ASTM D4542-15

Standard Test Methods for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 The soluble salt content may be used to correct the index properties of soils such as water content, void ratio, specific gravity, degree of saturation, and dry density).  
4.2 Minimize the time period between sampling and testing to reduce chemical changes, which may occur within the soil sample.
Note 1: 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 ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
Note 2: Hulbert and Brindle (2) and Torrance (3) have shown that prolonged storage should be avoided as unpredictable and non-reproducible chemical changes may occur.
SCOPE
1.1 These test methods cover a rapid procedure for squeezing pore water from finegrained soils for the purpose of determining the amount of soluble salts present in the extracted pore water.  
1.2 These test methods were 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).2  
1.3 These test methods are 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 Test Method A provides a procedure using a refractometer with a refraction index scale; Test Method B provides a procedure using a refractometer with a parts per thousand (ppt) scale.  
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.  
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.  
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the 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 these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.  
1.7 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.  
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

General Information

• Status: Historical
• Publication Date: 31-Oct-2015
• 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

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 − 15
Standard Test Methods for
Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt
1
Content of Soils by Refractometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4542; 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* 1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
1.1 These test methods cover a rapid procedure for squeez-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
ing pore water from finegrained soils for the purpose of
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
determiningtheamountofsolublesaltspresentintheextracted
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
pore water.
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
1.2 These test methods were developed for soils having a
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
water content equal to or greater than approximately 14 %, for
Practice D6026.
example, marine soils. An extensive summary of procedures
for extracting pore water from soils has been presented by
2. Referenced Documents
2
Kriukov and Manheim (1).
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.3 These test methods are not generally applicable for
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
determining the soluble salt content of the pore water extracted
Fluids
from coarse-grained soils, such as clean sands and gravels.
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
1.4 Test Method A provides a procedure using a refracto-
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
meter with a refraction index scale; Test Method B provides a
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
procedure using a refractometer with a parts per thousand (ppt)
Data
scale.
E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
2.2 Federal Document:
as the standard.
GG-S-945a Specification for Syringe and Needle,
4
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
Disposable, Hypodermic, Sterile, Single Injection
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.
3. Terminology
1.6.1 Theproceduresusedtospecifyhowdataarecollected/
3.1 Definitions:
recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as the
3.1.1 Fordefinitionsofcommontermsinthisstandard,refer
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
to Terminology D653.
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
4. Significance and Use
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
4.1 Thesolublesaltcontentmaybeusedtocorrecttheindex
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
properties of soils such as water content, void ratio, specific
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
gravity, degree of saturation, and dry density).
commensuratewiththeseconsiderations.Itisbeyondthescope
of these test methods to consider significant digits used in 4.2 Minimize the time period between sampling and testing
analysis methods for engineering data.
to reduce chemical changes, which may occur within the soil
sample.
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.06onPhysical-Chemical
3
Interactions of Soil and Rock. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Nov. 1, 2015. Published December 2015. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4542 – 07. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/D4542-15. the ASTM website.
2 4
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to Available from Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Tabor Ave.,
this standard. Philadelphia, PA, 19120.
*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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D4542 − 15
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
5.7 Micro-Syringe Filter Holder—Adevice to filter a liquid
5
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
directly from a syringe.
suitability of the equipme
...

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: D4542 − 07 D4542 − 15
Standard Test MethodMethods for
Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt
1
Content of Soils by Refractometer
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4542; 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 ThisThese test method coversmethods cover a rapid procedure for squeezing pore water from fine-grainedfinegrained soils
for the purpose of determining the amount of soluble salts present in the extracted pore water.
1.2 ThisThese test method wasmethods were 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
2
Kriukov and Manheim (1).
1.3 ThisThese test method ismethods are 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 Test Method A provides a procedure using a refractometer with a refraction index scale; Test Method B provides a procedure
using a refractometer with a parts per thousand (ppt) scale.
1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information
only.
1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.
1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the 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 these test methods to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering data.
1.7 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.
1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice
D6026.
2. Referenced Documents
3
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in
Engineering Design and Construction
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
E832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers
1
This test method is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.06 on Physical-Chemical
Interactions of Soil and Rock.
Current edition approved July 1, 2007Nov. 1, 2015. Published July 2007December 2015. Originally approved in 1985. Last previous edition approved in 20012007 as
D4542 – 95 (2001).D4542 – 07. DOI: 10.1520/D4542-07. 10.1520/D4542-15.
2
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended to this standard.
3
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

---------------------- Page: 1 ----------------------
D4542 − 15
2.2 Federal Document:
4
GG-S-945a Specification for Syringe and Needle, Disposable, Hypodermic, Sterile, Single Injection
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of common terms in this standard, refer to Terminology D653.
4. Significance and Use
4.1 The soluble salt co
...