Review of What a Soil Sample Really is

• Understanding the Term "Bulk Matrix" Sample
• Types of Information That a Soil Sample Can Provide
• Common Sources of Error in Traditional Soil Sample Collection

How Volatile Contaminants Behave in Soil Matrices

• Phases in Which VOCs Occur in Soil Matrices
  • Non-Aqueous Phase (Free Phase)
  • Dissolved (Aqueous Phase)
  • Residual (Adsorbed) Phase
  • Vapor Phase
• Physical Processes Affecting Occurrence and Movement of Volatile Constituents in Soil
  • Advection
  • Diffusion
  • Adsorption
  • Volatilization
• Chemical Processes Affecting Occurrence and Movement of Volatile Constituents in Soil
  • Oxidation/Reduction Reactions
• Biological Processes Affecting Occurrence and Movement of Volatile Constituents in Soil
  • Biotransformation
  • Biodegradation

Typical Objectives of Soil Sampling Programs

• Site Characterization
• Geotechnical Testing
• Facilitate Formation-Specific Design of Monitoring Wells
• Identification and Determination of 3-Dimensional Distribution of Contaminants
• Determination of Feasibility for Natural Attenuation
• Provide Support Information for Site Remedial Design
• Verification of Satisfying Site Remedial Objectives

Elements of Quality Assurance/Quality Control in Soil Sampling

• Preparation of an Effective Sampling & Analysis Plan
• Sample Collection Techniques
• Proper Selection of Sampling Equipment and Containers
• Use of Field Quality Control Samples
• Sample Handling Procedures
• Field Decontamination of Sampling Equipment

Effective Strategies for Soil Sample Collection for VOCs

• Determining What Type(s) of Samples to Collect
  • Discrete
  • Composite
• Determining Locations for Sample Collection
  • Haphazard Sampling
  • Judgmental Sampling
  • Probability (Statistical) Sampling
  • Hybrid Sampling
  • Multi-Incremental Sampling
  • Strategies Applied Specifically to UST Sites
• Vertical Profiling and 3-D Soil Sampling
• Determining How Many Samples are Enough

Soil Sample Collection Methods

• Overview of Devices Available
  • Manual Sampling Devices
  • Tools Used with Direct-Push Equipment
  • Sampling Devices Used with Drilling Rigs
  • Sampling Device Selection Criteria
  • Advantages and Limitations of Various Soil Sampling Devices for VOCs

Difficulties in Soil Sample Collection for VOCs

• Unique Problems Associated with Collecting VOC Samples in Soils
• How VOCs are Lost from Soil Samples
• Determining the Most "Representative" Portions of Soil Samples for Chemical Analysis
• Problems with Traditional Sample Collection Techniques

Overview of US EPA Method 5035 Closed System Purge-and-Trap and Extraction for Volatile Organics in Soil and Waste Samples

• Objectives of Method 5035
• Strategies for Sampling Soils for VOC Analysis
  • Volumetric Sampling Method: EnCore Samplers
    • How to Correctly Use EnCore Samplers
    • Determining How to Locate Sample Collection Points from Cores and for In-Situ Samples
    • Advantages and Limitations to the Method
  • Chemical Preservation Methods
    • Low-Level Techniques
    • High-Level Techniques
    • Soil Sample Collection Device Options
    • Applications and Limitations to Chemical Preservation Methods
• Practical Limitations of Method 5035
  • Soil Sample Collection Issues
  • Issues Associated with Working with Chemical Preservatives
• The Lab Perspective on Method 5035
  • Problems with Traditional Sample Collection Methods
  • Advantages of Method 5035
  • Limitations of Method 5035
    • Instrumentation Requirements
      • Problems with Sample Effervescence
      • Methanol Contamination
      • Detection Limit Issues
    • Objectives of the Standard
    • Recommended Sample Collection Devices
    • Sample Handling Procedures
    • Soil Sample Description
    • Determining Where to Collect Soil Samples
      • Visual Determination of Apparent Contamination
      • Use of PIDs to Determine Location of VOCs
      • Identification of Changes in Grain Size of Soils
    • Collection of Volumetric Samples Using the EnCore Sampler System
    • Collection of Samples for Chemical Preservation
    • Preparing Samples for Shipment to the Lab

Overview of ASTM D4547 Standard Practice for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile Organics

• Objectives of the Standard
• Recommended Sample Collection Devices
• Sample Handling Procedures

Field Session: Implementing Method 5035 In the Field

• Soil Sample Description
• Determining Where to Collect Soil Samples
  • Visual Determination of Apparent Contamination
  • Use of PIDs to Determine Location of VOCs
  • Identification of Changes in Grain Size of Soils
• Collection of Volumetric Samples Using the EnCore Sampler System
• Collection of Samples for Chemical Preservation
• Preparing Samples for Shipment to the Lab