The goal of this guide is to provide recommendations for the use of biodegradation enhancing agents for remediating oil spills in terrestrial environments.

Formerly under the jurisdiction of Committee F20 on Hazardous Substances and Oil Spill Response, this guide was withdrawn in July 2012 in accordance with section 10.5.3.1 of the Regulations Governing ASTM Technical Committees, which requires that standards shall be updated by the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 treating oil spills safely and effectively on and below terrestrial surfaces.

Bioremediation is one of many available tools and may not be applicable to all situations. This guide can be used in conjunction with other ASTM guides addressing oil spill response operations, including Guide F 1481, as well as options other than bioremediation.

1.1 The goal of this guide is to provide recommendations for the use of biodegradation enhancing agents for remediating oil spills in terrestrial environments.

1.2 This is a general guide only, assuming the bioremediation agent to be safe, effective, available, and applied in accordance with both manufacturers' recommendations and relevant environmental regulations. As referred to in this guide, oil includes crude and refined petroleum products.

1.3 This guide addresses the application of bioremediation agents alone or in conjunction with other technologies, following spills on surface terrestrial environments.

1.4 This guide does not consider the ecological effects of bioremediation agents.

1.5 This guide applies to all terrestrial environments. Specifically, it addresses various technological applications used in these environments.

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

1.7 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.