ASTM D2974-25e1 PDF

Full title and description

St ASTM D2974-25e1 — Standard Test Methods for Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils. This document specifies Test Methods (including Methods A and B) to determine moisture (water) content, ash content, and percent organic material in peat and other organic soils such as organic clays, silts, and mucks.

Abstract

These test methods provide procedures to quantify the water (moisture) content and to determine ash content and organic material in peat and related organic soils. Two primary approaches are described for ash/organic material determinations (Method A for general classification and Method B when peat is evaluated as a fuel), and the standard references established drying and ignition conditions and reporting conventions used in classification and laboratory testing.

General information

• Status: Active (current edition in force).
• Publication date: 15 March 2025.
• Publisher: ASTM International.
• ICS / categories: ICS 65.080 (fertilizers / related agricultural categories) — classification and keywords commonly associated with the standard.
• Edition / version: D2974-25e1 (2025 edition / editorial change set e1).
• Number of pages: 4 pages.

Scope

The standard covers measurement of water (moisture) content, ash content, and organic material in peat and other organic soils (including organic clays, silts, and mucks). It provides two methods for ash/organic-material determination and outlines when to use each method (general classification versus fuel evaluation), specifies oven and furnace temperatures for drying and ignition, and indicates units, rounding/significant-digit conventions, and reference practices.

Key topics and requirements

• Determination of moisture (water) content by specified oven-drying procedures (including temperature and mass reporting conventions).
• Two methods for ash and organic material determination: Method A (for general classification) and Method B (for fuel evaluation), with specified ignition temperatures and sample pre-treatment.
• Requirements for sample preparation, reduction, and representative subsampling.
• Reporting conventions, significant digits, and units (SI preferred).
• Notes on applicability and limitations (safety and laboratory competence recommendations).

Typical use and users

Used by laboratories, environmental and geotechnical engineers, agronomy and peat-industry professionals, fuel-evaluation specialists, researchers, and regulatory agencies for classification, quality control, and fuel-assessment purposes where peat or organic soil properties (moisture, ash, organic matter) are required.

Related standards

References and related standards include Test Method D2216 (moisture in mineral soils and rock used as an alternative for some applications), Practice D6026 (significant digits and rounding), Terminology D653, and classification Standard D4427 for peat. Earlier editions of D2974 (for example D2974-14) provide historical context and prior procedures.

Keywords

peat, organic soil, moisture content, water content, ash content, organic material, percent organic matter, Method A, Method B, soil classification.

FAQ

Q: What is this standard?

A: It is ASTM D2974-25e1, a set of test methods for determining water (moisture) content, ash content, and organic material in peat and other organic soils.

Q: What does it cover?

A: Procedures for measuring moisture content and for determining ash content and percent organic material in peat and related organic soils, including two prescribed methods for ash/organic determinations and guidance on sample handling and reporting.

Q: Who typically uses it?

A: Laboratory technicians, soil and geotechnical engineers, agronomists, peat industry personnel, researchers, and regulatory or quality-control bodies evaluating peat or organic soils for classification or fuel use.

Q: Is it current or superseded?

A: The D2974-25e1 edition (published 15 March 2025) is the current active edition; a work item to revise this edition was initiated in February 2026, indicating planned updates are in progress—check with the publisher for the latest revision status.

Q: Is it part of a series?

A: It is part of ASTM Committee D18 (Soil and Rock) publications and is related to other soil/peat test methods and classification standards (for example D2216, D4427, and applicable practices/terminology standards within the D18 series).

Q: What are the key keywords?

A: peat; organic soil; moisture content; water content; ash content; organic material; percent organic matter; soil classification.