threat to wildlife or its habitat. In evaluating the potential for
5.2 There have been a number of studies on the impact of oil
dispersant use, consideration should be given to the other
and oil/dispersant mixtures on microbiological systems (7-17)
alternatives of leaving the oil untreated or the use of mechani-
and freshwater biota (18, 19).
cal recovery equipment. In many cases, spill response opera-
5.3 The principal biotic components of such water bodies
tions can cause serious damage to a rivers and creeks habitat,
are a variety of fauna and flora. The aquatic flora include algae
or a disruption of nesting and breeding activities.
(planktonic and attached) and floating or submerged vascular
7.2 The turbulence of the flowing water may be adequate to
plants. Terrestrial flora include grasses, moss, lichens, herbs,
provide the energy for dispersion and vertical transport. This is
forbs, and woody plants. In deep water areas, there is little
certainly the case in areas where there are rapids. In many
vegetation except for algae (20-22).
cases, the water is shallow enough that the dispersed oil will
5.4 The fauna include invertebrates (molluscs, crustaceans,
reach the bottom and will have the potential to cause impact on
worms and other similar species), fish, a variety of waterfowl
the benthic community.
and seabirds (ducks, loons, gulls, terns, and herons), mammals,
such as beaver and muskrat, and in many areas, significant
7.3 The use of dispersants near water intakes is not recom-
human activity. The distribution and composition of species is
mended because there is a possibility of inducing increased
a function of climate, local geography, season, and soil type,
contamination. Dispersant application should be far enough
and human use of the area (23).
upstream of the intake so that dilution can occur before the
water is used for potable or industrial applications.
5.5 Human activities range from recreation and tourism, to
shipping and commercial fishing. In many cases, rivers and
7.4 Should waterfowl be present, either migrating or
creeks are the source of potable water for human consumption
resident, the use of dispersants may not be recommended to
and industrial use.
reduce the impact on this resource (25).
6. General Considerations for Making Dispersant Use
7.5 In some areas, the protection of fish, their eggs, larvae,
Decisions
and juveniles, is a concern. Fish larvae
...

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: F1231 − 19 F1231 − 23
Standard Guide for
Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill
Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments,
Rivers and Creeks
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1231; 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. This 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 “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 This 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 approvalapproval.
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 Response and 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 F1231F1231 – 19. –14. DOI: 10.1520/F1231-19.10.1520/F1231-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1231 − 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 circumstances.
4. Environment Covered—Rivers and Creeks
4.1 Rivers and creeks are moving bodies of fresh water that are a significant part of major water systems. They have a dynamic
near-shore ecology and a wide variety of animal and plant species. In northern regions, these water bodies may be partly or
completely ice covered during part of the year. Shallow rivers and most creeks may freeze to the bottom in the winter.
Commercially important fishing and recreational activities are frequently associated with these water bodies.
4.2 Rivers generally refer to large bodies of moving water, whereas creeks are smaller bodies of flowing water.
4.3 The characteristics of these water bodies are:
4.3.1 Flowing water,
4.3.2 Water depths in excess of 1 m is designated as a river, shallower would be a creek,
4.3.3 A low organic content bottom except in shallow near shore still-water areas,
4.3.4 A well defined source or outlet, or both, and
4.3.5 A well defined shoreline consisting of sand beaches and rocky headlands similar to marine and lake environments.
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 (1-6).
5.2 There have been a number of studies on the impact of oil and oil/dispersant mixtures on microbiological systems (7-17) and
freshwater biota (18, 19).
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 (20-22).
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 (23).
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.
F1231 − 23
5.5 Human activities range from recreation and tourism, to shipping and commercial fishing. In many cases, rivers and creeks are
the source of potable water for human consumption and 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 oil on certain biological species at the expense of other components of the ecosystem (24).
6.2 Guide F2532 should be followed before making a decision to use dispersants in a river or creek.
6.3 In most cases, one should focus on minimizing impact on the habitat. The repopulation of areas after the spill will occur
naturally when an area becomes a suitable habitat for a given species.
7. Recommendations
7.1 Dispersant use in rivers and creeks and their bordering vegetation should be considered if a spill poses a significant threat to
indigenous wildlife or its habitat. In evaluating the potential for dispersant use, consideration should be given to the other
alternatives of leaving the oil untreated or the use of mechanical recovery equipment. In many cases, spill response operations can
cause serious damage to a rivers and creeks habitat, or a disruption of nesting and breeding activities.
7.2 The turbulence of the flowing water may be adequate to provide the energy for dispersion and vertical transport. This is
certainly the case in areas where there are rapids. In many cases, the water is shallow enough that the dispersed oil will reach the
bottom and will have the potential to cause impact on the benthic community.
7.3 The use of dispersants near water intakes is not recommended because there is
...