ASTM_D_2973_-_22.pdf

Designation:D297322Standard Test Method forTotal Nitrogen in Peat Materials1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2973;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 This test method covers a chemical test method for thedetermination of the mass percent of nitrogen in peat material.1.2 UnitsThe values stated in SI units are to be regardedas standard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.1.3 All observed and calculated values shall conform to theguidelines for significant digits and rounding established inPractice D6026.1.3.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated in this 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 this standard to consider significant digits used in analysismethods for engineering design.1.4 WarningMercury has been designated by many regu-latory agencies as a hazardous material that can cause seriousmedical issues.Mercury,or its vapor,has been demonstrated tobe hazardous to health and corrosive to materials.Cautionshould be taken when handling mercury and mercury contain-ing products.See the applicable Safety Data Sheet(SDS)foradditional information.Users should be aware that sellingmercury and/or mercury containing products into your state orcountry may be prohibited by law.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,health,and environmental practices and deter-mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.1.6 This international standard was developed in accor-dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-ization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recom-mendations issued by the World Trade Organization TechnicalBarriers to Trade(TBT)Committee.2.Referenced Documents2.1 ASTM Standards:2D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD1193 Specification for Reagent WaterD2974 Test Methods for Determining the Water(Moisture)Content,Ash Content,and Organic Material of Peat andOther Organic SoilsD3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for AgenciesEngaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock asUsed in Engineering Design and ConstructionD4753 Guide for Evaluating,Selecting,and Specifying Bal-ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil,Rock,andConstruction Materials TestingD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits and Data Re-cords in Geotechnical Data3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in thisstandard,refer to Terminology D653.4.Summary of Test Method4.1 In general terms,the nitrogen is converted into ammo-nium salts by destructive digestion of the specimen with a hot,catalyzed mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and potassiumsulfate.These salts are subsequently decomposed in a hotalkaline solution from which the ammonia is recovered bydistillation and finally determined by acidimetric titration.4.2 Specifically,a representative specimen is obtained froma representative sample and is air dried following Method B ofD2974.A portion of the air dried specimen is put in a flaskalong with mercuric oxide,potassium sulfate,and sulfuric acid.The flask is gradually heated to a boil.After boiling and1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for PlantGrowth.Current edition approved June 15,2022.Published June 2022.Originallyapproved in 1971.Last previous edition approved in 2016 as D297316.DOI:10.1520/D2973-22.2For 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.*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 StatesThis international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for theDevelopment of International Standards,Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Techn