This guide covers considerations and recommendations for the use of biodegradation enhancing (bioremediation) agents to assist in minimizing the impact of oil spills on sand and gravel beaches. Aesthetic and socioeconomic factors are not considered, although these and other factors are often important in spill response.

Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response, this guide was withdrawn in January 2010 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the end of the eighth year since the last approval date.

The purpose of this guide is to provide remediation managers and spill response teams with guidance on an alternate means (called bioremediation) of safely and effectively cleaning up oil spills on beaches that takes advantage of natural microbial degradation processes.

This guide can be used in conjunction with other ASTM guides addressing oil spill response operations.

1.1 This guide covers considerations and recommendations for the use of biodegradation enhancing (bioremediation) agents to assist in minimizing the impact of oil spills on sand and gravel beaches. Aesthetic and socioeconomic factors are not considered, although these and other factors are often important in spill response.

1.2 This is a general guide only, which assumes that the oil is biodegradable and that the bioremediation agent selected can be used safely (in terms of ecological impact and human health) and effectively when applied correctly and used in compliance with relevant government regulations. Oil considered for bioremediation includes crude oils and certain refined petroleum products.

1.3 This guide addresses the application of bioremediation agents alone or in conjunction with other technologies.

1.4 This guide applies to freshwater, estuarine, and marine beach environments.

1.5 In making bioremediation-use decisions, appropriate government authorities must be consulted as required by law.

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. In addition, it is the responsibility of the user to ensure that such activity takes place under the control and direction of a qualified person with full knowledge of any potential or appropriate safety and health protocols.