ASTM D4542-07

The soluble salt content may be used to correct the index properties of soils (water content, void ratio, specific gravity, degree of saturation, and dry density).

It is necessary to minimize the time period between sampling and testing due to chemical changes which may occur within the soil sample.

Note 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D 3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D 3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D 3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

Note 2—Hulbert and Brindle (2) and Torrance (3) have shown that prolonged storage should be avoided as unpredictable and nonreproducible chemical changes may occur.

1.1 This test method covers a rapid procedure for squeezing pore water from fine-grained soils for the purpose of determining the amount of soluble salts present in the extracted pore water.

1.2 This test method was developed for soils having a water content equal to or greater than approximately 14 %, for example, marine soils. An extensive summary of procedures for extracting pore water from soils has been presented by Kriukov and Manheim (1).

1.3 This test method is not generally applicable for determining the soluble salt content of the pore water extracted from coarse-grained soils, such as clean sands and gravels.

1.4 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard. The values given in parentheses are for information only.

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 and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D 6026.