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D6036-96 – Standard Test Method Technical Guide
🗺️ Purpose and Scope of the Guide
This standard, designated D6036‑96 (Reapproved 2014), offers a series of options for displaying the results of chemical analyses of groundwater for major ions and trace elements through maps. It is not meant to specify a course of action but to assist professional judgment. The use of maps allows areally distributed values to be easily related to physical localities, aiding in the interpretation of aquifer chemistry. The guide covers methods that display chemical constituents as mapped information, with details found in the listed references.
📊 Related Documentation and Techniques
This guide is the fourth in a series of documents for displaying groundwater chemical data. The following table summarizes the related ASTM guides referenced in this standard.
| 🟦 Guide Number | 📏 Focus Area |
|---|---|
| D5738 | Water‑analysis diagrams using pattern and pictorial methods for single samples. |
| D5754 | Two‑dimensional trilinear graphs for common chemical components from multiple analyses. |
| D5877 | Graphic displays for multiple groundwater samples, including discrete values and comprehensive summaries. |
🔍 Key Considerations for Map Implementation
When creating maps, be aware that the distribution of chemical constituents from two water sources or liquids of different densities may be difficult to illustrate on a two‑dimensional map due to stratification in the third dimension. The addition of a vertical cross section may be required. Notations incorporated within illustrations are for construction guidance and are typically not required on maps designed for project documents.
💡 Tip: Use this guide in conjunction with professional experience and education, as it does not replace standard judgment.
⚠️ Warning: This standard should not be used as the sole criterion for comparison; consider project‑specific aspects and the many unique facets of each investigation.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
🔍 What is the main scope of D6036‑96?
It covers methods for displaying chemical analyses of groundwater for major ions and trace elements using maps, offering options but not specifying a required course of action.
💡 How does this guide relate to other ASTM standards?
It is the fourth guide in a series, following D5738 (pattern/pictorial diagrams), D5754 (trilinear graphs), and D5877 (graphic displays for multiple samples).
⚡ What are limitations of two‑dimensional groundwater maps?
Stratification in the third dimension may not be fully represented; vertical cross sections may be needed to show distribution of different densities or water sources.
📌 Must map notations be included in final reports?
No, notations in the guide’s illustrations are for understanding how maps are constructed and are generally omitted from project documents.