ASTM F1209-23

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

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
3.1 This guide is meant to aid local and regional response teams who may use it during spill response planning and spill events.  
3.2 This guide should be adapted to site specific circumstance.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the use of oil spill dispersants to assist in the control of oil spills. The 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 The 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.  
1.8 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.  
1.9 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 F1209-19 - Standard Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments, Ponds and Sloughs
• 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 F1209-23: Standard Guide for Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments, Ponds and Sloughs provides comprehensive guidance for local and regional response teams involved in oil spill response and planning. Developed by ASTM International, this standard focuses on best practices for the use of oil spill dispersants, with the main objective of minimizing ecological impacts in sensitive freshwater and inland environments, including ponds and sloughs. The document encourages users to adapt its recommendations to site-specific circumstances and emphasizes the importance of consulting appropriate regulatory authorities during decision-making processes.

Key Topics

• Scope of Dispersant Use: The guide covers the application of chemical dispersants for crude oils and refined petroleum products in freshwater environments, specifically in ponds and sloughs. It does not include guidance for subsurface water applications.
• Equal Consideration of Countermeasures: Chemical dispersants should be considered alongside other oil spill response measures, not merely as a last resort.
• Habitat-Specific Guidance: Recommendations are organized by habitat type, recognizing the unique ecological characteristics and sensitivities of different freshwater systems.
• Ecological Impact Assessment: The standard integrates findings from laboratory and field studies of the impact of oil and oil/dispersant mixtures on local flora and fauna.
• Trade-Offs in Spill Response: Emphasizes that decisions around dispersant use often involve balancing the protection of certain ecological components against potential impacts on others.
• Requirement for Adequate Water Energy: Effective dispersion requires sufficient water movement to assist in dispersing the oil.
• Regulatory Compliance: Stresses the importance of compliance with legal requirements and consultation with government agencies when making dispersant use decisions.
• Site-Specific Adaptation: Encourages teams to tailor the guide’s recommendations to the specific conditions and ecological features of the spill site.

Applications

• Emergency Spill Response Planning: Used by local and regional response teams to plan strategies that minimize environmental harm during oil spill events in lakes, ponds, rivers, and other inland water bodies.
• Operational Spill Management: Provides practical direction for in-the-field responders to evaluate dispersant use versus alternative countermeasures, such as mechanical recovery, particularly where wildlife or habitat are threatened.
• Habitat Protection: Supports decision-making to protect or reduce harm to diverse ecosystems, including aquatic vegetation, invertebrate populations, fish, waterfowl, and mammals common to freshwater systems.
• Environmental Impact Evaluation: Reference tool for evaluating potential ecological impacts and benefits of dispersant use, considering factors such as vegetation recovery potential and microbiological community health.
• Education and Training: Serves as a foundational resource for training programs in spill response and environmental protection for hazardous substances.

Related Standards

• ASTM F2532: Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of Dispersant Use
• ASTM F20 Series: Standards under the jurisdiction of the ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response, which includes related practices and guides for spill treatment and response.
• International and Local Regulations: Recommend harmonization with laws, regulations, and guidelines issued by competent environmental and emergency authorities.

Keywords

Oil spill dispersants, freshwater oil spill response, ecological considerations, ponds, sloughs, inland water bodies, environmental sensitivity, spill countermeasures, habitat protection, ASTM F1209-23.

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ASTM F1209-23 provides essential guidance to minimize ecological damage from oil spills in inland aquatic environments by supporting informed, site-adaptable, and legally compliant decisions on dispersant use. For more information and access to related oil spill management standards, visit ASTM International.

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: F1209 − 23
Standard Guide for
Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill
Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments,
Ponds and Sloughs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1209; 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 1.9 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
1.1 This guide covers the use of oil spill dispersants to assist
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
in the control of oil spills. The guide is written with the goal of
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
minimizing the environmental impacts of oil spills; this goal is
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
the basis on which the recommendations are made. Aesthetic
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
and socioeconomic factors are not considered, although these
and other factors are often important in spill response.
2. Referenced Documents
1.2 Spill responders have available several means to control
2.1 ASTM Standards:
or clean up spilled oil. Chemical dispersants should be given
F2532 Guide for Determining Net Environmental Benefit of
equal consideration with other spill countermeasures.
Dispersant Use
1.3 This is a general guide only. Oil, as used in this guide,
includes crude oils and refined petroleum products. Differences
3. Significance and Use
between individual dispersants or between different oil prod-
3.1 This guide is meant to aid local and regional response
ucts are not considered. The dispersibility of the oil with the
teams who may use it during spill response planning and spill
chosen dispersant should be evaluated.
events.
1.4 The guide is organized by habitat type, for example,
3.2 This guide should be adapted to site specific circum-
small ponds and lakes, rivers and streams, and land. It
stance.
considers the use of dispersants primarily to protect habitats
from impact (or to minimize impacts).
4. Environment Covered—Ponds and Sloughs
1.5 This guide applies only to freshwater and other inland
4.1 Ponds and sloughs are small isolated water bodies that
environments. It does not consider the direct application of
are not part of major water systems. They have a dynamic
dispersants to subsurface waters.
ecology, and a wide mixture of animal and plant species. In
1.6 In making dispersant use decisions, appropriate govern-
northern regions, these water bodies may freeze to the bottom
ment authorities should be consulted as required by law.
and do not sustain a wide variety of aquatic species.
1.7 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
4.2 While most of these bodies are naturally occurring and
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
exist throughout the year, some may be man-made. In arid
standard.
climates, the existence of these bodies may be seasonal.
1.8 This standard does not purport to address all of the
4.3 The characteristics of these water bodies are:
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
4.3.1 Open water area of less than 10 hectares,
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4.3.2 Shallow water with a maximum depth of 1 m to 1.5 m,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
4.3.3 Soft bottom with a high organic content,
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
4.3.4 May have alkaline or acidic water,
4.3.5 No well defined inlet or outlet, and
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous
Substances and Oil Spill Responseand 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 F1209 – 19. DOI: Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
10.1520/F1209-23. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1209 − 23
4.3.6 Poorly defined shoreline consisting of floating mats of plants that grow from rhizomes or healthy portions of aerial
vegetation. tissue (sedge and willow) have a high recovery potential.
Long-term damage to root systems could, however, slow
5. Background
recovery of the vegetation in impacted areas. This may be of
less importance in areas with an elevated water table (bog
5.1 The effects of oil and dispersed oil on these aquatic
environments have been the subject of numerous studies. The lakes).
studies have involved both intentional experimental spills and
5.10 Laboratory studies of the foliar damage to moss,
studies undertaken during actual spill situations (1-6).
lichen, willow, black spruce, and sedge by dispersants indicate
5.2 There have been a number of studies on the impact of oil some damage, but this is generally not lethal. Plants treated
and oil/dispersant mixtures on microbiological systems and
with dispersants recover in most cases. However, foliar dam-
plankton (7-16). age may increase the plant’s susceptibility to pathogens.
5.3 The principal biotic components of such water bodies
5.11 Field studies on the effects of the direct spraying of
are a variety of fauna and flora. The aquatic flora include algae
plants with dispersants indicated that the short-term effect of
(planktonic and attached) and floating or submerged vascular
dispersants to individual plants was less than that incurred
plants. Terrestrial flora include grasses, moss, lichens, herbs,
through natural causes. No long-term effects were found and
forbs, and woody plants.
seasonal growth was not affected.
5.4 The fauna include invertebrates (molluscs, crustaceans,
5.12 Studies of the effects of dispersants and dispersed oil
worms), fish, a variety of waterfowl and seabirds (ducks, loons,
on the microbiological community show that the characteristics
gulls, terns, and herons), mammals, such as beaver and
of the dispersant are critical. The dispersant should have no
muskrat, and in many areas, significant human activity. There
residues or components toxic to microbes or microbial pro-
have been some studies on the effects of oil and oil/dispersant
cesses.
mixtures on fauna (17, 18). The distribution and composition
of species is a function of climate, local geography, season, and
6. General Considerations for Making Dispersant Use
soil type, and human use of the area (19).
Decisions
5.5 Studies of the effects of oil on vegetation include
6.1 The dispersant use decision is, in this case as most
laboratory work on the effects on willows, moss, lichen, black
others, one of trade-offs. The use of dispersants can reduce the
spruce, and sedge. These studies showed that the pouring of oil
adverse effects of spilled oil on certain biological species at the
directly on the vegetation was lethal to willow and moss, and
expense of other components of the ecosystem.
caused some nonpermanent damage to the other species
6.2 Guide F2532 should be followed before making a
(20-29).
decision to use dispersants in a pond or slough.
5.6 Floating leaves are wetted and penetrated by oil from
6.3 In most cases, one should focus on minimizing impact
slicks while younger floating leaves whose cuticles are intact
on the habitat. The repopulation of areas after the spill will
are more resistant to penetration by oil. Penetration occurs
occur naturally when an area becomes a suitable habitat for a
most readily in areas where there is damage to the leaf caused
given species.
by insects or mechanical abrasion.
5.7 Oil is retained in areas of dense vegetation and is 6.4 Sufficient water energy is necessary to assist in the
dispersion process.
released slowly. Dispersants applied soon after a spill appear to
speed the movement of the slick through the vegetation if there
is some water movement. Only the oil that contacts the leaves 7. Recommendations
causes some damage. Leaves and stems that are subsurface are
7.1 Dispersant use in ponds and sloughs, and their bordering
not damaged by the presence of oil. Oil slicks that are restricted
vegetation, should be considered if a spill poses a significant
to contact of the stem areas near the water surface are not very
threat to indigenous wildlife or its habitat. In evaluating the
injurious.
potential for dispersant use, consideration should be
...

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: F1209 − 19 F1209 − 23
Standard Guide for
Ecological Considerations for the Use of Oil Spill
Dispersants in Freshwater and Other Inland Environments,
Ponds and Sloughs
This standard is issued under the fixed designation F1209; 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. The 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 a “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 The 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 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.
1.8 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.
1.9 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.
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee F20.13
on Treatment.
Current edition approved July 1, 2019Dec. 1, 2023. Published July 2019December 2023. Originally approved in 1989. Last previous edition approved in 20142019 as
F1209 – 14.F1209 – 19. DOI: 10.1520/F1209-19.10.1520/F1209-23.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
F1209 − 23
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 local and regional response teams who may use it during spill response planning and spill events.
3.2 This guide should be adapted to site specific circumstance.
4. Environment Covered—Ponds and Sloughs
4.1 Ponds and sloughs are small isolated water bodies that are not part of major water systems. They have a dynamic ecology,
and a wide mixture of animal and plant species. In northern regions, these water bodies may freeze to the bottom and do not sustain
a wide variety of aquatic species.
4.2 While most of these bodies are naturally occurring and exist throughout the year, some may be man-made. In arid climates,
the existence of these bodies may be seasonal.
4.3 The characteristics of these water bodies are:
4.3.1 Open water area of less than 10 hectares,
4.3.2 Shallow water with a maximum depth of 11 m to 1.5 m,
4.3.3 Soft bottom with a high organic content,
4.3.4 May have alkaline or acidic water,
4.3.5 No well defined inlet or outlet, and
4.3.6 Poorly defined shoreline consisting of floating mats of vegetation.
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 and plankton
(7-16).
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.
5.4 The fauna include invertebrates (molluscs, crustaceans, worms), 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. There have been some
studies on the effects of oil and oil/dispersant mixtures on fauna (17, 18). The distribution and composition of species is a function
of climate, local geography, season, and soil type, and human use of the area (19).
5.5 Studies of the effects of oil on vegetation include laboratory work on the effects on willows, moss, lichen, black spruce, and
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.
F1209 − 23
sedge. These studies showed that the pouring of oil directly on the vegetation was lethal to willow and moss, and caused some
nonpermanent damage to the other species (20-29).
5.6 Floating leaves are wetted and penetrated by oil from slicks while younger floating leaves whose cuticles are intact are more
resistant to penetration by oil. Penetration occurs most readily in areas where there is damage to the leaf caused by insects or
mechanical abrasion.
5.7 Oil is retained in areas of dense vegetation and is released slowly. Dispersants applied soon after a spill appear to speed the
movement of the slick through the vegetation if there is some water movement. Only the oil that contacts the leaves causes some
damage. Leaves and stems that are subsurface are not damaged by the presence of oil. Oil slicks that are restricted to contact of
the stem areas near the water surface are not very injurious.
5.8 Field studies in northern environments have shown little long term effects of spilled oil. There have been few studies on the
effects of dispersed oil in these environments.
5.9 Although oil may cause extensive damage to vegetation growing in low-lying wetlands and shorelines of bog lakes, plants that
grow from rhizomes or healthy portions of aerial tissue (sedge and willow) have a high recovery potential. Long-term damage to
root systems could, however, slow recovery of the vegetation in impacted areas. This may be of less importance in areas with an
elevated water table (bog lakes).
5.10 Laboratory studies of the foliar damage to moss, lichen, willow, blackspruce, black spruce, and sedge by dispersants indicate
some damage, but this is generally not lethal. Plants treated with dispersants recover in most cases. However, foliar damage may
increase the plant’s susceptibility to pathogens.
5.11 Field studies on the effects of the direct spraying of plants with dispersants indicated that the short-term effect of dispersants
to individual plants was less than that incurred through natural causes. No long-term effects were found and seasonal growth was
not affected.
5.12 Studies of the effects of dispersants and dispersed oil on the microbiological community show that the characteristics of the
dispersant are critical. The dispersant should have no residues or components toxic to microbes or microbial processes.
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.
6.2 Guide F2532 should be followed before making a decision to use dispersants in a pond or sl
...