ASTM International

Standard Test Method for Leaching Solid Material in a Column Apparatus
 N D4874

Annotation

This test method is a standard laboratory procedure for generating aqueous leachate from materials using a column apparatus. It provides a leachate suitable for organic analysis of semivolatile and nonvolatile compounds as well as inorganic analyses.

The column apparatus is designed and constructed of materials chosen to enhance the leaching of low concentrations of semivolatile and nonvolatile organic constituents as well as to maximize the leaching of metallic species from the solid. Analysis of column effluent provides information on the leaching characteristics of material under the conditions used in the test.

This test method provides for the passage of an aqueous fluid through materials of known mass in a saturated up-flow mode.

It is intended that the sample used in the procedure be physically, chemically, and biologically representative of the material.

This test method does not produce results that can be used as the sole basis for (1) engineering design of a disposal site, or (2) the characterization of wastes based on their leaching characteristics.

This test method has the following limitations:

Maximum particle size is 10 mm (0.4 in.). Particle size reduction is not recommended. Large-diameter material (cinders, rocks, and so forth) should be removed prior to packing the column to ensure adequate compaction.

Test materials containing densely immiscible organic material may result in phase separation and lead to column plugging.

This test method does not differentiate between dissolved constituents and sub-70- m particulates that pass through the pores of the end plates.