The Complete Soil Sampling Field Course*b*Course Description

"Learning By Doing" is the philosophy of the Nielsen Environmental Field School.

The Complete Soil Sampling Field Course
Course Description

Collection of soil samples for physical and chemical analysis is a

Students Examine Soil Core Taken in Mesilla Valley NM

In the Complete Soil Sampling Class, students take and examine soil samples using the latest techniques and equipment.

critical component of environmental investigations at many sites, ranging from service stations to Superfund sites. Traditional soil sample collection and handling methods are subject to significant sources of error and bias that commonly result in compromise of physical characteristics of soils, as wells as gross underestimation of chemical concentrations in soil for a wide range of analytes. Given the magnitude of the decisions that are made based on these data, the technical and economic impacts of using traditional sampling methods can be enormous.

This 2 1/2-day course focuses on developing an understanding of the physical and chemical properties of soil samples, how samples should be collected and handled to preserve these properties, how traditional sampling methods can result in significant sources of error in field and lab analyses, and how more up-to-date sampling methods provide much higher confidence in sample analytical results. In addition, course instructors discuss how and where to collect soil samples to meet project objectives; how to determine how many samples should be collected; numerous ASTM standards on soil sample collection and handling; how to implement US EPA's Method 5035B for soil sample collection and analysis for VOCs; and how to use X-Ray Fluorescence (XRF) for field sample analysis for metals.

Students will be able to immediately apply information provided in this course to field projects where VOCs, metals and other analytes are of concern and, in doing so, should significantly improve the quality of data generated during soil investigations so sound decisions can be made in a cost-effective manner.

Course Outline

State Approvals

Hotel Information

JUST ANNOUNCED! A SPECIAL SERIES OF COURSES IN CALGARY, ALBERTA *

The Environmental Sampling Field Course
COURSE NOW FULL
May 15 - 18, 2012 -- Columbus, Ohio

The Complete Soil Sampling Field Course NEW COURSE DATE & LOCATION! June 18 - 20, 2012 -- Calgary, Alberta
The Complete Ground-Water Sampling Field Course *NEW COURSE DATE & LOCATION!* June 20 - 22, 2012 -- Calgary, Alberta

* To register for either Calgary course, contact Oak Environmental at frank@oakenv.com. Nielsen Environmental Field School is not handling registrations for these courses.