ASTM_D_1997_-_13.pdf

Designation:D199713Standard Test Method forLaboratory Determination of the Fiber Content of PeatSamples by Dry Mass1This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1997;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 the laboratory determination ofthe fiber content of peat(as defined in Classification D4427)bydry mass.It also may be used for non-peat organic soilmaterials.1.2 Because this test method is simple and requires nosophisticated equipment to perform,it is especially recom-mended for routine reconnaissance work,where large numbersof samples need to be tested and mineral contents are low.1.3 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded asstandard.No other units of measurement are included in thisstandard.Alternate sieve designations in parentheses are asprovided in Specification E11.Use Practice D6026 for deter-mining significant digits to report.1.4 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:2D653 Terminology Relating to Soil,Rock,and ContainedFluidsD2974 Test Methods for Moisture,Ash,and Organic Matterof Peat and Other Organic SoilsD3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for AgenciesEngaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock asUsed in Engineering Design and ConstructionD4427 Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory TestingD6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in GeotechnicalDataE11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and TestSieves3.Terminology3.1 Definitions:3.1.1 For common definitions of terms in this standard,referto Terminology D653.3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:3.2.1 fibera fragment or piece of plant tissue that retains arecognizable cellular structure and is large enough to beretained on a 150-m(No.100)sieve.Plant materials largerthan 20 mm in smallest dimension are not considered fibers.4.Summary of Test Method34.1 A known mass of intact,undried peat is soaked in adispersing agent(5%sodium hexametaphosphate)for ap-proximately 15 h.The material is then washed through a150-m(No.100)sieve(see Specification E11)by applicationof a gentle flow of tap water.The fibrous material left on thesieve is oven-dried(at 110 6 5C)until the mass does notchange more than 0.1%per hour.The mass of fiber isexpressed as a percentage of the oven-dried mass of theoriginal sample.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 assurereliable results.Reliable results depend on many factors;Practice D3740provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.5.Significance and Use5.1 The purpose of this test method is to standardize theprocedure for determining fiber content of peat by dry mass.5.2 A standard test method for determining the quantity offibers in a peat sample is necessary not only for classifyingpeats and organic soils(as in Classification D4427),but is alsoa significant parameter in predicting or defining the many end1This test method is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil andRock and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Soil as a Mediumfor Plant Growth.Current edition approved June 1,2013.Published July 2013.Originally approvedin 1991.Last previous edition approved in 2008 as D1997 91(2008)1.DOI:10.1520/D1997-13.2For 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.3This test method is a modified version of one described in:Riley,J.L.,“Laboratory Methods for Testing Peat,”Ontario Peatland Inventory Project,Ontario Geological Survey Open File Report 5572,1986,pp.2122.*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 uses of these materials.In this regard,fiber content has beenrelated to agricultural and horticultural end uses(such asmulching,soil enrichment,etc.),geotechnical measurements(such as strength,compressibility,permeability,etc.),industrialchemical uses(such as production of waxes,activated carbon,medici