Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
8
Sample Transport and Storage
As soon as the sample is removed from the medium in which it is located it is considered
to be in transit. During this process there are three main concerns. First is the integrity of
the sample. The sample must be secure from loss, tampering, or contamination. Second,
its identification must be maintained so that the results of analysis can be related back to
the field and site where the sample was taken. Third, the sample must not be allowed to
contaminate or be contaminated by the environments through which it travels. Particular
concern is for the personnel handling the sample, some of whom may know little about
the potential dangers in the sample.
Next to the actual taking of a sample, its transport and storage are most likely to cause
variation or inaccuracies in the analytical results. As mentioned both in previous chapters
and below, exposure to light, variations in temperature, wetting, and drying are all
storage and transport problems likely to cause variations in analytical results. It is not
sufficient to throw the samples in the back of the truck and get around to sending them
off for analysis when time permits.
A flow chart of the movement of sample from field to laboratory and analysis is given
in Figure 8.1. This is given as an example only, as various analytical laboratories and
different projects may have different flows of samples.
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