ASTM E1689-20

Standard Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
5.1 The information gained through the site investigation is used to characterize the physical, biological, and chemical systems existing at a site. The processes that determine contaminant releases, contaminant migration, and environmental receptor exposure to contaminants are described and integrated in a conceptual site model.  
5.2 Development of this model is critical for determining potential exposure routes (for example, ingestion and inhalation) and for suggesting possible effects of the contaminants on human health and the environment. Uncertainties associated with the conceptual site model need to be identified clearly so that efforts can be taken to reduce these uncertainties to acceptable levels. Early versions of the model, which are usually based on limited or incomplete information, will identify and emphasize the uncertainties that should be addressed.  
5.3 The conceptual site model is used to integrate all site information and to determine whether information including data are missing (data gaps) and whether additional information needs to be collected at the site. The model is used furthermore to facilitate the selection of remedial alternatives and to evaluate the effectiveness of remedial actions in reducing the exposure of environmental receptors to contaminants.  
5.4 This guide is not meant to replace regulatory requirements for conducting environmental site characterizations at contaminated (including radiologically contaminated) sites. It should supplement existing guidance and promote a uniform approach to developing conceptual site models.  
5.5 This guide is meant to be used by all those involved in developing conceptual site models. This should ideally include representatives from all phases of the investigative and remedial process, for example, preliminary assessment, remedial investigation, baseline human health and ecological risk assessments, and feasibility study. The conceptual site model should be used to enable experts fro...
SCOPE
1.1 This guide is intended to assist in the development of conceptual site models to be used for the following: (1) integration of technical information from various sources, (2) support the selection of sample locations for establishing background concentrations of substances, (3) identify data needs and guide data collection activities, and (4) evaluate the risk to human health and the environment posed by a contaminated site. This guide generally describes the major components of conceptual site models, provides an outline for developing models, and presents an example of the parts of a model. This guide does not provide a detailed description of a site-specific conceptual site model because conditions at contaminated sites can vary greatly from one site to another.  
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.  
1.3 This guide is intended to apply to any contaminated site.  
1.4 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.  
1.5 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-Jul-2020
• ICS: 13.030.30 - Special wastes
• Technical Committee: E50 - Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action
• Drafting Committee: E50.04 - Corrective Action

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: E1689 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1689; 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 (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D5745 Guide for Developing and Implementing Short-Term
1.1 This guide is intended to assist in the development of
Measures or Early Actions for Site Remediation
conceptual site models to be used for the following: (1)
D6235 Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Va-
integration of technical information from various sources, (2)
dose Zone and Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous
support the selection of sample locations for establishing
Waste Contaminated Sites
background concentrations of substances, (3) identify data
E2531 Guide for Development of Conceptual Site Models
needs and guide data collection activities, and (4) evaluate the
and Remediation Strategies for Light Nonaqueous-Phase
risk to human health and the environment posed by a contami-
Liquids Released to the Subsurface
nated site. This guide generally describes the major compo-
3
2.2 EPA Documents:
nents of conceptual site models, provides an outline for
Guidance for Data Useability in Risk Assessment (Part A)
developing models, and presents an example of the parts of a
Final,Publication9285.7-09A, PB92-963356,April1992
model. This guide does not provide a detailed description of a
Guidance for Data Useability in Risk Assessment (Part B),
site-specific conceptual site model because conditions at con-
OSWER Directive 9285.7-09B, May 1992
taminated sites can vary greatly from one site to another.
Guidance for Conducting Remedial Investigations and Fea-
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to
sibility Studies Under CERCLA, OSWER Directive
be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses
9355.3-01, October 1988
are for information only.
Triad Issue Paper: Using Geophysical Tools to Develop the
1.3 Thisguideisintendedtoapplytoanycontaminatedsite.
Conceptual Site Model 2008, 542-R-08- 007
Environmental Cleanup Best Management Practices: Effec-
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
tive Use of the Project Life Cycle Conceptual Site Model
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
2011, 542-F-11-011
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4
2.3 Other Referenced Documents:
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public
Health Assessment Guidance Manual, January 2005
1.5 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard- U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, EM 200-1-12, Conceptual
Site Models, December 2012
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom- U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, EM 200-1-15, Technical
Guidance for Military Munitions Response Actions, Oc-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee. tober 2015
U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Services Center, Concep-
2. Referenced Documents
tual Site Model Checklist for Sediments, January 2013
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
3. Terminology
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 background concentration, n—the concentration of a
1
ThisguideisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeE50onEnvironmental
substance in ground water, surface water, air, sediment, or soil
Assessment, Risk Management and CorrectiveAction and is the direct responsibil-
at a source(s) or nearby reference location, and not attributable
ity of Subcommittee E50.04 on Corrective Action.
Current edition approved Aug. 1, 2020. Published September 2020. Originally
approvedin1995.Lastpreviouseditionapprovedin2014asE1689–95(2014).DOI:
3
10.1520/E1689-20. Available from DLA Document Services, Building 4/D, 700 Robbins Ave.,
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or Philadelphia, PA 19111-5094, http://quicksearch.dla.mil.
4
contact ASTM Customer Service at [e-mail]. For Annual Book of ASTM Available from U.S. Government Printing Office, Superintendent of
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on Documents, 732 N.
...

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: E1689 − 95 (Reapproved 2014) E1689 − 20
Standard Guide for
1
Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites
This standard is issued under the fixed designation E1689; 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 is intended to assist in the development of conceptual site models to be used for the following: (1) integration of
technical information from various sources, (2) support the selection of sample locations for establishing background
concentrations of substances, (3) identify data needs and guide data collection activities, and (4) evaluate the risk to human health
and the environment posed by a contaminated site. This guide generally describes the major components of conceptual site models,
provides an outline for developing models, and presents an example of the parts of a model. This guide does not provide a detailed
description of a site-specific conceptual site model because conditions at contaminated sites can vary greatly from one site to
another.
1.2 The values stated in either inch-pound or SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for
information only.
1.3 This guide is intended to apply to any contaminated site.
1.4 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.5 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
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
D5745 Guide for Developing and Implementing Short-Term Measures or Early Actions for Site Remediation
D6235 Practice for Expedited Site Characterization of Vadose Zone and Groundwater Contamination at Hazardous Waste
Contaminated Sites
E2531 Guide for Development of Conceptual Site Models and Remediation Strategies for Light Nonaqueous-Phase Liquids
Released to the Subsurface
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee E50 on Environmental Assessment, Risk Management and Corrective Action and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee E50.05 on Environmental Risk Management.
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2014Aug. 1, 2020. Published May 2014September 2020. Originally approved in 1995. Last previous edition approved in 20082014 as
E1689–95(2008).E1689–95(2014). DOI: 10.1520/E1689-95R14.10.1520/E1689-20.
2
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
1

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E1689 − 20
3
2.2 EPA Documents:
Guidance for Data Useability in Risk Assessment (Part A) Final, Publication 9285.7-09A, PB 92-963356, April 1992
Guidance for Data Useability in Risk Assessment (Part B), OSWER Directive 9285.7-09B, May 1992
Guidance for Conducting Remedial Investigations and Feasibility Studies Under CERCLA, OSWER Directive 9355.3-
01, October 1988
Triad Issue Paper: Using Geophysical Tools to Develop the Conceptual Site Model 2008, 542-R-08- 007
Environmental Cleanup Best Management Practices: Effective Use of the Project Life Cycle Conceptual Site Model 2011,
542-F-11-011
4
2.3 Other Referenced Documents:
Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, Public Health Assessment Guidance Manual, January 2005
U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, EM 200-1-12, Conceptual Site Models, December 2012
U.S. Army, Corps of Engineers, EM 200-1-15, Technical Guidance for Military Munitions Response Actions, October 2015
U.S. Naval Facilities Engineering Services Center, Conceptual Site Model Checklist for Sedimen
...