This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles

for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.

Designation: D2974 − 20´1

Standard Test Methods for

Determining the Water (Moisture) Content, Ash Content, and
Organic Material of Peat and Other Organic Soils1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D2974; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

ε1 NOTE—Subsection 4.1 was editorially corrected in March 2020.

1. Scope* 1.4 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded

1.1 These test methods cover the measurement of water
(moisture) content, ash content, and organic material in peats
and other organic soils, such as organic clays, silts, and mucks.
Test Method D2216 provides for determining the water (mois-
ture) content in mineral soils and rock.
1.2 This standard has two different ways to determine the
water content of the specimen prior to determining the ash
content based on the application for which the peat or organic
soil is being used. For general classification of peat/organic
soils not being used for fuel, the water content is determined
using oven drying. For peat/organic soils being used as a fuel,
the water content is determined first by air drying followed by
oven drying.
1.3 There are two Methods, A and B, for determining the
ash content and organic material of peat or organic soils. For
general classification purposes, Method A is used to determine
the water content, ash content, and organic material. When the
peat is being used as a fuel, Method B is used to determine the
water content, ash content and organic material.
1.3.1 Method A—The ash content and organic material of
peat or organic soils is determined by igniting the oven-dried
specimen as obtained from the water content determination in
a furnace at 440 6 40°C. This method is used for general
purposes and should not be used when the peat or organic soils
are being used or evaluated for use as a fuel.
1.3.2 Method B—The ash content and organic material of
peat or organic soils is determined by igniting the air-dried then
oven-dried specimen obtained from the water content determi-
nation in a furnace at 750 6 38°C. This method is used when
the peat or organic soil is being used as or evaluated for use as
a fuel.
1
These test methods are under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D18 on Soil
and Rock and are the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.22 on Media for
Plant Growth.
Current edition approved Jan. 15, 2020. Published March 2020. Originally
approved in 1971. Last previous edition approved in 2014 as D2974 – 14. DOI:
10.1520/D2974-20E01.
as the standard. No other units of measurement are included in
this standard.
1.5 All observed and calculated values shall conform to the
guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026.
1.5.1 The procedures used to specify how data are collected/
recorded or calculated in this standard are regarded as the
industry standard. In addition, they are representative of the
significant digits that generally should be retained. The proce-
dures used do not consider material variation, purpose for
obtaining the data, special purpose studies, or any consider-
ations for the user’s objectives; and it is common practice to
increase or reduce significant digits of reported data to be
commensurate with these considerations. It is beyond the scope
of this standard to consider significant digits used in analysis
methods for engineering design.
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 appro-
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1.7 This international standard was developed in accor-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:2
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
Fluids
D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water
(Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass
2
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
the ASTM website.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard

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 D2974 − 20´1
D3740 Practice for Minimum Requirements for Agencies
Engaged in Testing and/or Inspection of Soil and Rock as
Used in Engineering Design and Construction
D4427 Classification of Peat Samples by Laboratory Testing
D4753 Guide for Evaluating, Selecting, and Specifying Bal-
ances and Standard Masses for Use in Soil, Rock, and
Construction Materials Testing
D6026 Practice for Using Significant Digits in Geotechnical
Data
3. Terminology
3.1 Definitions:
3.1.1 For definitions of common technical terms used in this
standard, refer to Terminology D653.
4. Summary of Test Methods
4.1 Method A—A peat or organic soil sample is reduced by
quartering to obtain a 50.00 610 g test specimen. A water
content determination is made by drying the test specimen in a
110°C 6 5°C oven. The loss of mass due to drying is
considered to be water. After oven drying, the test specimen is
placed in a furnace that is then gradually brought up to a
temperature of 440 6 40°C. The specimen remains in the
furnace until it is completely ashed. Then it is removed and
placed in a desiccator to cool to room temperature before
determining its mass. The substance remaining after ignition is
the ash. The water content, ash content and amount of organic
material is then calculated. This method is used for general
purposes/classification of peats and organic soils and must not
be used for peat or organic soil being used or evaluated for use
as a fuel.
4.2 Method B—A peat or organic soil sample is reduced by
quartering to obtain a 100.0 to 300.00 g test specimen. A water
content determination is made by first air drying the test
specimen, then taking 50.00 6 10 g of air-dried peat/organic
soil and then oven drying it in a 110°C 6 5°C oven. After oven
drying, the test specimen is placed in a furnace that is then
gradually brought up to a temperature of 750°C 6 38°C. The
specimen remains in the furnace until it is completely ashed.
Then it is removed and placed in a desiccator to cool to room
temperature before determining its mass. The substance re-
maining after ignition is the ash. The water content, ash content
and amount of organic material is then calculated. This method
is used when the peat or organic soil is to be used as fuel.
5. Significance and Use
5.1 This standard is used in various industries including, but
not limited to, agriculture, forestry, energy, horticulture, and
geotechnical. Over the years, the use of peat as a fuel has been
on the decline for numerous reasons, however it is still being
used as a fuel in some parts of the world. Peat typically has
high a water content, thus when being used as a fuel, the peat
must first be air dried in order to reduce the water content.
When the peat it too wet, it doesn’t burn well and much heat is
wasted in unnecessary conversion of water to steam and more
smoke/soot is created, which can coat a chimney and pose a
danger to the end user.
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5.2 The ash content and percent organic material are impor-
tant in the following: (1) classifying peat or other organic soil,
(2) geotechnical and general classification purposes, and (3)
when peats are being evaluated as a fuel. The ash content is one
of several parameters used to classify peat as detailed in
Classification D4427.
NOTE 1—The quality of the result produced by this standard is
dependent on the competence of the personnel performing it, and the
suitability of the equipment and facilities used. Agencies that meet the
criteria of Practice D3740 are generally considered capable of competent
and objective testing/sampling/inspection/etc. Users of this standard are
cautioned that compliance with Practice D3740 does not in itself assure
reliable results. Reliable results depend on many factors; Practice D3740
provides a means of evaluating some of those factors.
6. Apparatus
6.1 Drying Oven—Vented, thermostatically controlled oven
capable of maintaining a uniform temperature of 110 6 5°C
throughout the drying chamber. The oven shall not have any
“hot spots” that could ignite the specimen. The uniformity of
the oven’s temperature shall be verified annually and the
temperature should be checked or monitored as detailed in Test
Method D2216 (Note 2).
NOTE 2—The temperature of the drying oven is very important for
organic soils. Hot spots in the oven could ignite the specimen. Care should
be taken when monitoring the oven’s temperature and placement of the
specimens within the oven to avoid possible ignition.
6.2 Thermometric Device—A thermometric device(s) ca-
pable of measuring the temperature of the drying oven and the
furnace readable to 1°C or better and having an accuracy of at
least 61°C.
6.3 Furnace—An ignition oven or furnace capable of pro-
ducing constant temperatures of 440 6 40°C and 750 6 38°C.
6.4 Balance or Scale, Balances/Scales shall conform to the
requirements of Guide D4753. The balance/scale must have a
minimum capacity of 500 g and have a readability without
estimation of of 0.01 g.
6.5 Non-Absorbent Surface—A rubber sheet, oil cloth, or
other similar non-absorbent material/surface.
6.6 Container—A porcelain or high-silica crucible,
container, or dish having a capacity of 100 mL or more is
acceptable provided its mass does not change under the
ignition condition. The container must have a cover. A lid is
recommended, however heavy duty aluminum foil is accept-
able for use as a cover.
6.7 Large Pan—A 330 by 230 mm or larger flat pan or tray.
6.8 Desiccator—A desiccant containing device of suitable
size used to prevent moisture gain during cooling of the
oven-dried specimen.
6.9 Miscellaneous Items—Items such as, water-proof
containers, spoons, spatulas are useful.
7. Sampling and Test Specimens
7.1 These test methods do not address, in any detail,
procurement of the sample. It is assumed the sample is
obtained using appropriate methods and is representative of the
peat or organic soil under evaluation.
 D2974 − 20´1
7.2 Work rapidly to prevent changes in water content or normal workday to allow air exposure to the whole specimen.
perform the sample and specimen preparation in an environ- Continue drying until there is ≤0.1 % change in mass per hour.
ment where the humidity is high (>50 %). Place the sample on Record the mass determinations taken to confirm the change in
a non-absorbent surface, such as a rubber sheet or oil cloth and mass has been achieved.
mix thoroughly. Use quartering to obtain a representative 8.2.4 Once the drying is complete as determined in 8.2.3,
sample that will yield 300 g or more. Put any unused sample in determine and record the air-dried mass of the specimen plus
a tightly-sealed, labeled, waterproof container. pan, Mpds, to the nearest 0.01 g.
7.3 Reduce the representative sample to obtain the test 8.2.5 Determine and record the mass of a container, Mc,
specimen by quartering. The mass of the test specimen for fitted with a lid or a heavy-duty aluminum foil cover to the
Method A is 50.00 6 10 g and for Method B is 100.00 to nearest 0.01 g.
300.00 g. Then immediately, place the test specimen and the 8.2.6 Thoroughly mix the air-dried specimen and take 50.00
unused representative sample in separate tightly-sealed, 6 10 g of the air-dried specimen and place it in the container.
labeled, waterproof containers. Determine and record the mass of the air-dried specimen plus
container with lid/cover, Mcad, to the nearest 0.01 g.
8. Procedure 8.2.7 Follow the steps given in 8.1.3 through 8.1.5 except
that the furnace temperature shall be 750 6 38°C.
8.1 Method A (General Classification):
8.1.1 Determine and record the mass of a container, Mc, 9. Calculations
fitted with a lid or a heavy-duty aluminum foil cover to the
nearest 0.01 g. 9.1 Calculate the water content, w, for Method A using the
8.1.2 Place the test specimen obtained in 7.3 in the con- following equation. This water content is referred to as the
tainer. Crush soft lumps with a spoon or spatula. The thickness water content as a percentage of oven-dried mass.
of peat or organic soil in the container should not exceed 30 Mw ~ M cms 2 M cds !
w5 3 100 5 3 100 (1)
mm. Determine and record the moist mass of the test specimen Ms ~ M cds 2 M c !
plus container fitted with lid/cover, Mcms, to the nearest 0.01 g.
where:
8.1.3 Place the container in the oven and dry uncovered for
a minimum of 16 h at 110 6 5°C or until there is less than 0.1% w = water content, nearest 1 % for w <100 %; 5 % for w
change in mass of the test specimen per hour. Remove from the 100-500 %; 10 % for w 501-1000 %; 20 % for w
oven, cover tightly, and allow the test specimen to cool in a >1000 %,
desiccator to room temperature. Determine and record the mass Mw = mass of water (Mw =Mcms–Mcds), nearest 0.01 g,
of the oven-dried test specimen plus container with lid/cover, Ms = mass of oven-dried specimen (Ms =Mcds–Mc), near-
Mcds, to the nearest 0.01 g keeping exposure to the room est 0.01 g,
Mcms = mass of container with lid plus moist specimen,
atmosphere to a minimum.
nearest 0.01 g,
8.1.4 Remove the lid/cover and place the container with the
Mcds = mass of container with lid plus oven-dried specimen,
test specimen in a furnace. Gradually bring the temperature in
nearest 0.01 g, and
the furnace to 440 6 40°C. Record the test temperature of the Mc = mass of container plus lid, nearest 0.01 g
furnace to the nearest 1°C. Once this temperature is reached, do
not remove the container for a period of at least 1 h. The 9.2 Calculation the water content, wa, for Method B using
specimen is considered completely ashed once there is no the following equation. This water content is referred to as the
change in mass, which occurs after at least 1 h in the oven at water content of the air-dried specimen as a percentage of
temperature. Record the period of time in the furnace to the oven-dried mass.
nearest 15 min. M as 2 M s
8.1.5 After the specimen is completely ashed, remove the wa 5 3 100 (2)
Ms
container from the furnace and carefully place the lid/cover on
the container and place it in the desiccator. Allow it to come to where:
room temperature making sure to keep the exposure to the wa = water content, nearest 1 % for wa <100 %; 5 % for
room atmosphere to a minimum. Then, determine and record wa 100-500 %; 10 % for wa 501-1000 %; 20 % for
the mass of the container with lid/cover plus the ashed wa >1000 %,
specimen, Mcas, to the nearest 0.01 g. Mas = Mass of air-dried specimen (Mas =Mcad–Mc), nearest
0.01 g, and
8.2 Method B (Fuel Use): Mcad = Mass of air-dried specimen plus container with
8.2.1 Determine and record the mass of the large flat pan, lid/cover, nearest 0.01 g
Mp, to the nearest 0.01 g.
8.2.2 Spread the test specimen obtained in 7.3 out evenly on 9.3 Calculate the ash content as follows:
the large flat pan or tray. Crush soft lumps with a spoon or Ma ~ M cas 2 M c !
Ac 5 3 100 5 3 100 (3)
spatula. The thickness of peat or organic soil on the pan should Ms ~ M cds 2 M c !
not exceed 30 mm. Determine and record the mass of the test
where:
specimen plus pan, Mpms, to the nearest 0.01 g.
8.2.3 Allow the specimen to come to moisture equilibrium Ac = ash content, nearest 0.1 %,
with room air for at least 24 h. Stir occasionally during the Ma = mass of ash (Ma =Mcas–Mc), nearest 0.01 g, and

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 D2974 − 20´1
Mcas = mass of container with lid plus ashed specimen,
nearest 0.01 g.
9.4 Calculate the organic material using the following
equation:
O m 5 100 2 A c (4)
where:
Om = organic material, nearest 0.1 %
10. Report: Test Data Sheet(s)/Form(s)
10.1 The methodology used to specify how data are re-
corded on the test data sheet(s)/form(s), as follows, is covered
in 1.5 and in Practice D6026.
10.2 Record as a minimum the following general informa-
tion (data):
10.2.1 Identification of the peat or organic soil being tested,
such as project number or identification, boring number,
sample number, and depth.
10.2.2 Test number, if any, testing dates and the initials of
the person(s) who performed the test.
10.2.3 Any special selection and preparation process, such
as removal of gravel or other materials.
10.3 Record as a minimum the following test specimen
data:
10.3.1 Method used, A or B.
10.3.2 Furnace temperature used for ash content determi-
nations.
SUMMARY OF CHANGES
Committee D18 has identified the location of selected changes to this standard since the last issue
(D2974 – 14) that may impact the use of this standard. (Approved January 15, 2020)
(1) Changed from four methods (A, B, C, D) to two (A, B)
incorporated former Methods A and B into former methods C
and D. All four original methods still exist within the standard.
(2) Section 1: Reorganized with updates to reflect the change to
two methods.
(3) Section 2: Added D4427 and removed E145 and D2944
(D2944 was not previously referenced in the text).
(4) Significant changes to Summary of Test section.
(5) Subsection 5.1 was replaced with new text; added D4427 to
5.2.
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10.3.3 Duration of specimen in the furnace.
10.3.4 The mass of the container with lid, moist mass of test
specimen plus container with lid (Method A), oven dry mass of
the test specimen plus container with lid.
10.3.5 The mass of the pan, moist mass of specimen plus
pan, and air dry mass of specimen plus pan. (Method B)
10.3.6 The masses as stated in 8.2.3 (Method B).
10.3.7 The mass of the air dried specimen plus container
with lid/cover (Method B).
10.3.8 The mass of the container with lid plus ash.
10.3.9 The ash content.
10.3.10 If calculated, the organic material.
11. Precision and Bias
11.1 Precision—Test data on precision is not presented due
to the nature of the materials tested by this test method. It is
either not feasible or too costly at this time to have ten or more
laboratories participate in a round-robin testing program.
11.1.1 Subcommittee D18.22 is seeking any data from the
users of this test method that might be used to make a limited
statement on precision.
11.2 Bias—There is no accepted reference value for this test
method, therefore, bias cannot be determined.
12. Keywords
12.1 ash content; moisture content; organic material; or-
ganic soil; peat; percent organic matter; water content
(6) Section 6 included equipment needed but not mentioned
before; updated equipment specifications.
(7) Significant changes to Section 7 to include obtaining the
specimen from the sample.
(8) Significant reorganization of Section 8 and combined
former Method A with Method C and B with D to create
Methods A and B only.
(9) Added calculation section and moved all calculations to it.
(10) Updated Report section and added two words to the
keywords section.
 D2974 − 20´1
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