- Sampling, testing, and examination shall be conducted by a certified professional geologist, licensed professional geologist or an equivalent acceptable to the State Geologist.
- Sampling, testing, and examination results provided in the GSR report shall be from samples obtained by the lead geologist or designated party assigned by the lead geologist. Testing and examination shall be conducted on representative samples from the Manufacturer’s active mining location(s).
- Sampling. Aggregate shall be sampled from the stockpile(s), in accordance with ASTM D75 Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregates or AASHTO R 90 Standard Practice for Sampling Aggregate Products. Aggregate samples shall be a composite of all onsite aggregate stockpiles of the same source, recombined, and sampled randomly from the combined sample. Aggregate stockpile samples shall be protected from the environment and sealed. The geology of the aggregate stockpile samples shall be analyzed and be of the same geology of previously examined cores. If the geology differs, samples from the previously sampled and stored cores shall be obtained for the testing and examination.
- Testing and Examination. Testing and examination shall be conducted by laboratories that are independent from and not affiliated with Aggregate Manufacturers. Independent laboratories utilized for testing shall be recognized by the National Cooperation for Laboratory Accreditation (NACLA) in Construction Materials Engineering and Testing (CMET), AASHTO Resource, or an equal program approved by MassDOT and the State Geologist. Independent laboratory results shall be determined by the preparer and documented on a report form meeting the standard methods identified in Table 1. The GSR shall include a description of each test performed and a summary of the results.
MassDOT has provided a list of laboratories capable of conducting total sulfur testing and petrographic examination. This list is not all inclusive, i.e., it is not a list of “approved” laboratories. MassDOT does not promote or endorse use of these labs, they are provided only as information.
Level 1 total sulfur content testing and Level 2 petrographic examination (when required) shall be conducted on a composite sample of all onsite aggregate stockpiles of the same source (and previously sampled and stored cores when requested by the State Geologist) and reported annually, per the requirements identified herein. Level 2 petrographic examination shall be conducted when the Level 1 total sulfur content test result is greater than or equal to 0.1% and less than 1.0%, as identified in Table 1. If the manufacturer blends aggregate from multiple sources or areas with geological differences, then each source or area blended into the aggregate shall be tested and examined separately.
Testing requirements are determined from current research and available information. As research evolves, testing requirements will be adjusted to reflect the most recent and proven research at any given time. MassDOT, in consultation with the State Geologist, reserves the right to request further information when deemed necessary.
Table 1: Total Sulfur Content, Pyrrhotite, and Framboidal Pyrite Testing Requirements
| Method | Quality Characteristic | Limits | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 Total Sulfur Content Testing | |||
| ASTM D4239[1] | Total Sulfur Content (%) | Acceptable: Permitted for use in Concrete | < 0.1 |
| Additional: Level 2 Petrographic Examination for Pyrrhotite and Framboidal Pyrite Content Required | 0.1 to < 1.0 | ||
| Rejectable: Prohibited from use in Concrete | ≥ 1.0 | ||
| Level 2 Petrographic Examination (if required) | |||
| ASTM C295 | Pyrrhotite and/or Framboidal Pyrite | Acceptable: Permitted for use in Concrete | No Presence |
| Rejectable: Prohibited from use in Concrete | Presence | ||
[1] ASTM D4239 Standard Test Method for Sulfur in the Analysis Sample of Coal and Coke Using High-Temperature Tube Furnace Combustion shall be modified for the testing of aggregate accordingly.
- Testing Exceptions.
- Statistically Insignificant Risk Exception. Subject to the regional and site geology analysis contained in the GSR, as required in 700 CMR 19.06(2)(a) and (2)(b), an applicant or licensee may, in lieu of the testing requirements provided in 700 CMR 19.05(2), obtain an opinion signed by a certified professional geologist, licensed professional geologist or an equivalent acceptable to the State Geologist, that there is a statistically insignificant risk that the area of operation for a given year contains iron sulfide deposits (pyrrhotite and framboidal pyrite). This testing exception shall be contingent on completion of the regional and site geology analysis as described in 700 CMR 19.06(2)(a) and (b). The regional and site geology analysis shall be included in the Geological Source Report (GSR) submitted with the license application.
- Continuous Extraction Site Operations Exception. Subject to the regional and site geology analysis contained in the GSR, as required in 700 CMR 19.06(2)(a) and (2)(b), an applicant or licensee may, in lieu of the testing requirements provided in 700 CMR 19.05(2), may certify that they will continue to source aggregate from the same extraction site for which a previous year’s GSR was submitted and will not expand operations beyond the maximum radius of 250 feet beyond the farthest drill hole or exposed quarry faces used for identifying geology, as provided in 700 CMR 19.06(2)(b)(xx). This exception of testing shall be contingent on completion of the regional and site geology analysis as described in 700 CMR 19.06(2)(a) and (b). The regional and site geology analysis shall be included in the Geological Source Report (GSR) submitted with the license application. If, during the relevant license year, an aggregate manufacturer operates a new or expanded extraction site, this exception shall no longer apply and a new GSR must be submitted in accordance with 700 CMR 19.06.