ASTM E1200-24

Standard Practice for Preserving Zooplankton Samples

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 Calcium Carbonate (CaCO3) buffered formalin (3 % to 5 %) can be used as a permanent preservative for zooplankton. Lugol’s iodine solution can be used to preserve zooplankton for up to one year. Thirty percent ethanol, 30 % glutaraldehyde, or 25 % vinegar (can use 3 % acetic acid solution) can be used for more temporary storage and preservation of zooplankton samples. A 25 % vinegar solution is preferred to preserve soft-bodied planktonic coelenterates.
SCOPE
1.1 This practice describes the proper procedures for preserving zooplankton samples with either formaldehyde, ethanol, glutaraldehyde, Lugol’s iodine solution, or vinegar (acetic acid).  
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: 31-Mar-2024
• ICS: 13.060.30 - Sewage water
• Technical Committee: D19 - Water
• Drafting Committee: D19.24 - Water Microbiology

Relations

• Replaces: ASTM E1200-19 - Standard Practice for Preserving Zooplankton Samples
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM E1199-24 - Standard Practice for Sampling Zooplankton with a Clarke-Bumpus Plankton Sampler
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024
• Referred By: ASTM E1198-19 - Standard Practice for Sampling Zooplankton with Pumps
• Effective Date: 01-Apr-2024

Overview

ASTM E1200-24: Standard Practice for Preserving Zooplankton Samples provides comprehensive guidelines for the collection, handling, and preservation of zooplankton samples in aquatic environments. Issued by ASTM International, this standard outlines the procedures for using various chemical preservatives such as formaldehyde, ethanol, glutaraldehyde, Lugol’s iodine solution, and vinegar (acetic acid) to ensure the integrity of zooplankton specimens for scientific, environmental, and regulatory analysis. Preserving zooplankton samples with recommended chemicals plays a critical role in aquatic research, ecological monitoring, and water quality assessment.

Key Topics

• Preservative Selection: The standard covers the appropriate use of preservatives based on the intended duration of storage and the nature of zooplankton specimens.
  • Permanent Preservation: Calcium carbonate buffered formalin (3-5%) is recommended as a long-term preservative for most zooplankton.
  • Intermediate Preservation: Lugol’s iodine solution can preserve samples for up to one year.
  • Temporary Preservation: 30% ethanol, 30% glutaraldehyde, or 25% vinegar (or 3% acetic acid solution) are suitable for short-term storage.
  • Soft-bodied Specimens: 25% vinegar solution is preferred for sensitive planktonic coelenterates.
• Sample Handling: Details on the preparation and dilution of preservatives, as well as storage recommendations, including keeping samples in dark or closed conditions to minimize degradation.
• Safety and Compliance: Users are reminded of safety, health, and environmental considerations when handling chemicals. Relevant regulatory requirements and best laboratory practices should always be followed.
• Referenced Documents: Connections to related ASTM standards such as D1129 for water terminology and D1193 for reagent water ensure clarity and consistency in sample preservation.

Applications

The procedures outlined in ASTM E1200-24 facilitate reliable collection and preservation of zooplankton for numerous practical applications:

• Aquatic Ecosystem Monitoring: Preserved samples are vital for assessing species composition, population dynamics, and ecosystem health.
• Water Quality Testing: Accurate preservation of zooplankton supports water testing programs for lakes, rivers, and reservoirs.
• Environmental Research: Laboratories and research institutions rely on standardized methods for comparing data across studies and regulatory bodies.
• Regulatory Compliance: Following this standard helps organizations meet environmental monitoring and reporting requirements.
• Educational and Taxonomic Studies: Universities and scientific institutions use preserved specimens for teaching and biodiversity assessments.

Related Standards

The following ASTM standards are often referenced alongside ASTM E1200-24 to ensure robust water sample handling and analysis:

• ASTM D1129: Terminology Relating to Water
• ASTM D1193: Specification for Reagent Water

Adherence to these and other relevant standards ensures methodological consistency and data reliability in all areas of aquatic biology and water resource management. For the official document and detailed procedures, users are encouraged to consult the current version available through ASTM International.

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Keywords: zooplankton preservation, ASTM E1200-24, formaldehyde, ethanol, glutaraldehyde, Lugol’s iodine solution, vinegar, aquatic sample preservation, water quality, environmental monitoring

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: E1200 − 24
Standard Practice for
Preserving Zooplankton Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1200; 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 as jellyfish, are larger. Some fishes and shellfish begin their
lives as eggs or tiny larvae. These eggs and larvae are also
1.1 This practice describes the proper procedures for pre-
zooplankton.
serving zooplankton samples with either formaldehyde,
ethanol, glutaraldehyde, Lugol’s iodine solution, or vinegar
4. Summary of Practice
(acetic acid).
4.1 A zooplankton sample collected with either a qualitative
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
or quantitative sampler is preserved with formaldehyde,
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
ethanol, glutaraldehyde, Lugol’s iodine solution, or 25 %
standard.
vinegar or 3 % acetic acid, as dictated by needs of the study.
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
The preservatives are listed in order of preference.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
5. Significance and Use
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
5.1 Calcium Carbonate (CaCO ) buffered formalin (3 % to
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
5 %) can be used as a permanent preservative for zooplankton.
1.4 This international standard was developed in accor-
Lugol’s iodine solution can be used to preserve zooplankton for
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
up to one year. Thirty percent ethanol, 30 % glutaraldehyde, or
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
25 % vinegar (can use 3 % acetic acid solution) can be used for
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
more temporary storage and preservation of zooplankton
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
samples. A 25 % vinegar solution is preferred to preserve
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
soft-bodied planktonic coelenterates.
2. Referenced Documents
6. Reagents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-
tee on Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society,
3. Terminology
where such specifications are available.
3.1 Definitions:
6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined
Terminology D1129.
by Type II of Specification D1193.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
6.3 Formaldehyde Solution—37 % to 40 % aqueous.
3.2.1 zooplankton, n—plankton consisting of small animals
(Warning—Possible carcinogen.)
and the immature stages of larger animals.
6.4 Ethanol (95 %)—Dilute with water 30 mL of ethanol to
3.2.1.1 Discussion—Some of these organisms, such as min-
100 mL.
iature crustaceans and protozoans, are very small. Others, such
6.5 Glutaraldehyde—Dilute with water 30 mL of glutaral-
dehyde to 100 mL.
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 April 1, 2024. Published April 2024. Originally
approved in 1987
...

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: E1200 − 19 E1200 − 24
Standard Practice for
Preserving Zooplankton Samples
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1200; 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 describes the proper procedures for preserving zooplankton samples with either formaldehyde, ethanol,
glutaraldehyde, Lugol’s iodine solution, or vinegar (acetic acid).
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.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of terms used in this standard, refer to Terminology D1129.
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
3.2.1 zooplankton, n—plankton consisting of small animals and the immature stages of larger animals.
3.2.1.1 Discussion—
Some of these organisms, such as miniature crustaceans and protozoans, are very small. Others, such as jellyfish, are larger. Some
fishes and shellfish begin their lives as eggs or tiny larvae. These eggs and larvae are also zooplankton.
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 April 1, 2019April 1, 2024. Published April 2019April 2024. Originally approved in 1987. Last previous edition approved in 20122019 as
E1200 – 87 (2012).E1200 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/E1200-19.10.1520/E1200-24.
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.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
E1200 − 24
4. Summary of Practice
4.1 A zooplankton sample collected with either a qualitative or quantitative sampler is preserved with formaldehyde, ethanol,
glutaraldehyde, Lugol’s iodine solution, or 25 % vinegar or 3 % acetic acid, as dictated by needs of the study. The preservatives
are listed in order of preference.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 Calcium Carbonate (CaCO ) buffered formalin (3(3 % to 5 %) can be used as a permanent preservative for zooplankton.
Lugol’s iodine solution can be used to preserve zooplankton for up to one year. Thirty percent ethanol, 30 % glutaraldehyde, or
25 % vinegar (can use 3 % acetic acid solution) can be used for more temporary storage and preservation of zooplankton samples.
A 25 % vinegar solution is preferred to preserve soft-bodied planktonic coelenterates.
6. Reagents
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that all
reag
...