SOIL
SAMPLING
Agnes [Link]
OIC, Ambient Monitoring and Technical Services Section
Coverage:
*Sampling Plan
*Equipment and Supplies
*Sample Collection
*Sample Handling, Preservation and Storage
Waste Management and Pollution Control
*References
Sampling
Plan
Preparation for Sampling Plan:
Objectives
Background Information
Sampling Procedure
Sample Handling,
Preservation and Storage
Equipment and
Supplies:
Equipment and Supplies:
Geoprobe
Equipment and Supplies:
Post-Hole Digger
Auger
Equipment and Supplies:
Core Barrel Sampler
Shovel Split Spoon Corer
Equipment and Supplies:
SEDIMENT SAMPLER
Equipment and Supplies:
1. Ruler, yard stick, or measuring tape
2. Nitrile Gloves ; Latex Gloves , Boots, Tyvek Suits
3. Stainless Steel Scoop or Spatula
4. Zip lock bags
5. Ice and Ice coolers
6. Top load balance
7. Decontamination supplies: brush, phosphate-free
water, isopropyl alcohol
8. Site log book, field data sheets, GPS, and chain
of custody forms
Equipment and Supplies:
Decontaminate or pre-clean equipment,
and ensure that it is in working condition.
Equipment must be washed with a
phosphorus-free detergent, rinsed with
distilled water and dried.
The analyte of concern must be considered
when choosing sampling equipment.
Sample
Collection
TYPES OF SAMPLE:
1. GRAB SAMPLES are single samples
collected at a specific spot at a site over a
short period of time.
2. COMPOSITE SAMPLES obtained by
combining portions of multiple grab
samples that vary over short periods of
time and/or space
Advantages of Composite sampling:
1. Reduced costs of analyzing a large
numbers of samples
2. More representative samples of
heterogeneous matrices
3. Larger sample sizes when amounts of
test samples are limited
Disadvantages of Composite
sampling:
1. Loss of analyte relationships in individual
sample
2. Potential dilution of analytes below detection
levels
3. Increased potential analytical interferences
4. Increased possibility of analyte interactions
SELECTION OF SAMPLING SITE
Identify sampling points at a location which
assures homogenised and best represents the
physical and chemical quality of the area.
The site should be uniform in soil series, slope,
drainage, erosion, fertilizer application,
including sewage sludge, with less than 5 acres
of rolling land for soil and sediment samples.
SAMPLING SITE
Samples should be taken to plow depth, or
approximately 4-6 inches depth.
For sludges, the sampling point must be the last
treatment process the sludge goes through before
leaving the plant for use or disposal.
The best place to collect a representative sample,
is from a place where sludge is “moving” because it
is probably mixed well at that point.
IDENTIFICATION OF SAMPLING SITE
Sample 6 AGRICULTURAL AREA
(Control Sample)
Sample 4
RESIDENTIAL AREA
Sample 3
Sample 5
INDUSTRY Sample 1
Sample 2
SOIL SAMPLING
Sample Collection Procedure:
1. Site survey
2. Use stakes/flags, or marks to identify
sampling stations
3. Remove twig, rocks, and loose debris
4. Clean sampling equipment
5. Collect
Note: Required sample volume is doubled for
sample having high moisture content (<25%)
PROCEDURE:
1. Mark a minimum of 10 random locations (x) in
the identified sampling area.
2. For trees and shrubs, take soil from six to eight
spots around the drip line of the plants and mix.
3. Remove any surface GRASS COVER
litter such as grass
cover.
4. Make a V-shaped cut 15-20 cm deep and take a 1 cm slice
from the smooth side. Trim sides with a sharp blade or a pen
knife leaving a 2 cm strip.
5. Collect this into a clean bucket. Take a number of such
samples to make a composite sample.
6. Soil Samples Should Be Carefully Mixed and Packed.
Sample Handling,
Preservation and
Storage
Table 1. Sampling handling requirements for soil,
sediment, sludge samples.
Maximum
Medium/ Analytical Conc. Sample Preservation Holding
Containers
Matrix Parameter Level Volume Requirements Time
8 oz. Glass
Soil or Medium
Metals 200 g jar w/ 4 ±2ºC 6 mos.
Sediment / Low
Teflon cap
8 oz. Glass
Soil or 4 ±2ºC
Mercury Low 200 g jar w/ 28 days
Sediment
Teflon cap
16 or 32 oz.
Soil or Glass jar 4 ±2ºC
TCLP, SPLP NA 400 g 14 days
Sediment w/ Teflon
cap
16 or 32 oz.
TCLP, SPLP Glass jar
Soil or 4 ±2ºC
for NA 400 g w/ Teflon 14 days
Sediment
Mercury cap
Field Data Chain of
Sample Labels Sheet Custody
1. Organization’s name 1. Organization’s name 1. Organization’s name
2. Facility or location 2. Facility or location
name being sampled name being sampled
2. Facility or location
name being sampled 3. Station Number & 3. Station Number &
Identification Identification
4. Weather conditions 4. Weather conditions
3. Station Number &
Identification 5. Collector(s) name 5. Collector(s) name
and signature and signature
6. Type of sample 6. Type of sample
4. Collector(s)
7. Date and Time 7. Date and Time
sampled sampled
4. Type of sample 8. Receiver(s) name
8. Other physical
activities and and signature
5. Date and Time sampled observations
Waste Management
and Pollution
Prevention:
Hazardous waste produced during field
sampling and analysis must be handled and
disposed in accordance to regulations.
References:
1. POTW Sludge Sampling and Analysis Guidance
Document. USEPA, Permits Division, Office of
Water, Washington D.C. [Link] 1989.
2. Congressional Federal Registrar (CFR) 40 Part
503
3. Standard Method of Examination of Water and
Wastewater.22nd Edition. 2012.
end…..