ASTM_D_4542_-_15.pdf

Designation:D454215Standard Test Methods forPore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble SaltContent of Soils by Refractometer1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4542;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.1.Scope*1.1 These test methods cover a rapid procedure for squeez-ing pore water from finegrained soils for the purpose ofdetermining the amount of soluble salts present in the extractedpore water.1.2 These test methods were developed for soils having awater content equal to or greater than approximately 14%,forexample,marine soils.An extensive summary of proceduresfor extracting pore water from soils has been presented byKriukov and Manheim(1).21.3 These test methods are not generally applicable fordetermining the soluble salt content of the pore water extractedfrom coarse-grained soils,such as clean sands and gravels.1.4 Test Method A provides a procedure using a refracto-meter with a refraction index scale;Test Method B provides aprocedure using a refractometer with a parts per thousand(ppt)scale.1.5 UnitsThe values stated in SI units are to be regardedas the standard.1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated in the standard are regarded as theindustry standard.In addition,they are representative of thesignificant digits that generally should be retained.The proce-dures used do not consider material variation,purpose forobtaining the data,special purpose studies,or any consider-ations for the users objectives;and it is common practice toincrease or reduce significant digits of reported data to becommensurate with these considerations.It is beyond the scopeof these test methods to consider significant digits used inanalysis methods for engineering data.1.7 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.1.8 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:3D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for AgenciesEngaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock asUsed in Engineering Design and ConstructionD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in GeotechnicalDataE832 Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers2.2 Federal Document:GG-S-945a SpecificationforSyringeandNeedle,Disposable,Hypodermic,Sterile,Single Injection43.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definitions of common terms in this standard,referto Terminology D653.4.Significance and Use4.1 The soluble salt content may be used to correct the indexproperties of soils such as water content,void ratio,specificgravity,degree of saturation,and dry density).4.2 Minimize the time period between sampling and testingto reduce chemical changes,which may occur within the soilsample.1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.06 on Physical-ChemicalInteractions of Soil and Rock.Current edition approved Nov.1,2015.Published December 2015.Originallyapproved in 1985.Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D4542 07.DOI:10.1520/D4542-15.2The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references appended tothis standard.3For referenced ASTM standards,visit the ASTM website,www.astm.org,orcontact ASTM Customer Service at serviceastm.org.For Annual Book of ASTMStandards volume information,refer to the standards Document Summary page onthe ASTM website.4Available from Naval Publications and Forms Center,5801 Tabor Ave.,Philadelphia,PA,19120.*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standardCopyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959.United States1 NOTE1The quality of the result produced by this standard isdependent on the competence of the personnel performing it,and thesuitability of the equipment and facilities used.Agencies that meet thecriteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competentand objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc.Users of this standard arecautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensurereliable results.Reliable results depend on many factors;Practice D3740provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.NOTE2Hulbert and Brindle(2)and T