ASTM D4542-15
Standard Test Methods for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer

Standard No.

ASTM D4542-15

Release Date

2015

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM D4542-22

Latest

ASTM D4542-22

Scope

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

4.2 Minimize the time period between sampling and testing to reduce 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 D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself ensure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 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 non-reproducible chemical changes may occur.

1.1 These test methods cover a rapid procedure for squeezing pore water from finegrained soils for the purpose of determining the amount of soluble salts present in the extracted pore water.

1.2 These test methods were 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).2

1.3 These test methods are 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 Test Method A provides a procedure using a refractometer with a refraction index scale; Test Method B provides a procedure using a refractometer with a parts per thousand (ppt) scale.

1.5 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.6 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026 unless superseded by these test methods.

1.6.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded and calculated i......

ASTM D4542-15 Referenced Document

• ASTM D3740 Standard Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies Engaged in the Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as Used in Engineering Design and Construction
• ASTM D6026 Standard Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical Data
• ASTM D653 Standard Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
• ASTM E832 Standard Specification for Laboratory Filter Papers

ASTM D4542-15 history

• 2022 ASTM D4542-22 Standard Test Methods for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer
• 2015 ASTM D4542-15 Standard Test Methods for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer
• 2007 ASTM D4542-07 Standard Test Method for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer
• 1995 ASTM D4542-95(2001) Standard Test Method for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer
• 1995 ASTM D4542-95 Standard Test Method for Pore Water Extraction and Determination of the Soluble Salt Content of Soils by Refractometer