ASTM E3242-20
Standard Guide for Determination of Representative Sediment Background Concentrations

Standard No.

ASTM E3242-20

Release Date

2020

Published By

American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM)

Status

Be replaced

Replace By

ASTM E3242-23

Latest

ASTM E3242-23

Scope

1.1 This guide focuses on the approach for determination of representative sediment background concentrations used for remedial actions performed under various regulatory programs, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA). Although many of the references cited in this guide are CERCLA oriented, the guide is applicable to remedial actions performed under local, state, federal, and international cleanup programs. However, the guide does not describe requirements for each jurisdiction. The requirements for the regulatory entity under which the cleanup is performed should be reviewed to confirm compliance. 1.2 This guide provides a framework, including specific statistical and geochemical considerations, as well as case studies, demonstrating the approach to determine representative sediment background concentrations. This guide is intended to inform, complement, and support, but not supersede, local, state, federal, or international regulations. 1.2.1 This guide does not address methods and means of data collection (Guide E3163, Guide E3164.) 1.2.2 This guide is designed to apply to contaminated sediment sites where sediment data have been collected and are readily available. Additionally, this guide assumes that risk assessments have been performed, so that the contaminants/ chemicals of interest that exceed risk-based thresholds have been identified. 1.2.3 Furthermore, this guide presumes that risk-based thresholds identified are low enough to pose corrective action implementation challenges, and/or the site is subject to recontamination from ongoing anthropogenic and/or natural sources that are not controlled. In both cases, representative sediment background concentrations will be useful for determining the extent of corrective remedial actions (when used as remedial goals), evaluating risks posed by representative background concentrations, and establishing appropriate post-remedial monitoring plans. 1.3 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. 1.4 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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 1.5 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

ASTM E3242-20 Referenced Document

• ASTM D6312 Standard Guide for Developing Appropriate Statistical Approaches for Groundwater Detection Monitoring Programs
• ASTM D7048 Standard Guide for Applying Statistical Methods for Assessment and Corrective Action Environmental Monitoring Programs*， 2024-04-22 Update
• ASTM E1689 Standard Guide for Developing Conceptual Site Models for Contaminated Sites
• ASTM E178 Standard Practice for Dealing With Outlying Observations
• ASTM E3163 Standard Guide for Selection and Application of Analytical Methods and Procedures Used during Sediment Corrective Action
• ASTM E3164 Standard Guide for Contaminated Sediment Site Risk-Based Corrective Action – Baseline, Remedy Implementation and Post-Remedy Monitoring Programs*， 2023-08-01 Update

ASTM E3242-20 history

• 2024 ASTM E3242-23 Standard Guide for Developing Representative Background Concentrations at Sediment Sites—Data Evaluation and Development Methodologies
• 2020 ASTM E3242-20 Standard Guide for Determination of Representative Sediment Background Concentrations