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SAMPLING FOR ORGANIC CHEMICALS AND MICROORGANISMS IN THE SUBSURFACE
Citation:
Dunlap, W., J. McNabb, M. Scalf, AND R. Cosby. SAMPLING FOR ORGANIC CHEMICALS AND MICROORGANISMS IN THE SUBSURFACE. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Washington, D.C., EPA/600/2-77/176 (NTIS PB272679), 1977.
Description:
Procedures currently used by the Ground Water Research Branch of the Environmental Protection Agency for sampling for organic pollutants and microorganisms in ground waters and subsurface earth solids are presented. Technology is described for construction of wells capable of providing representative, uncontaminated samples of ground water in compact alluvial formations at relatively shallow depths and for obtaining cores of subsurface earth solids suitable for organic and microbial analyses in similar circumstances. Methods for acquisition of grab samples of ground water suitable for total organic and microbial analyses and for analyses of volatile organics are presented. Continuous sampling of organics in ground waters lying within approximately 7.5 m (25 ft) of the surface by sampling units using selected absorbents is described, including details of adsorbent columns, configuration of and housings for sampling systems, and sample handling. Procedures for handling and processing of core materials to produce samples amenable to analytical methods for organics and microorganisms are also presented. The procedures described provide a basic capability for sampling for organic pollutants and microorganisms in relatively shallow subsurface environments, and have potential application in many investigations pertaining to ground-water pollution. Additional research is needed, however, to further evaluate, improve, and extend their capabilities.