STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES

SOP: 2003
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SAMPLE STORAGE, PRESERVATION AND HANDLING

CONTENTS

1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION

2.0 METHOD SUMMARY

3.0 SAMPLE PRESERVATION, CONTAINERS, HANDLING AND STORAGE

3.1 Sample Storage and Preservation

3.2 Special Analytical Requests

4.0 INTERFERENCES AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

5.0 EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS

6.0 REAGENTS

7.0 PROCEDURES

8.0 CALCULATIONS

9.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL*

10.0 DATA VALIDATION

11.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY

12.0 REFERENCES

13.0 APPENDICES

A - Table*

*These sections affected by Revision 0.0.

SUPERCEDES: SOP #2003; Revision 2.0; 01/09/92; U.S. EPA Contract EP-W-09-0031.
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1.0 SCOPE AND APPLICATION

The purpose of this Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) is to provide general guidelines for the storage
and preservation of water and soil/sediment samples. Requirements for sample volume, matrix
spike/matrix spike duplicate (MS/MSD) sample volume, container type, and preservation techniques are
presented for both individual parameters and groups of parameters. Specific requirements for sample
storage, preservation and handling must be established in the Quality Assurance (QA) Work Plan prior to
sample collection.

These are standard (i.e., typically applicable) operating procedures which may be varied or changed as
required, dependent upon site conditions, equipment limitations or limitations imposed by the procedure.
In all instances, the ultimate procedures employed should be documented and associated with the final
report.

Mention of trade names or commercial products does not constitute U. S. Environmental Protection
Agency (U.S. EPA) endorsement or recommendation for use.

2.0 METHOD SUMMARY

This SOP is applicable to all water or soil/sediment samples collected by ERT/SERAS personnel. For
handling, storage and preservation requirements for waste and air samples refer to the specific SOPs for
waste and air sampling techniques.

3.0 SAMPLE PRESERVATION, CONTAINERS, HANDLING AND STORAGE

3.1 Sample Storage and Preservation

Samples should be collected using equipment and procedures appropriate to the matrix,
parameters and sampling objective. The volume of the sample collected must be sufficient to
perform the analysis requested. Sample containers must not be pre-rinsed with the sample prior to
sample collection.

Table 1 (Appendix A) contains a list of parameters which are typically of interest in ERT/SERAS
activations. Table 1 also indicates sample volumes to be collected by matrix and parameter.
Samples must be stored in the proper types of containers and preserved in a manner appropriate to
the analysis to be performed. This information is also provided in Table 1. To prevent leakage
during shipping, sample containers should be no more than 90% full. If air space would affect
sample integrity (i.e., samples for VOA analysis), fill the sample container completely and place
the container in a second container to meet the 90% requirement.

All samples must be cooled to 4OC from the time of collection until analysis. When a preservative
other than cooling is used, the preservative is generally added after the sample is collected, unless
the sample container has been pre-preserved by the laboratory. If necessary, the pH must be
adjusted to the appropriate level and checked with pH paper in a manner which will not
contaminate the sample.

Depending on the arrangements for sample analysis and the amount of sample required for the
analysis, it is possible that aliquots for several analyses may be taken from the same sample
container. This should be verified with the laboratory performing the analyses prior to sample
collection.
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All sample containers must be labeled appropriately. The exterior of the sample containers must
be wiped clean and dry prior to sample packaging. All samples must be packaged according to the
requirements of U.S. Department of Transportation (U.S. DOT) or International Air
Transportation Association (IATA).

3.2 Special Analytical Requests

If a parameter or group of parameters is not included in Table 1 (Appendix A), the laboratory
performing the analysis should be contacted to determine the appropriate sample containers,
volumes and preservatives. This information shall be documented in the QA Work Plan.

4.0 INTERFERENCES AND POTENTIAL PROBLEMS

The following are interferences or potential problems associated with sample storage, preservation and
handling:

1. Samples should be protected from sunlight which may initiate photodegradation of sample
components.

2. Delaying sample preservation may cause chemical reactions to occur, altering original sample
composition.

3. Improper sample preservation may adversely affect sample results.

4. Inadequate sample volume may prohibit the appropriate analyses from being performed.

5.0 EQUIPMENT/APPARATUS

The equipment/apparatus required to collect samples must be determined on a site specific basis. Due to
the wide variety of sampling equipment available, refer to the specific SOPs for sampling techniques which
include lists of the equipment/apparatus required for sampling.

The following specific equipment/apparatus may be required for proper sample preservation:

-pipettes (various sizes)

-bulb
-pH paper
-safety equipment

6.0 REAGENTS

Reagents required for preservation of samples are specified in Table 1 (Appendix A). The preservatives
required are specified by the analyses to be performed. Decontamination solutions are specified in
ERT/SERAS SOP #2006, Sampling Equipment Decontamination.

7.0 PROCEDURES
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Once aqueous samples are collected, add the appropriate preservative to reach the desired pH. For non-
aqueous samples, cool samples to 4OC immediately after collection. For handling, storage and preservation
requirements for waste and air samples refer to the specific SOPs.

8.0 CALCULATIONS

This section is not applicable to this SOP.

9.0 QUALITY ASSURANCE/QUALITY CONTROL

Refer to the specific SOPs for the type and frequency of QA/Quality Control (QC) samples to be analyzed,
the acceptance criteria for the QA/QC samples, and any other QC activities which are associated with
sampling techniques. All data associated with sampling must be documented on Field Data Sheets or
within site logbooks.

10.0 DATA VALIDATION

Refer to the specific SOPs for data validation activities that are associated with sampling techniques.

11.0 HEALTH AND SAFETY

When working with potential hazardous materials, follow U.S. EPA, OSHA and corporate health and
safety procedures.

12.0 REFERENCES

This section is not applicable to this SOP.

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APPENDIX A
Table
SOP #2003
August, 1994
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TABLE 1. Sample Containers, Volumes to be Collected

and Preservatives by Parameter and Matrix(1)
________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume to be
Parameter Matrix(2) Container(3) Collected Preservative
________________________________________________________________________________________

Acidity/Alkalinity W P or G 1 liter Cool (4OC)

Acidity/Alkalinity S P or G 8 oz Cool (4OC)
BNA (4)
W G (amber) 2 x 1 liter Cool (4OC)
BNA S G 8 oz Cool (4OC)
BOD W G 1 liter Cool (4OC)
COD W P or G 1 liter Cool (4OC) H2SO4,pH<2
Cr+6 W P 200 ml Cool (4OC)
Creosotes(4) W G 2 x 1 liter Cool (4OC)
Creosotes S G 8 oz Cool (4OC)
(4)
Cyanide W P 1 liter Cool (4OC), NaOH, pH>12
Cyanide S G 8 oz Cool (4OC))
Dioxin/Furans W G 2 x 1 liter Cool (4OC)
Dioxin/Furans S G 16 oz Cool (4OC))
(4)
Herbicides W G 2 x 1 liter Cool (4oC)
Herbicides S G 8 oz Cool (4oC)
Metals W P or G 1 liter Cool (4OC), HNO3, pH<2
Metals S G 8 oz Cool (4OC)
(4)
Oil & Grease W G 2 x 1 liter Cool (4OC), H2SO4 pH<2
Oil & Grease S G 8 oz Cool (4OC)
(4)
Petroleum Hydrocarbons W G 2 x 1 liter Cool (4OC), H2SO4, pH<2
Petroleum Hydrocarbons S G 8 oz Cool 4OC)
(4)
Pesticides/PCBs W G (amber) 2 x 1 liter Cool (4OC)
Pesticides/PCBs S G 8 oz Cool (4OC)
Phenols W G 1 liter Cool (4OC), H2SO4, pH<2
Phenols S G 8 oz Cool (4OC)
Polynuclear Aromatic W G 2 x 1 liter Cool (4OC)
(4)
Hydrocarbons
Polynuclear Aromatic S G 8 oz Cool (4OC)
Hydrocarbons
Reactivity (RCRA) W P 1 liter Cool (4OC), NaOH, pH>12
(Cyanide)
Reactivity (RCRA) W P 1 liter Cool (4OC), 4.0 ml
(Sulfide) zinc acetate solution
Reactivity (RCRA) S G (amber) 8 oz Cool (4OC)
(Cyanide/Sulfide)
Corrosivity (RCRA) W P 500 ml Cool (4OC)
________________________________________________________________________________________
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TABLE 1. (continued) Sample Containers, Volumes to be Collected

and Preservatives by Parameter and Matrix(1)
________________________________________________________________________________________
Volume to be
Parameter Matrix(2) Container(3) Collected Preservative
________________________________________________________________________________________
Ignitibility (RCRA) W G (amber) 500 ml Cool (4OC)
Ignitibility (RCRA) S G (amber) 8 oz Cool (4OC)
TCLP-VOAs(6) W G 3 x 40 ml vial Cool (4oC)
TCLP-BNAs W G (amber) 2 x 1 liter Cool (4oC)
TCLP-Pesticides/Herbicides W G (amber) 2 x 1 liter Cool (4oC)
TCLP-Inorganics W P 1 liter Cool (4oC),HNO3, pH<2
TCLP-Non-Volatile
Extraction(5) S G 16 oz Cool (4oC)
(5)
TCLP-Volatile Extraction S G 16 oz Cool (4oC)
TOC W P or G 500 ml Cool (4oC), H2SO4, pH<2
TOC S G 8 oz Cool (4oC)
TOX W G 300 ml Cool (4oC)
TOX S G 8 oz Cool (4oC)
VOAs (6)
W G 3 x 40 ml vial Cool (4oC)(7)
VOAs S G 40 ml vial Cool (4oC)
__________________________________________________________________________________________
1.
ERT/SERAS requirements. Subcontract laboratory requirements may vary. Verify prior to sample collection.
2.
W - water, S - soil/sediment
3.
P - polyethylene, G - glass
4.
For 1 sample of every batch of 10 (or less) samples, collect 2 additional 1 liter volumes for MS/MSD analysis.
5.
For 1 sample of every batch of 10 (or less) samples, collect 2 additional 16 oz volumes for MS/MSD analysis.
6.
Avoid excessive turbulence when filling the sample container. The container must be sealed so that no air bubbles are
entrapped. No headspace allowed.
7.
For drinking water samples, if residual chlorine is present, the sample should be preserved with 0.008% sodium
thiosulfate. EPA Methods 330.4 and 330.5 may be used for measurement of residual chlorine. Field test kits are
commercially available for this purpose.