ASTM D4638-03(2007)

The chemical analysis of biological material, collected from such locations as streams, rivers, lakes, and oceans can provide information of environmental significance. The chemical analysis of biological material used in toxicity tests may be useful to better interpret the toxicological results.

Many aquatic biological samples, either as a result of their size, or their method of collection, are inherently heterogeneous in that they may contain occluded water in varying and unpredictable amounts and may contain foreign objects or material (for example, sediment) not ordinarily intended for analysis, the inclusion of which would result in inaccurate analysis.

Standard methods for separating foreign objects, to facilitate homogenization, will minimize errors due to poor mixing and inclusion of extraneous material.

Standardized procedures for drying provide a means for reporting analytical values to a common dry weight basis, if desired. Analyses may also be carried out or reported on a wet weight basis.

1.1 This guide describes procedures for the preparation of test samples collected from such locations as streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, estuaries, oceans, and toxicity tests and is applicable to such organisms as plankton, mollusks, fish, and plants.

1.2 The procedures are applicable to the determination of volatile, semivolatile, and nonvolatile inorganic constituents of biological materials. Analyses may be carried out or reported on either a dry or wet basis.

1.3 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. For a specific hazard statement, see 9.3.3.