Standardization News

Organophilic clay is increasingly being used in groundwater and soil remediation as an adsorptive media for organic compounds. It is now also the subject of an ASTM International standard, D7626, Test Method for Determining the Organic Treat Loading of Organophilic Clays. The standard was developed by a task group within Subcommittee D18.21 on Ground Water and Vadose Zone Investigations, part of ASTM International Committee D18 on Soil and Rock.

"The University of Wisconsin has analyzed organophilic clays marketed to the environmental industry and found that adsorption capacity is related to organic treat loading," says James Olsta, P.E., CETCO, and a D18 member.Organophilic clay can be used to build permeable barrier walls that can be installed to intercept contaminated ground water. The new standard will be used by manufacturers for quality control and engineers and regulators for construction quality assurance.

Olsta says that the task group that developed the standard, D18.21.07, plans on developing other standards for groundwater and soil remediation and invites all interested parties to participate in its activities.

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CONTACT Technical Information: Jim Olsta, CETCO • Hoffman Estates, Ill. • Phone: 847-851-1835 • E-mail: jim.olsta@cetco.com O ASTM Staff: Robert Morgan • Phone: 610-832-9732 • E-mail: rmorgan@astm.org O Upcoming Meeting: Jan. 30-Feb. 2, 2011 • January Committee Week • Baltimore, Md.