Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples: Standard Test Methods For
Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples: Standard Test Methods For
Determining Sediment Concentration in Water Samples: Standard Test Methods For
1. Scope concentrations less than about 200 ppm. The sediment need not
1.1 These test methods cover the determination of sediment be settleable because filters are used to separate water from the
concentrations in water and wastewater samples collected from sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not
lakes, reservoirs, ponds, streams, and other water bodies. In required.
lakes and other quiescent-water bodies, concentrations of 1.6 Test Method C can be used if two concentration values
sediment in samples are nearly equal to concentrations at are required: one for sand-size particles and one for the
sampling points; in most instances, sample concentrations are combination of silt and clay-size particles. The silt-clay frac-
not strongly influenced by collection techniques. In rivers and tion need not be settleable.
other flowing-water bodies, concentrations of sediment in 1.7 These test methods must not be confused with turbidity
samples depend upon the manner in which the samples are measurements discussed in Test Method D1889. Turbidity is
collected. Concentrations in isokinetically-collected samples the optical property of a sample that causes light rays to be
can be multiplied by water discharges to obtain sediment scattered and absorbed; it is not an accurate measure of the
discharges in the vicinity of the sampling points. mass or concentration of sediment in the sample.
1.2 The procedures given in these test methods are used by 1.8 These test methods contain some procedures similar to
the Agricultural Research Service, Geological Survey, National those in Test Methods D1888 which pertains to measuring
Resources Conservation Service, Bureau of Reclamation, and particulate and dissolved matter in water.
other agencies responsible for studying water bodies. These
test methods are adapted from a laboratory-procedure manual2 1.9 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
and a quality-assurance plan.3 standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard.
1.3 These test methods include:
1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the
Sections
Test Method A—Evaporation 8 to 13
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
Test Method B—Filtration 14 to 19 responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
Test Method C—Wet-sieving-filtration 20 to 25 priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
1.4 Test Method A can be used only on sediments that settle bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
within the allotted storage time of the samples which usually
ranges from a few days to a few weeks. A correction factor 2. Referenced Documents
must be applied if dissolved-solids concentration exceeds 2.1 ASTM Standards:4
about 10 % of the sediment concentration. D1129 Terminology Relating to Water
1.5 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
sand concentrations less than about 10 000 ppm and clay D1888 Methods Of Test for Particulate and Dissolved Matter
in Water (Withdrawn 1989)5
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D19 on D1889 Test Method for Turbidity of Water (Withdrawn
Water and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D19.07 on Sediments, 2007)5
Geomorphology, and Open-Channel Flow. D2777 Practice for Determination of Precision and Bias of
Current edition approved Jan. 1, 2013. Published January 2013. Originally
approved in 1980. Last previous edition approved in 2007 as D3977 – 97 (2007).
DOI: 10.1520/D3977-97R13E01.
2 4
Guy, H. P., “Laboratory Theory and Methods for Sediment Analysis,” Tech- For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
niques of Water Resources Investigations, U.S. Geological Survey, Book 5, Chapter contact ASTM Customer Service at [email protected]. For Annual Book of ASTM
C1, 1941. Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
3
Matthes, W. J., Jr., Sholar, C., J., and George, J. R., “Quality-Assurance Plan for the ASTM website.
5
the Analysis of Fluvial Sediment,” U.S. Geological Survey Open File Report, Vol The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
90, 1990. www.astm.org.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
D3977 − 97 (2013)´1
Applicable Test Methods of Committee D19 on Water approaches, these test methods allow latitude in selecting
D4410 Terminology for Fluvial Sediment analysis methods that work best with the particular samples
D4411 Guide for Sampling Fluvial Sediment in Motion under study.
E11 Specification for Woven Wire Test Sieve Cloth and Test 4.2 Sediment-concentration data are used for many pur-
Sieves poses that include: (1) computing suspended-sediment dis-
3. Terminology charges of streams or sediment yields of watersheds, (2)
scheduling treatments of industrial and domestic water
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of water-related terms used supplies, and (3) estimating discharges of pesticides, plant
in these test methods refer to Terminologies D1129 and D4410. nutrients, and heavy metals transported on surfaces or inside
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard: sediment particles.
3.2.1 dissolved solids—soluble constituents in water. The
5. Reagents and Materials
quantity is determined by evaporating a water sample to visible
dryness at a temperature slightly below boiling. The tempera- 5.1 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references
ture is then raised to 105°C and held for about 2 h. This is to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined
followed by cooling in a desiccator and weighing the residue. by Type III of Specification D1193.
3.2.2 fluvial sediment—particles that are (a) derived from 5.1.1 Requirements can usually be met by passing tap water
rocks or biological materials and (b) transported by flowing through a mixed cation-anion exchange resin or by distillation.
water. 6. Sampling
3.2.3 sediment concentration—(a) the ratio of the mass of 6.1 Flows and concentrations in river cross sections are
dry sediment in a water-sediment mixture to the mass of the usually unsteady; consequently, in a strict sense, samples
mixture or (b) the ratio of the mass of dry sediment in a represent conditions only at the time and location of sample
water-sediment mixture to the volume of the mixture. As collection.
indicated by Table 1, the two ratios differ except at concentra-
tions less than 8000 mg/L. 6.2 A sample may consist of a single container of a
water-sediment mixtures collected at (1) a specific point in a
3.2.4 supernate—clear, overlying liquid in a sediment river cross section, (2) a specific vertical in a cross section (a
sample. depth-integrated sample), or (3) several verticals in a cross-
3.2.5 suspended sediment—sediment supported by turbulent section. If the verticals are equally spaced and the sample is
currents in flowing water or by Brownian movement. collected at equal transit rates, it is referred to as an EWI
3.2.6 tare—weights of empty containers used in analysis sample. The acronym EWI (equal-width-increment) is synony-
procedure. mous with ETR (equal-transit-rate) which appears in many
older reports. A sample may also consist of several containers
4. Significance and Use filled at different points or verticals in a cross-section. If the
4.1 Suspended-sediment samples contain particles with a containers are filled at centroids of equal discharge in a cross
wide variety of physical characteristics. By presenting alternate section, they are referred to as EDI samples. Details on
sampling are given in Guide D4411.
2
D3977 − 97 (2013)´1
FIG. 1 Alternate Forms for Recording Field and Laboratory Data for Sediment Samples
7.3 Remove the bottle caps then weigh each container along 10. Apparatus
with its water-sediment mixture to the nearest 0.5 g. Record 10.1 Evaporating Dishes or Beakers—Preweighed contain-
each reading on the corresponding bottle and on the laboratory ers of porcelain or glass with capacities of about 150 mL are
form under the heading Weight of Sample—Gross. needed for holding the sediment and water during drying.
7.4 Replace the caps then store the samples in a cool, dark 10.2 Vacuum System, trapped to prevent sample carry-over
place to minimize microbiological and algal growth. Inspect to the vacuum source during removal of supernate.
the bottles frequently; if the sediment does not settle within
about 14 days, use Test Method B (filtration procedure) for the 10.3 Drying Oven, equipped with a 90 to 120°C thermostat
analysis. If settling proceeds at an acceptably rapid rate, use is needed to control temperatures while evaporating water from
Test Methods A, B, or C. the sediment. A gravity-convection type oven is preferred but a
mechanically ventilated (forced draft) style can be used if
TEST METHOD A—EVAPORATION air-flow rates are low.
3
D3977 − 97 (2013)´1
until the curved section is near the bottom of the sample bottle. In Eq 1, DS/Va is the concentration of dissolved solids in the
Supernate enters the upward-facing end of the tube and thereby supernate (see 11.7). This concentration is multiplied by Vsto
flows away without creating currents and eddies in the sedi- obtain the dissolved-solids weight in the dry sediment (see
ment layer. Save the supernate for a dissolved-solids correction 11.5). Enter the value of DScon the laboratory form under the
factor to be determined later. heading D. S. Corr.
11.2 After decanting, about 40 to 70 mL of water-sediment 12.2 Subtract the value of DSc in 12.1 from the net weight
mixture should be left. To determine the exact volume, place determined in 11.5. Record the difference on the laboratory
the sample bottle on a level support then mark the liquid form under the second heading labeled Weight of Sediment—
surface an the outside of the bottle. Use water to wash all of the
Net. Notice each laboratory form has two rows with this
sediment and supernate into an evaporating dish, then refill the
heading.
sample bottle to the mark with water from a small graduate.
Record the volume added to the sample bottle on the sample- 12.3 Divide the Net Weight of Sediment (second entry) by
data form. the Net Weight of Sample. Both weights must be in the same
11.3 Place the evaporating dish in the oven with the units, preferably grams. Multiply the quotient by one million,
temperature set slightly below boiling. Maintain this tempera- then enter the result under the heading Conc. (ppm) on the
ture until all visible traces of water have evaporated. Then raise laboratory form.
and hold the temperature at 105°C for about 2 h. 12.4 Modern practice calls for reporting sediment concen-
11.4 Transfer the dish from the oven to the desiccator; allow trations in milligrams per litre instead of ppm as determined in
the sediment to cool to room temperature. 12.3. Conversion can be made with the aid of Table 1. For
11.5 Weigh the dish to the nearest 0.0001 g as quickly an example, consider a sediment concentration of 41 000 ppm.
possible to minimize absorption of moisture from the air. The multiplier obtained from Table 1 is 1.03; therefore, the
Record the weight of the dish and its contents and also the tare concentration is 41 000 × 1.03 = 42 400 mg/L. The equation6
weight of the dish on the laboratory form. Subtract the tare immediately following Table 1 can be used instead of the
from the gross, then record the net weight on the form. multipliers. Eq 1 is easier to use in computer programs and is
applicable to concentrations beyond the range in the table.
11.6 For nearly all sediment samples, a single drying cycle
is sufficient to obtain stable weight; however, a few samples, 7
13. Precision and Bias for Test Method A (Evaporation)
principally those containing high concentrations of organic
materials, may have to be dried a second time. If weight shifts 13.1 These precision and bias data meet requirements of
occur, the specimens should be dried and weighed a third time Practice D2777.
to verify that the weights are stable.
13.2 Samples for collaborative testing were prepared by
11.7 Determine the dissolved-solids correction factor by dispersing a specially prepared dry powder in approximately
using a volumetric pipet to transfer an aliquot (measured 350 mL of distilled water. Mixtures were shipped in sealed
volume) of supernate into an evaporating dish. Record the glass containers to the nine participating laboratories where
aliquot volume in millilitres on the laboratory form. three Youden pairs at each of three concentrations were tested.
11.8 Set the oven temperature slightly below the boiling
point of water and evaporate the supernate to visible dryness. 13.3 Bias was influenced not only by analytical procedures
Then raise and maintain the oven temperature at 105°C for at such as decanting, drying, and weighing but also by failure to
least 2 h. After this, cool the dish in a desiccator. Then weigh remove all sediment from the containers and by losing particles
the dish and its contents to the nearest 0.0001 g. Record this through dissolution.
gross weight and also the tare weight of the dish on the form. 13.4 The following table shows the precision and bias for
Subtract the tare from the gross and record the net weight of Test Method A:
dissolved solids in grams.
Concentration Concentration Standard Standard Bias,
Added, Recovered, Deviation Deviation %
12. Calculation mg/L mg/L of Test of Single
Method (St) Operator (So)
12.1 Determine the dissolved-solids correction according to
Eq 1: 10 9.4 2.5 2.3 −6
DSc 5 ~ DS/Va! 3 Vs (1) 1000 976 36.8 15.9 −2.4
100 000 100 294 532 360 0.3
where:
DSc = dissolved-solids correction, g,
DS = net weight of dissolved solids determined in 11.7, g, 6
Williams, D. T., “The Relationship of Milligrams Per Liter to Parts per
Million,” Sediment Transport Modeling, Ed. by Sam S. Y. Wang, Proceedings of the
Va = aliquot volume taken for dissolved solids in 11.7, International Symposium, American Society of Civil Engineers, August 1989, pp.
mL, and 428–433.
7
Vs = volume of supernate remaining with the sediment in Supporting data have been filed at ASTM International Headquarters and may
be obtained by requesting Research Report RR:D19-1162. Contact ASTM Customer
11.2, mL.
Service at [email protected].
4
D3977 − 97 (2013)´1
TEST METHOD B—FILTRATION 17.2 Transfer the crucible and filter to the desiccator, then,
after the parts have cooled to room temperature, weigh them to
14. Scope the nearest 0.0001 g and record the reading on the laboratory
14.1 Test Method B can be used only on samples containing form under the heading Weight of Sediment—Tare.
sand concentrations less than about 10 000 ppm and clay 17.3 While a vacuum is being applied to the bottom of the
concentrations less than about 200 ppm. The sediment need not crucible, decant supernate from the sample into the crucible.
be settleable because filters are used to separate water from the Flush the inner surfaces of the sample bottle with water to
sediment. Correction factors for dissolved solids are not complete the transfer.
required.
17.4 As filtering proceeds, inspect the filtrate. If it is turbid,
14.2 Even though a high-concentration sample may filter pour the filtrate back through the filter a second and possibly a
slowly, users should not divide the sample and use two or more third time. If the filtrate is still turbid, the filter may be leaking.
filters. Instead, the entire sample should be filtered through one In this case, substitute a new filter and repeat the process. If the
disk. filtrate is transparent but discolored, a natural dye is present;
refiltration is not necessary.
15. Summary of Test Method
17.5 When filtration is complete, place the crucible and its
15.1 The sample consisting of river water, sediment, and
contents in the drying oven set for 105°C.
dissolved solids is weighed and then filtered through a glass-
fiber disk. The disk and sediment are dried and weighed, then 17.6 When the crucible and its contents are dry, transfer to
the sediment concentration is calculated in accordance with a desiccator. After the crucible has cooled, weigh to the nearest
Section 18. 0.0001 g and record the reading on the laboratory form under
the heading Weight of Sediment—Gross.
16. Apparatus
17.7 Refer to 11.6 for a discussion of multiple drying and
16.1 Gooch Crucibles—Porcelain or borosilicate glass cru- weighing cycles.
cibles with fritted glass bases are required for holding the
filters. Capacities of the crucibles are optional; sizes in the 25 18. Calculation
to 130-mL range work best with 1-L samples. Small crucibles 18.1 Subtract Weight of Sediment—Tare from Weight of
have the advantage of requiring less oven space during drying Sediment—Gross and record the difference under the heading
and absorbing less moisture during weighing; large crucibles Weight of Sediment—Net. No dissolved-solids correction is
are needed if filtering proceeds slowly. required.
16.2 Glass-fiber Filter Disks—Filter diameter and filter 18.2 Refer to 12.3 and 12.4 for computations.
retention rating, sometimes referred to as filter pore size, are
19. Precision and Bias for Test Method B (Filtration)
critical to this analysis. The sediment that accumulates on a
filter traps some particles that are smaller than the filter’s 19.1 These precision and bias data meet requirements of
retention rating. As filtration proceeds and the sediment layer Practice D2777.
thickens, the retention rating of the sediment and filter acting as 19.2 Samples for collaborative testing were prepared by
a unit gradually decreases. Users should use filters with dispersing a specially prepared dry powder in approximately
retention ratings of 1.5 µm to agree with practices in many 350 mL of water. Mixtures were shipped in sealed glass
sediment laboratories.8 Filter diameters should equal or exceed containers to the nine participating laboratories where three
24 mm. Filters as large as 42 mm may be required to avoid Youden pairs at each of three concentrations were tested.
filter plugging at high concentrations. Record filter retention
19.3 Bias was influenced not only by analytical procedures
rating in micrometres and filter diameter in millimetres at a
such as filtering, drying, and weighing but also by failure to
convenient place on the laboratory form.
remove all sediment from the containers and by losing particles
16.3 Vacuum System—See 10.2. through dissolution.
16.4 Drying Oven—See 10.3. 19.4 The following table shows precision and bias for Test
16.5 Desiccator—See 10.4. Method B:
16.6 Laboratory Balances—See 10.5 and 10.6. Standard Standard
Concentration Concentration
Deviation Deviation Bias,
Added, Recovered,
of Test of Single %
17. Procedure mg/L mg/L
Method (St) Operator (So)
17.1 Wash the filter with water to remove soluble com-
10 8 2.6 2 −20
pounds; then dry the filter and its crucible at 105°C for at least 100 91 5.3 5.1 −9
1 h. 1000 961 20.4 14.1 −3.9
5
D3977 − 97 (2013)´1
particles small enough to pass through a sieve with 62 or filtration is used, follow the procedure in 17.1 through 17.6; if
63-µm apertures; coarse fraction refers to particles large evaporation is used, follow the procedure in 11.1 through 12.4.
enough to be retained on the sieve. The fine fraction need not
be settleable. This test method is useful when large samples 24. Calculation
must be collected in the field but only small subsamples, 24.1 Calculate the coarse-fraction concentration as:
typically 300 to 500 mL, can be shipped back to the laboratory.
C cf 5 C 3 10 6 /S (2)
21. Summary of Test Method
where:
21.1 The sample is poured onto a sieve with 62 or 63-µm Ccf = coarse fraction concentration, ppm,
openings. Analysis includes the entire coarse fraction but only C = mass of sediment in the coarse fraction, g, and
a small, measured aliquot of the fine fraction. Sieving and S = mass of entire sample, g.
aliquot extraction can be performed either at the sampling site
24.2 Calculate the fine-fraction concentration as:
or in the laboratory.
C ff 5 F 3 10 6 /W (3)
22. Apparatus
where:
22.1 Sieve, fitted with a screen fabric having 62 or 63-µm
Cff = fine-fraction concentration, ppm,
square apertures. An 8-in. diameter sieve is recommended for
F = mass of sediment in the aliquot, g, and
samples larger than 3L; a 3-in. diameter sieve is recommended W = mass of the aliquot, g.
for all other samples. (See Specification E11.)
24.3 Convert Ccf and Cff from ppm to mg/L in accordance
22.2 Splitter, for extracting an aliquot of the fines.9 with 12.4.
22.3 Additional apparatus are listed in Section 16.
25. Precision and Bias for Test Method C (Wet-Sieving-
23. Procedure Filtration)
23.1 Measure the gross and tare weight of each sample and 25.1 These precision and bias data meet requirements of
record the readings on the laboratory form. (See 7.2 and 7.3.) Practice D2777.
Hold the sieve over a beaker or large, shallow dish while
pouring the sample through the sieve. Some sediments require 25.2 Samples for collaborative testing were prepared by
vigorous rinsing with water to disaggregate clumps retained on dispersing a specially prepared dry powder in approximately
the sieve. Use a minimum amount of water, and retain in the 350 mL of distilled water. Mixtures were shipped in sealed
dish along with the fine fraction. glass containers to the nine participating laboratories where
three Youden pairs at each of three concentrations were tested.
23.2 Wash the coarse fraction from the sieve into a pre-
weighed evaporating dish. Dry, desiccate, and weigh the 25.3 Bias was influenced not only by analytical procedures
sediment in accordance with 11.3 through 11.5. Record the net such as sieving, filtering, drying, and weighing but also by
weight of the coarse fraction on the laboratory form. failure to remove all sediment from the containers and by
losing particles through dissolution.
23.3 If possible, the sample received at the laboratory
should be analyzed in its entirety, but if the sample volume is 25.4 The following table shows precision and bias for Test
unwieldy, it may be reduced by splitting. Mix the fine fraction Method C:
by vigorously shaking and stirring then, without pausing, pour Standard Standard
the mixture through the splitter and into a clean tray. Several Mixture
Part SieveConcentration
Concentration Deviation Deviation
Diameter,µ Added, Recovered, of Test of Single Bias, %
splitting passes are required if the aliquot is to consist of only Number
m mg/L mg/L Method Operator
a small fraction, typically 300 to 500 mL, of the original (St) (So)
mixture.
1 >62 (sand) 1 3.4 2.8 2.4 240
23.4 Determine the net weight of the aliquot to the nearest 1 <62 (fines) 10 8.7 4.3 2.9 −13
0.1 g and record the reading on the laboratory form. 2 >62 (sand) 9 5 5.9 1.9 −44
2 <62 (fines) 91 79 15.2 11 −13
23.5 The aliquot is usually analyzed by the filtration 3 >62 (sand) 91 107 12.3 5.9 18
method, but it can be analyzed by the evaporation method. If 3 <62 (fines) 909 832 87.2 61 −8
9
26. Keywords
A Federal Interagency Sedimentation Project US72A or a Jones Ott splitter
have been found to be satisfactory. 26.1 fluvial sediment; sediment; sediment concentration
6
D3977 − 97 (2013)´1
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