ASTM D2973-10

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation:D2973–10
Standard Test Method for
1
Total Nitrogen in Peat Materials
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2973; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope* D6026 PracticeforUsingSignificantDigitsinGeotechnical
2 Data
1.1 This test method covers a chemical test method for the
E145 Specification for Gravity-Convection and Forced-
determination of the weight percent of nitrogen in peat
Ventilation Ovens
material.
1.2 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as
3. Terminology
standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
3.1 Definitions:
standard.
3.1.1 Forcommondefinitionsoftermsinthisstandard,refer
1.3 This standard does not purport to address all of the
to Terminology D653.
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
4. Summary of Test Method
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
4.1 In this procedure, the nitrogen is converted into ammo-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. (See Practice
nium salts by destructive digestion of the sample with a hot,
D3740)
catalyzed mixture of concentrated sulfuric acid and potassium
2. Referenced Documents sulfate. These salts are subsequently decomposed in a hot
3 alkaline solution from which the ammonia is recovered by
2.1 ASTM Standards:
distillation and finally determined by acidimetric titration.
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Fluids
5. Significance and Use
D1193 Specification for Reagent Water
5.1 Nitrogen content is important as it is one of the primary
D2974 Test Methods for Moisture,Ash, and Organic Matter
plant food elements necessary for plant growth. Nitrogen is
of Peat and Other Organic Soils
present in peat as organic nitrogen, and therefore, does not
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
release nitrogen to plants as quickly as chemical fertilizers.
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
However, nitrogen from peat continues to be released for
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
several years as the organic matter decomposes.
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying
Balances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
6. Apparatus
Construction Materials Testing
6.1 For Digestion—Use Kjeldahl flasks of hard, moderately
thick, well-annealed glass with total capacity of about 800 mL.
Conduct digestion over a heating device adjusted to bring 250
1
ThistestmethodisunderthejurisdictionofASTMCommitteeD18onSoiland
mL of water at 25°C to a rolling boil in about 5 min.
RockandisthedirectresponsibilityofSubcommitteeD18.06onPhysical-Chemical
Interactions of Soil and Rock.
6.2 For Distillation—Use 800-mL Kjeldahl flasks fitted
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2010. Published November 2010. Originally
with rubber stoppers through which passes the lower end of an
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2004 as D2973–71(2004).
efficientscrubberbulkortraptopreventmechanicalcarry-over
Withdrawn in 2009 and reinstated in 2010 as D2973–10. DOI: 10.1520/D2973-10.
2
of sodium hydroxide solution during distillation. Connect the
This method is currently undergoing an extensive review byASTM Committee
D18 and additional alternative methods will be proposed.
upper end of the bulb tube to the condenser tube by rubber
3
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
tubing. Trap the outlet of the condenser in such a way as to
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
ensure complete absorption of ammonia distilled over into the
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. acid in the receiver.
*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
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D2973–10
6.3 Erlenmeyer Flask, 250 or 300-mL capacity. the as-received basis. (See Guide D4753) Determine the grams
of air-dried sample equivalent to 10.0 g of as-received sample
7. Reagents
as follows:
7.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
equivalent sample weight, g 5 (1)
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
10.0 – ~10.0 3 percent moisture removed!/100
all reagents shall conform to the specifications of the Commit-
9.2 Place the weighed sample in the digestion flask, add 0.7
tee onAnalytical Reagents of theAmerican Chemical Society,
4
g
...