ASTM D4978-95(2001)

NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
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Designation: D 4978 – 95 (Reapproved 2001)
Standard Test Methods for
Screening of Reactive Sulfides in Waste
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D 4978; 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 (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 3.1.1 reactive sulfide—a compound containing sulfide that
readily forms hydrogen sulfide gas upon reaction with acid.
1.1 These test methods are applicable to the screening of
3.1.2 screening analysis—a preliminary qualitative or semi-
reactive sulfides in wastes, liquids, sludges, semisolids, and
quantitative test developed from classical qualitative and
solids by using the following methods:
quantitative techniques that is designed to efficiently give the
Sections
user parameters about a waste that will aid in determining
Test MethodA—LeadAcetate Paper 9-14
Test Method B—Gas Detector Tube 15-19
waste identification, process compatibility, and safety in han-
dling.
1.2 These test methods are not applicable in determining the
type and concentration of reactive sulfides.
4. Summary of Test Methods
1.3 These test methods are designed and intended as a
4.1 Method A: Lead Acetate Paper—A sample of waste
preliminary test to complement the more sophisticated quanti-
material is acidified. If sulfides are present in the waste,
tative analytical techniques that may be used to determine
hydrogen sulfide (H S) is evolved. In the presence of hydrogen
sulfide concentration. These test methods offer, to the user, the
sulfide, lead acetate paper changes color to silvery brown or
option and the ability to screen waste for potentially hazardous
black.
levels of reactive sulfide when the sophisticated techniques are
4.2 Method B: Gas Detector Tube—Aportion of the sample
not available and the total waste composition is unknown.
is acidified in a beaker to release sulfide as hydrogen sulfide
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
gas. The gas is funneled through a detector tube creating a
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
color stain in the tube proportionate to the concentration of
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
sulfide gas in the vapor.Adefinite color change in the detector
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
tube indicates a positive presence of sulfide.
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. Specific hazard
information is given in Section 7 and 11.3.
5. Significance and Use
2. Referenced Documents 5.1 These test methods are intended for use by waste
2 treatment, storage, disposal, and remedial facilities, in order to
2.1 ASTM Standards:
show the presence of potentially hazardous sulfide.
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water
5.2 Method B: Gas Detector Tube—This proposed test
3. Terminology
method was designed to measure gases migrating into an air
space at a height of 10 units (for example, 10 ft) from a
3.1 Descriptions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
receiving or mixing pit of 10 units square (for example, 100
ft ). In essence, the total volume of the atmosphere is approxi-
mately 10 times the surface area of the sample and test
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on
solution.
Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.05 on
Screening Methods.
6. Reagents
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 1995. Published November 1995. Originally
published as D 4978 – 89. Last previous edition D 4978 – 89.
6.1 Purity of Reagents—Reagent grade chemicals shall be
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is intended that
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
all reagents conform to the specifications of the Committee on
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website. Analytical Reagents of the American Chemical Society where
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D 4978 – 95 (2001)
such specifications are available. Other grades may be used 11.5 Asilverybrowntoblackcolorontheleadacetatepaper
provided it is first ascertained that the reagent is of sufficiently indicates the presence of sulfides and shall be recorded as
high purity to permit its use without lessening the accuracy of positive. Compare the color observed to a blank and standard
the determination. solution.
6.2 Purity of Water—Unless otherwise indicated, references 11.6 No color change to the lead acetate paper will be
to water shall be understood to mean reagent water as defined reported as negative.
by Type III of Specification D 1193.
12. Report
7. Hazards
12.1 Report the following information:
7.1 These tests should be conducted under a fume hood. 12.1.1 Sample identification,
7.2 Avoid inhalation and skin or eye contact, or both, with 12.1.2 Date of test,
all hazardous material. 12.1.3 Test procedure performed, and
12.1.4 Sample classification: positive or negative.
8. Sampling
13. Quality Control
8.1 Collect a representative sample of the waste in a sealed
container. 13.1 A quality control check sample shall be tested with
8.2 Store the sample in an operating fume hood. each batch of samples.The concentration of this sample should
8.3 The sample should be analyzed as soon as possible. reflect the action level required by the laboratory. Method or
reagent blanks, duplications, and fortification (spikes), should
TEST METHOD A—LEAD ACETATE PAPER
beperformedatanactionlevelspecifiedbythelaborat
...