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ERDC/CRREL TR-02-1
APPENDIX B: SOIL SAMPLING
Guide:
1. Review of historical records
2. Site clearance
3. Composite sampling of surface soils
4. Vertical profile sampling beneath surface hot spots
Sample Collection
After the sampling site has been cleared to the appropriate safety level, sam-
pling of potentially EM-contaminated soil can proceed. For each discrete or com-
posite sample, a minimum of 500 g of soil should be collected and stored at a low
temperature (typically less than 4C) until it is processed for analysis. Soil sam-
ples can be collected using clean metal or rigid plastic tools. The collection tool
used often depends on the cohesiveness, coarseness, and moisture of the soil. In
general, when sampling a surface, hand-held scoop-shaped devices work well,
but a hammer and chisel may be needed for consolidated materials. When shal-
low-depth sampling is necessary, a metal corer (stainless steel hand corer) that is
manually pushed or driven into the ground can be used. Often mechanically
driven sampling equipment will be necessary when sampling at depths greater
than a meter. All of the equipment that comes into contact with the soil should be
carefully wiped with a clean paper towel, washed with acetone, and air dried
between sampling locations.
Sample Containers and Storage
Polyethylene bags or glass jars can be used as containers when collecting soil
samples in the field and for storage prior to preparing (i.e., drying, sieving, and
thoroughly mixing; see Soil Sample Mixing and Subsampling below) for sub-
sampling, since these materials are resistant to adsorption of explosives. Imme-
diately after sample collection, the bags should be cooled and stored in the dark
(e.g., in ice coolers). Polyethylene bags are more practical than glass jars during
field activities because they decrease the space needed for storing samples,
reduce shipping costs, and impart lower risks of breakage during sample
transport. Soil subsamples (a portion removed from a well-mixed sample) should
be stored in wide-mouth 4-oz amber glass jars with polypropylene- or Teflon-
lined caps. Amber glass prevents photodegradation of light-sensitive TNT and
other nitroaromatic compounds. The holding time for soil samples is addressed in
Appendix E.
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