scope:

1. Scope

1.1 This test method provides a method for accelerating the leach rate of solidified waste and determining if the release is diffusion-controlled. This test method is applicable to any material that does not degrade, deform, or change leaching mechanism during the test.

1.1.1 If diffusion is the dominant leaching mechanism, then results of this test can be used to model long-term releases from waste forms. Diffusion can be confirmed as the leaching mechanism through the use of a computerized mathematical model for diffusion from the finite cylinder (Note 1).

1.1.2 The leaching mechanism should be verified as diffusion-controlled by a means other than analysis of the leach test data. For this purpose, analysis of post-leaching concentration profiles within the solid waste form is recommended.

NOTE 1--The computer program and the models are briefly described in Annex A1 and in the Accelerated Leach Test Method and User's Guide for the "ALT" Computer Program (1).

1.2 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 appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.