ASTM_F_1481_-_94_2001.pdf

Designation:F 1481 94(Reapproved 2001)Standard Guide forEcological Considerations for the Use of Bioremediation inOil Spill ResponseSand and Gravel Beaches1This standard is issued under the fixed designation F 1481;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(e)indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.1.Scope1.1 This guide covers considerations and recommendationsfor the use of biodegradation enhancing(bioremediation)agents to assist in minimizing the impact of oil spills on sandand gravel beaches.Aesthetic and socioeconomic factors arenot considered,although these and other factors are oftenimportant in spill response.1.2 This is a general guide only,which assumes that the oilis biodegradable and that the bioremediation agent selected canbe used safely(in terms of ecological impact and humanhealth)and effectively when applied correctly and used incompliance with relevant government regulations.Oil consid-ered for bioremediation includes crude oils and certain refinedpetroleum products.1.3 This guide addresses the application of bioremediationagents alone or in conjunction with other technologies.1.4 This guide applies to freshwater,estuarine,and marinebeach environments.1.5 In making bioremediation-use decisions,appropriategovernment authorities must be consulted as required by law.1.6 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.In addition,it is theresponsibility of the user to ensure that such activity takesplace under the control and direction of a qualified person withfull knowledge of any potential or appropriate safety and healthprotocols.2.Terminology2.1 Definitions:2.1.1 aerobesorganisms that require air or free oxygen forgrowth.2.1.2 anaerobesorganisms that grow in the absence of airor oxygen,and do not use molecular oxygen in respiration.2.1.3 bioaugmentationaddition of microorganisms(pre-dominantly bacteria)to amplify the biodegradation rate oftarget pollutants.2.1.4 biodegradationchemical alteration and breakdownof a substance to usually smaller products caused by microor-ganisms or their enzymes.2.1.5 bioremediation agentsinorganic and organic com-pounds and microorganisms that enhance biological degrada-tion processes,predominantly microorganismal.2.1.6 biostimulationaddition of limiting nutrients to en-hance the rate of biodegradation of target pollutants byindigenous species(predominantly bacteria).2.1.7 ecosystemorganisms and the surrounding environ-ment combined in a community that is self-supporting.2.1.8 identificationprocess of designating an unknownorganism by comparing it with known organisms.2.1.9 indigenousnative to a given habitat or environment.2.1.10 marinerelating to the ocean.2.1.11 methemoglobinemiaacquired blood disorder lead-ing to oxygen deprivation,stupor,and death from exposure tonitrates in drinking water.2.1.12 nutrienta substance that supports organismalgrowth.2.1.13 refined petroleum productsproducts derived byway of various treatment processes from crude oil,a highlycomplex mixture of paraffinic,cycloparaffinic,and aromatichydrocarbons that contain a low percentage of sulphur andtrace amounts of nitrogen and oxygen compounds.Hydrocar-bon products made from the refining of crude oils are specifiedin Section 5 of the Annual Book of ASTM Standards.22.1.14 speciesa taxonomic category characterized by in-dividuals of the same genus that are mutually similar and areable to interbreed.2.1.15 toxicitythe property of a material,or combinationof materials,to adversely affect organisms.3.Significance and Use3.1 The purpose of this guide is to provide remediationmanagers and spill response teams with guidance on analternate means(called bioremediation)of safely and effec-tively cleaning up oil spills on beaches that takes advantage ofnatural microbial degradation processes.1This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee F20 on HazardousSubstances and Oil Spill Responseand is the direct responsibility of SubcommitteeF20.24on Bioremediation and Safety Audit.Current edition approved May 15,1994.Published July 1994.Originallypublished as F 1481 93.Last previous edition F 1481 93.2Annual Book of ASTM Standards,Vols 05.01,05.02,05.03,05.04,and 05.05.1Copyright ASTM International,100 Barr Harbor Drive,PO Box C700,West Conshohocken,PA 19428-2959,United States.3.2 This guide can be used in conjunction with otherASTMguides addressing oil spill response operations.4.General Considerations for Making Bioremediation-Use Decisions4.1 Bioremediation has been used primarily as a longer-term beach treatment tool as opposed to a first response tool.4.2 Bio