ASTM_D_6146_-_97_2012.pdf

Designation:D614697(Reapproved 2012)Standard Guide forMonitoring Aqueous Nutrients in Watersheds1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6146;the number immediately following the designation indicates the year oforiginal adoption or,in the case of revision,the year of last revision.A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.Asuperscript epsilon()indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.INTRODUCTIONVarious forms of nitrogen and phosphorus are plant nutrients,both naturally occurring andmanmade,that can threaten water resources.Nutrients that run off or infiltrate through the soil profilecan result in unfishable and unswimmable streams,lakes,and estuaries,and unsafe surface and groundwater used for drinking.High concentrations of nitrate in drinking water are a threat to young infants,and surface waters can suffer from algal blooms,fish kills,and unpalatable and unsafe water forswimming and drinking.Nutrients are also added to watersheds via chemigation.This guide recommends a process for developing and implementing monitoring projects fornutrients in a watershed.It follows Guide D5851 with more specifics applicable to watersheds andnutrients.These guidelines are presented for use in the nationwide strategy for monitoring developedby the Intergovernmental Task Force on Monitoring(ITFM).The nationwide monitoring strategy isan effort to improve the technical aspects of water monitoring to support sound water qualitydecision-making.It is needed to integrate monitoring activities more effectively and economically toachieve a better return of investments in monitoring projects(1).2Guide D6145 is offered as a guide for monitoring actual and potential nonpoint and point sourcepollution within a watershed.The guide is applicable to surface water and ground water resources,recognizing the need for a comprehensive understanding of naturally occurring and manmade impactsto the entire watershed hydrologic system.1.Scope1.1 PurposeThis guide is intended to provide generalguidance on a watershed monitoring program directed towardthe plant nutrients nitrogen and phosphorus.The guide offers aseries of general steps without setting forth a specific course ofaction.It gives assistance for developing a monitoring programbut not a program for implementing measures to improve waterquality.1.2 This guide applies to waters found in streams and rivers;lakes,ponds,and reservoirs;estuaries;wetlands;the atmo-sphere;and the vadose and subsurface saturated zones(includ-ing aquifers).This guide does not apply to nutrients found insoils,plants,or animals.1.3 Nutrients as used in this guide are intended to includenitrogen and phosphorus in dissolved,gaseous,and particulateforms.Specific species of nitrogen include:nitrate,nitrite,ammonia,organic,total Kjeldahl,and nitrous oxide.Thespecies of phosphorus include total,total dissolved,organic,acid-hydrolyzable,and reactive phosphorus as described in(2)1.4 SafetyHealth and safety practices developed for aproject may need to consider the following:1.4.1 During the construction of sampling stations:1.4.1.1 Drillingpracticesduringmonitoringwellinstallations,1.4.1.2 Overhead and underground utilities during monitor-ing well drilling,1.4.1.3 Traffic patterns/concerns during sampling stationinstallation,1.4.1.4 Traffic patterns/concerns during surveying samplingstation locations and elevations,1.4.1.5 Drilling through materials highly contaminated withfertilizers,and1.4.1.6 Installing monitoring equipment below the soil sur-face.1.4.2 During the collection of water samples:1.4.2.1 Using acids for sample preservation,1.4.2.2 Sampling during flooding events and ice conditions,1.4.2.3 Traffic on bridges,1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on Water and isthe direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.02 on Quality Systems,Specification,and Statistics.Current edition approved July 2012.Published July 2012.Originally approved in1997.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D6146(2007).DOI:10.1520/D6146-97R12.2The boldface numbers given in parentheses refer to a list of references at theend of this standard.Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 1.4.2.4 Condition of sampling stations following floodevents,1.4.2.5 Sampling of water or soils,or both,highly contami-nated with fertilizers,1.4.2.6 Conditions of sampling stations resulting fromvandalism,1.4.2.7 Adverse weather conditions,and1.4.2.8 Transporting liquid samples.1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of thesafety concerns,if any,associated with its use.It is theresponsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3D515 Test Method for Phosphorus In Water(Withdrawn1997)4D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD1129