5.1 pH measurements are made in water and in calcium chloride solution because the pH readings in water can be modified by salts, such as fertilizer material, whereas the observed pH in calcium chloride solution is virtually independent of the initial amount of salts present in the soil. pH values obtained in calcium chloride solution usually run about a 0.5 to 0.8 pH unit lower than measurements in water due to release of more hydrogen ions by cation exchange.

5.2 All water used for this test method must be ASTM Type III or better. Type III water is defined by Specification D1193.

Note 1: The quality of the result produced by this standard is dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740 provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.

1.1 This test method covers the electrometric measurement of the pH of peat materials, not soil. The standard for measurement of pH in soil is Test Method D4972, nor does this cover the measurement of pH for corrosion testing, which is contained in Test Method G51. These standards are being intentionally kept separate for clarity at the request(s) of the governing sub-committees. It is a means of expressing the degree of acidity or alkalinity of peat material suspended in water and 0.01 M calcium chloride solution.

1.2 The values given in SI units are to be regarded as the standard.

1.3 The text of this standard references notes and footnotes which provide explanatory material. These notes and footnotes shall not be considered as requirements of the standard.

1.4 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026.

1.4.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/recorded or calculated, in this standard are regarded as the industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the significant digits that generally should be retained. The procedures used do not consider material variation, purpose for obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any considerations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis methods for engineering design.

1.5 This standard offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word ”Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved though the ASTM consensus process.

1.6 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.