Field Sampling Tools
3
Residue Collection Tools
Over the last five years, CRREL has concentrated on the manual collection
of residues from active ranges. Thus, the focus of our development efforts has
been on hand tools. A study of collection strategies has paralleled our research on
explosives residues. The objective of the study is to devise a collection strategy
that will minimize the number of samples required for a representative charac-
terization of an area or event. A robust composite sampling strategy is the goal.
For composite sampling, many small subsamples are combined into one
sample for analysis. The tools, therefore, will be small and easy to handle. The
sampled media for the two seasons are different enough that most of the tools
will be specific for a particular season. Tools for use during summer will be
discussed first.
Soil Samplers
Several commercial tools for sampling soils that approximated our needs
were available at the start of our work. These included various-size sample
scoops, light-duty bulb planters, and small coring devices. The shortcomings of
these tools quickly manifested themselves. The bulb planter handles snapped off.
They were not designed for use in the compacted and rocky soils where we used
them. The coring devices were too small and difficult to clean. And the scoops
gave inconsistent sample amounts. New tools were needed.
The tools developed for cohesive soils sampling are shown in Figure 1. The
two sampling heads in the foreground are replacements for the flimsy commer-
cial bulb planter. The cutter heads are machined from 2-1/4-in.-OD 3/16-in.-
wall seamless stainless steel tube. They are designed to take 4.75-cm-diameter
cores that are up to 12 cm long. These are welded to 1-1/4-in. stainless steel
angles. A 1-1/4-in.-OD 1/4-in.-wall extension is also welded to the angle to
mount the Schedule 40 steel handle extension, shown at the back. The handle is
shown in the rear left. The shaft is made of 1/2-in. Schedule 40 aluminum tube
with a 3/4-in. Schedule 40 cross-piece. Cottered or self-locking 0.8-cm (5/16-in.)
pins are used to assemble the tool. Parts are designed to be interchangeable and
fit in a 36- 56-cm shipping container (Rubbermaid ActionPacker).
The two corers in the center of the image are designed to take smaller
samples. Each has an adjustable stop that can also be used to eject the core from
the cutter. The corer on the right will take a 2.8- 7.6-cm-long core, the one on
the left a 4.5- 7.6-cm-long core. Core depth is adjustable with the stop. The
larger unit is designed for use with a 120-mL widemouth jar and can be used as
both a discrete sampler and a composite sampler. The smaller unit is designed so
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