Methods for Determining Physical Soil Parameters

Parameter

Sampling Location^a

Method

r_b (soil bulk density)

Surface

ASTM-D 1556-90

Sand Cone Method^b

ASTM-D 2167-94

Rubber Balloon Method^b

ASTM-D 2922-91

Nuclear Method^b

Subsurface

ASTM-D 2937-94

Drive Cylinder Method^b

r_s (soil particle density)

Surface or Subsurface

ASTM-D 854-92

Specific Gravity of Soil^b

w (moisture content)

Surface or Subsurface

ASTM-D 4959-89 (Reapproved 1994)

Standard^b

ASTM-D D 4643-93

Microwave Oven^b

ASTM-D D2216-92

Laboratory Determination^b

ASTM-D D3017-88 (Reapproved 1993)

Nuclear Method^b

Equivalent USEPA Method (e.g., sample preparation procedures described in methods 3541 or 3550)

f_oc (fraction organic carbon content)

Surface or Subsurface

ASTM-D 2974-00

Moisture, Ash, and Organic Matter appropriately adjusted to estimate the fraction of organic carbon as stated in Nelson and Sommers (1982)^b

h or θ_T (total soil porosity)

Surface or Subsurface (calculated)

Equation S24 in Appendix C, Table A for SSL Model, or Equation R23 in Appendix C, Table C for RBCA Model, or Equation J&E16 in Appendix C, Table L for J&E Model

θ_a or θ_as (air-filled soil porosity)

Surface or Subsurface (calculated)

Equation S21 in Appendix C, Table A for SSL Model, or Equation R21 in Appendix C, Table C for RBCA Model, or Equation J&E18 in Appendix C, Table L for J&E Model

θ_w or θ_ws (water-filled soil porosity)

Surface or Subsurface (calculated)

Equation S20 in Appendix C, Table A for SSL Model, or Equation R22 in Appendix C, Table C for RBCA Model, or Equation J&E17 in Appendix C, Table L for J&E Model

K (hydraulic conductivity)

Surface or Subsurface

ASTM-D 5084-90

Flexible Wall Permeameter^b

Pump Test

Slug Test

i (hydraulic gradient)

Surface or Subsurface

Field Measurement