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D5738-95 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
📖 Overview and Scope
This guide covers the category of water-analysis diagrams that use pictorial or pattern methods for displaying individual chemical components from a single sample of natural groundwater. It is the second in a series of standards on graphical methods for groundwater chemistry, following the trilinear diagram guide (D5754). The diagrams include bar, radiating vectors, pattern, and circular formats, designed to assist interpretation of ion origin and simplify comparison of analyses.
🔬 Key Terminology and Concepts
Standard terminology is critical for consistent interpretation. Key terms include:
| 🟦 Term | 📏 Definition |
|---|---|
| Anion | An ion that moves or would move towards an anode; thus nearly always synonymous with negative ion. |
| Cation | An ion that moves or would move towards a cathode; thus nearly always synonymous with positive ion. |
| Equivalent per million (epm) | An equivalent weight unit expressed in English terms, also expressed as milligram-equivalent per kilogram. When concentration in ppm is multiplied by the equivalent weight factor. |
These definitions align with Terminology D653 and D1129.
📐 Diagram Types and Applications
The guide presents diagrams from various authors that transform numerical data into visual forms. Common types include bar diagrams, radiating vectors, pattern diagrams, and circular diagrams. Each type aids in visualizing the ionic composition of groundwater. The choice of diagram is program or project specific, and this guide does not recommend a specific course of action.
| 📐 Standard | 🎯 Description |
|---|---|
| D596 | Guide for Reporting Results of Analysis of Water |
| D653 | Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids |
| D1129 | Terminology Relating to Water |
| D5754 | Guide for Displaying Results of Chemical Analyses of Groundwater for Major Ions and Trace Elements—Trilinear Diagrams |
This compilation is an organized collection of information and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment.
💡 This guide offers options and does not recommend a specific course of action. The choice of diagram is project specific and should align with the project’s unique aspects.
⚠️ This document cannot replace education or experience. It must be used in conjunction with professional judgment and not applied without consideration of the project’s many unique aspects.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 Why use single-analysis diagrams?
Single-analysis diagrams help visualize the ionic composition of groundwater, aiding in the interpretation of the origin of ions and simplifying comparison between different analyses.
💡 What are the main diagram types covered?
The guide covers bar, radiating vectors, pattern, and circular diagrams, which are pictorial or pattern methods for displaying chemical components.
⚡ Can these diagrams be used for multiple analyses?
No, this guide specifically covers single-analysis diagrams. For multiple analyses, refer to Guide D5754 for trilinear diagrams, and a future guide for data analytical calculations.
📌 Are there any limitations to these diagrams?
This guide is not a selection or use guide; it is a compilation. The diagrams should be used with professional judgment, and the standard does not replace education or experience.