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ERDC/CRREL TN-04-1
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REQUIREMENTS
The requirements for the sampling tools developed by CRREL have evolved
over time. Initially, sampling took place only in summer on dry soils. Later,
sampling on snow- and ice-covered ranges was conducted, presenting a vastly
different sampling scenario. Although the basic requirement of the tools remains
the same, the application in contrasting environment led to two sets of tools.
The substances of interest in our research are initially deposited into the
environment in particulate form. Sampling is thus concentrated on land areas,
although some work with water is involved (sediments and sediment flow). For
the purpose of this Technical Note, only sampling on land is considered.
Two methods of sampling are widely employed, discrete sampling and
composite sampling. Discrete sampling usually involves a single, large-volume
sample taken from a limited number of locations in the area of concern. Com-
posite sampling involves combining a large (usually >30) number of small
discrete increments over the complete area of concern. An area can also be
subdivided and a number of composite samples taken.
In non-winter environments, the objective is to collect soils that may harbor
the contaminant. Soils can be cohesive or loose, requiring different approaches to
the collection of the samples. The weight and difficulty of handling, processing,
and analyzing a large amount of soil samples compels the use of compositing to
characterize a site. Small, very rugged, easy-to-use tools are thus required. These
tools must also be easily transported to and on the site and easy to clean. Inter-
changeability in the field is desirable in case the subsample size needs to be
altered or a part of the sampler breaks. In the case of cohesive soils, the ability
to obtain a soil plug is critical, as well as the ability to remove the plug intact for
possible division into depth increments. For non-cohesive soils such as sand or
gravels, obtaining uniform samples is the most difficult requirement.
Winter sampling requirements are similar but under very different condi-
tions. The sampling methods developed for winter tests entail the collection of
mixed snow and residue samples within the visible plume of a detonation. Sep-
arate samples from the detonation point may also be collected. If the snow is
underlain by ice and the area of the detonation has not been used that winter prior
to the test, the test conditions are essentially pristine and no cross-contamination
from previous tests is present. Thus, for sampling in winter, scoops are the tools
of choice. Again, the tools must be lightweight, easily transported, and simple to
clean.
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