3 Experimental
3.1 Contractors Involved
Defence Construction Canada (DCC) was responsible of hiring the analytical
laboratory and for supplying all of the analytical tools, solvents, bottles, etc., and the
manpower to assist DRDC Valcartier, CRREL and EL for the sampling of soils,
vegetation and surface water samples. They were also responsible for the shipment of
all samples to the laboratories. The analytical work for metals was sub-contracted to
Enviro-Test Laboratory (ETL) in Edmonton, Alberta. All of the energetic materials
analyses were performed by DRDC Valcartier except the samples collected for the
statistical analysis, which were analysed at CRREL.
3.2 Sample Handling and Treatment
Explosives are not volatile compounds, and, therefore, no specific precautions, such
as the use of sealed containers, had to be taken during sampling of media containing
explosives. Soil samples were composites based on a minimum of 20-30 random sub
samples and were stored in polyethylene bags. The bags were immediately stored on
ice in coolers in the dark to avoid photodegradation of light-sensitive compounds. The
use of polyethylene bags decreased the space needed for storing samples and reduced
shipping costs. The soil samples were shipped frozen to ETL who splitted the samples
into two sub samples after a thorough hand homogenization. One set of frozen
samples was sent to DRDC Valcartier for explosives analysis and the other was
digested and analyzed for metals by ETL. Sediment samples were collected in
polyethylene bags after sedimentation and removal of the excess water by
decantation. These sediment samples were treated as soils and were stored on ice in
coolers in the dark and later shipped frozen to the analytical laboratory. Surface water
samples for metals analyses were collected in standard 500-ml polyethylene bottles,
and acidified to a pH of 2. These water samples were not filtered on site since
particles in surface water can be ingested by wildlife. Surface water samples for
energetic materials were kept cold in 1-L amber glass bottles, stabilized with sodium
bisulfate (1.5 g) and sent to DRDC Valcartier for explosive analysis. Vegetation
samples were collected in polyethylene bags, kept frozen in the dark, and sent to ETL.
The samples were then cut in small pieces, homogenized, digested and analyzed for
metals by ETL.
3.3 Parameters Monitored and Analytical Methods
Soil and surface water samples were analysed for metals and energetic materials
while vegetation and sediment samples were analysed only for metals. Metals were
analysed by Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometry (ICP/MS) by ETL. All
of the parameters available by this method were included in the study. For soils and
surface water samples, energetic materials were analysed at DRDC Valcartier using
the Reverse Phase High Pressure Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) USA EPA SW
846 Method 8330, a method that can produce a 0.1 ppm detection limit. See the EPA
Method 8330 found on their internet site (www.epa.gov) for a complete description of
4
DRDC Valcartier TR 2004-204
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