Day 1

Planning an Effective Environmental Sampling Program

• Components of an Effective Sampling & Analysis Plan
• Common Objectives of Environmental Sampling Programs
• Selecting Appropriate Analytical Parameters and Methods
• Understanding PPM vs. PPB vs. PPT and Consequences of Low Detection Limits for Sampling Procedures
• Detailed Media-Specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

Strategies for Three-Dimensional Sampling of Environmental Media

• Conducting an Effective Site Reconnaissance Program
• Selecting Environmental Media to be Sampled
• Selecting Strategies for Sampling
  • Grab Samples vs. Composite Samples
• Determining Most Effective Sample Collection Locations
• Collection of Background Samples
• Alternate Sampling Location Selection Strategies
  • Multi-Incremental Sampling

Field Equipment Decontamination

• Objectives of Decontamination
• Clarification of Important and Misused Terminology
• Field Decontamination Methods and Protocol Selection Considerations
• Potential Problems Associated with Use of Chemical Desorbing Agents for Cleaning
• Verifying the Effectiveness of Equipment Decontamination

Field Quality Assurance/Quality Control

• The Difference Between QA and QC
• Components of a Field QA/QC Program
• Understanding Why Field QA/QC is so Important
  • In-Depth Discussion of Objectives and Collection Methods for Field QC Samples
    • Trip Blanks
    • Temperature Blanks
    • Field Blanks
    • Equipment Blanks
    • Blind Duplicates
    • Blind Spiked Samples
    • Field Split Samples
• How Many QC Samples Should Be Collected

Environmental Sample Handling and Shipment

• Preparation of Samples for Shipment
• Using Sample Tamper-Proofing Mechanisms
• Avoiding Common Errors Associated with Using Chain-of-Custody Forms
• Delivery Options for Samples
• Ensuring Compliance with Applicable Shipping Regulations for Samples that are Regulated Substances (DOT and IATA)
• Consequences of Illegal Shipment of Regulated Samples

Sampling Event Documentation

• Written vs. Electronic vs. Audio-Visual Record Keeping
• Dangers of Using Field Forms Only for Documentation of Field Activities
• Do's and Don'ts When It Comes to Recording Field Observations and Measurements
• Making Sure Field Notes are Admissible as Evidence
• New Laws Affecting E-Documents
• Secrets to Taking Photographs in the Field

Day 2

The Science Behind Soil Sampling

• Typical Objectives of Soil Sampling Programs
• Understanding the Complexities of a Soil Sample
• Definition of a "representative" Sample
• Factors Affecting the Representative Nature of Soil Samples
• Conventional Soil Sampling Strategies and Methods
• Improved Soil Sampling Strategies and Methods

Fundamentals of Soil Sampling

• Factors that Influece Selection of Sampling Equipment
• Selection and Operation of Available Sampling Equipment
  • Hand-Operated Devices
  • Mechanically Assisted Devices
  • Test Pits
  • Direct-Push Methods
  • Drilling-Rig Based Methods

Soil Sample Collection, Handling and Processing Using U.S. EPA Method 5035

• Objectives of the Method
• Volumetric Sample Collection Methods - EnCore Samplers
• Chemical Preservation/Extraction Methods - Sodium Bisulfate and Methanol
• Overview of Field Techniques and Equipment Requirements
• Advantages and Limitations of Methods

Field Sample Analysis

• Types of Data Generated by Field Analysis Methods
• Overview of Methods Available for Volatile and Non-Volatile Compounds
• Incorporating Field Sample Analysis into Field Sampling Programs
• Interpretation of Field Analysis Results
• Avoiding Common Errors in Field Sample Analysis

Field Session #1

• Station 1: Soil Sampling Using a Hollow-Stem Auger Drill Rig 
  • Discrete and Continuous Soil Sampling Methods
  • Soil Sample Description
• Station 2: Analysis of Soil Samples Using XRF Analysis for Metals
  • How XRF Technologies Work - Applications and Limitations
  • Parameters and Detection Limits That Can be Analyzed in the Field
  • Other Media that can be Analyzed Using XRF
  • Analysis of Samples Brought in by Students and In-Situ Analysis of Soils
• Station 3: Collection and Preparation of Soil Samples for VOC Analysis Using Method 5035
  • Collection of Soil Samples Using EnCore Samplers
  • Collection and Preparation of Soil Samples Using Chemical Preservation Methods

Day 3

The Science Behind Ground-Water Sampling

• Objectives and Purposes of Ground-Water Sampling
• Factors Affecting the Representative Nature of Ground-Water Samples
  • Sampling Point Placement, Design, Installtion, Development & Maintenance
  • Formation and Well Hydraulics
  • Chemistry of the Water Column
  • Well Purging and Sampling Methods
  • Agitation and Aeration of the Water Column
  • Exposure of the Sample to Atmospheric Conditions

Review of Commonly Used Purging Strategies

• Traditional Purging Methods
  • Objectives of Traditional Purging
  • Purging vs. Sampling
  • Fixed Volumes
  • Purging to Stabilization of Selected Indicator Parameters
  • Using Packers in Large Diameter and/or Deep Wells
• Low-Flow Purging and Sampling Procedures
  • How the Method Works
  • Equipment Needs
  • Applications and Limitations
• Purging Methods for Low-Yield Wells
  • Traditional (but Bad) Methods
  • No-Purge Sampling Options

Selection and Operation of Purging and Sampling Devices

• Selection Criteria for Ground-Water Purging and Sampling Devices
• Impact of Devices on Sample Chemistry
• Overview of Purging and Sampling Devices

Ground-Water Sample Pretreatment and Collection Methods

• Filtration of Ground-Water Samples
• Physical and Chemical Preservation of Ground-Water Samples
• Sample Collection Procedures

Field Session #2: Ground-Water Sampling

• Station 1: Traditional Purging and Sampling Methods & No-Purge Sampling
  • Preparation of the Work Area
  • Overview of Health & Safety Practices
  • Good Housekeeping Practices
  • Measurement of Wellhead Levels of VOCs
  • Water Level Measurement
  • Proper Operation of Portable Sampling Devices for Purging and Sampling
  • Proper Techniques for Sample Bottle Filling
  • Sample Filtration and Preservation
  • Preparation of Samples for Shipment
  • No-Purge Sampling with Passive Diffusion Bag Samplers
• Station 2: Low-Flow Purging and Sampling & No-Purge Sampling
  • Equipment Setup for Low-Flow Purging - Dedicated and Portable Options
  • Flow-Cells for Field Parameter Measurement
  • Calibration of Multi-Parameter Instrumentation for Field Parameter Measurement
  • Water Level Monitoring
  • Procedures for Implementing Low-Flow Purging and Sampling
  • Proper Methods for Collection of Ground-Water Samples for VOCs
  • No-Purge Sampling Using the HydraSleeve

Day 4

Surface Water and Sediment Sampling

• Overview of Aquatic Systems and Interrelationships between Surface Water, Ground Water and Sediment
• Factors Affecting Contaminant Distribution in Aquatic Systems
• Types of Aquatic System Monitoring Programs
• Strategies for Determining Sampling Locations

Overview of Sampling Devices for Surface Water and Sediment

• Discrete Sampling Devices
• Composite Sampling Devices
• Sample Descriptions for Surface Water and Sediment

Waste Sampling Strategies and Methods

• Sources of Waste Commonly Sampled
• Special Planning Considerations for Waste Sampling Programs
• Sampling Strategies and Devices for Samping Various Waste Management Units
  • Drums and Above-Ground Tanks
  • Landfill Leachate Seeps and Springs
  • Waste Piles
  • Surface Impoundments, Lagoons and Ponds
  • Artifactual Sampling

Field Session #3: Surface Water, Sediment and Waste Sampling

• Station 1: Surface Water Sampling
  • Collection of Surface Water Samples Using Depth-Discrete Samplers
  • Vertical Profiling of Water Column
  • Surface Water Sample Analysis
• Station 2: Sediment Sampling
  • Collection of Sediment Samples using Grab and Coring Devices
  • Interpretation of Sediment Samples
• Station 3: Calibration of Multi-Parameter Instrumentation
  • Procedures for Calibration of Multi-Parameter Instrumentation for Surface Water Analysis
• Station 4: Simulation of Waste Sampling Using Drums & Piles
  • Collection of Samples from a Waste Pile (Simulated) with Grab and Coring Devices
  • Characterization of Drums Using External Inspection Techniques
  • Drum Sampling (Simulated)