Table 1. Sampling rates for five different sub- surface bulk sample retrieval technologies.

cially available (U.S. Oil Co., Inc., Kimberly, Wis-

Table 1. Sampling rates for five different sub-

consin) and also can be made from a small piece

surface bulk sample retrieval technologies.

of pipe and solid rod. This type of subsampling

device helps to maintain the structure of the ma-

Clay soil*

Sandy soil*

terials being sampled during collection and trans-

Hollow stem augering

fer to a VOA vial or a larger bottle.

split spoon sampler

The VOA vials or bottles used for sample col-

lection should be made of glass, have a Teflon-

SimulprobeTM Core Barrel

lined septum, and a rigid cap that creates an air-

Sampler†

tight (hermetic) seal when screwed on. The

JMC Environmentalist's

thickness of the Teflon used for lining the septum

Subsurface Probe**

should be at least 10 mil. The selection of a coring

tool size depends on the following: size of the

AMS Dual Tube Liner††

opening on the collection vial or bottle (tool should

GeoprobeTM Large-Bore soil

fit inside the mouth of the sample bottle), particle

sampler***

size of the solid materials (e.g., gravel-size particles

would require larger samplers), and volume of

*Average number of samples collected over an 8-hr period (i.e.,

sample required for analysis. To collect an undis-

time to set up equipment, collect a sample at one specified

turbed subsample, the barrel of the coring tool is

depth, grout hole, decon equipment, and move to next sam-

pling location).

pushed into a freshly exposed surface and re-

†Simulprobe, 150 Shoreline Highway, Bld E, Mill Valley, CA

moved once the desired volume has been ob-

94941.

**Clements Associates, Inc. (JMC Environmentalist's Subsur-

face Probe), 1992 Hunter Avenue, Newton, IA 50208.

††Art's Manufacturing & Supply, Inc. (Dual Tube Liner Sam-

pler), 105 Harrison St., American Falls, ID 83211.

***Geoprobe Systems, 601 N. Broadway, Salina, KS 67401.

these five different bulk sampling systems. The

other criteria evaluated during this program, while

exposing some limitations and potential weak-

nesses, did not establish that any of these subsur-

face sampling systems would be inappropriate for

site characterization.

Discrete samples (i.e., subsamples taken for analysis)

After a fresh surface is exposed to the atmo-

sphere, whether it is a split-spoon, barrel liner, pit

wall, or a surface location (e.g., manually dug

hole), the subsampling process should be com-

pleted in a couple of minutes. If a surface has been

exposed for more than a couple of minutes, it

should no longer be considered fresh, and rough

trimming of at least 2 cm from the surface with a

clean spatula, scoop, knife, or shovel should be

performed before subsample collection. To obtain

and transfer a subsample, a hand-operated cor-

ing tool that acquires and holds a subsample of

the appropriate size for analysis (e.g., 5 g or larger)

should be used. Coring tools for the purpose of

transferring a subsample can be made from dis-

posable plastic syringes by cutting off the tapered

Figure 1. Modified 10-mL syringe and empty VOA vial.

front end and removing the rubber cap from the

The syringe was modified by removing the tip and rub-

plunger (Fig. 1). Plastic coring tools are commer-

ber plunger cap.