ASTM E3268-21 - Standard Guide for NAPL Mobility and Migration in Sediment—Sample Collection, Field Screening, and Sample Handling

1.1 This guide provides considerations to inform sample collection, field screening, and sample handling of sediments impacted with non-aqueous phase liquid (NAPL) to assist in data collection for the evaluation of NAPL movement in sediment. The conditions affecting NAPL emplacement and movement in sediments are significantly different than in upland soils. As such, the framework for the assessment of NAPL movement in upland soils has been determined to have limited applicability for sediments.

1.2 This guide is applicable to sediment sites where the presence or suspected presence of NAPL has been identified. Sediments are the subject media considered in this guide, not surface water or groundwater.

1.3 The goal of this guide is to provide a technical framework for sample collection, field screening, and sample handling activities used to evaluate NAPL conditions, in particular NAPL movement (that is, mobility at the pore scale and migration at the NAPL body scale) in sediments, which can be used to inform the development and selection of remedial options and post-remedial monitoring activities.

1.4 This guide discusses sample collection procedures, including direct methods (that is, core and grab samples) and indirect methods (that is, DART^®2, laser-induced florescence, and porewater samplers) for assessing NAPL presence or absence in sediment.

1.5 This guide discusses field characterization procedures for assessment of NAPL-impacted sediments including visual screening, stratification assessment, shake test, ultraviolet (UV) light test, NAPL FLUTe™3, and headspace vapor monitoring.

1.6 This guide discusses considerations to obtain samples representative of in situ conditions. This includes methods used to evaluate sediment integrity, sample retrieval from the sediment bed, core identification, sample storage onboard the vessel, sample retrieval from the coring device, sufficient sample recovery, core cutting techniques, sample removal from the core, and sample freezing/cooling considerations.

1.7 This guide discusses the objectives, approaches, and materials for the storage and transport of NAPL-impacted sediment, focusing on samples taken for laboratory NAPL mobility and geotechnical tests. Considerations include sample packaging and handling, storage temperature, and hold times.

1.8 NAPLs such as fuels, oils, coal tar, and creosote are the primary focus of this guide.

1.9 Units—The values stated in SI or CGS units are to be regarded as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard.

1.10 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.11 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.