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SAMPLING OF CONTAMINATED SITES
Citation:
Busche, F. D. AND D S. Burden*. SAMPLING OF CONTAMINATED SITES. HAZARDOUS MATERIALS CONTROL 4(3):35-40, (1991).
Impact/Purpose:
To inform public.
Description:
A critical aspect of characterization of the amount and species of contamination of a hazardous waste site is the sampling plan developed for that site. f the sampling plan is not thoroughly conceptualized before sampling takes place, then certain critical aspects of the limits of the contamination may be ignored. f a contaminant has both a petroleum and a heavy metal component there may be a separation of components in the subsurface because of interaction with the mineral matter contained in the subsurface environment. f only surface samples are taken to characterize the extent of the contaminated area, then the separation of phases will go undetected. ome pure metal species are somewhat chemically inert. s a result, there is a tendency for these materials to accumulate or "nugget". his potential "nugget" effect must be considered when assessing the representativeness of both the original sample and subsamples of that fundamental sample that are analyzed instrumentally. his paper presents a discussion of some strategic sampling questions that should be addressed before going into the field to collect data. e will discuss the influence on the site sampling plan of the solutions to the following queries. Reprint available at NTIS. NTIS PB92110436, EPA/600/J-91/240.