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The Environmental Sampling Field Course
Course Outline
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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)

 

Each course is slightly modified to incorporate local technical assistance during our field sessions. A detailed course syllabus, which includes start and finish times and detailed course content, will be provided to all course registrants as part of the registration confirmation package.

 

JUST ANNOUNCED!  Our Courses For Spring 2012

The Environmental Sampling Field Course - ADDITIONAL COURSE OFFERING - JUST LISTED !
May 15 - 18 -- Columbus, OH Register Now
The Complete Ground-Water Monitoring Field Course
April 16-20, 2012--San Diego, CA Register Now
The Complete Ground-Water Sampling Field Course
April 18-20, 2012--San Diego, CA Register Now
The Ground-Water Monitoring Well Design, Construction and Development Field Course
April 16-18, 2012--San Diego, CA Register Now

The Complete Surface Water & Sediment Sampling Field Course
April 12-13, 2012--San Diego, CA Register Now