Environmental Sampling Techniques - Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Analysis - page 84

Preparations include, but not limited to, cleaning, labeling and organizing
sample containers, preservation chemicals, decontamination of sampling
equipment and device, and calibrating field monitoring equipment. A great
deal of time is spent on in situ measurement such as for water/groundwater
quality (pH, oxidation-reduction potential, screening methods), hydrogeolo-
gical and/or meteorological parameters.
Having the right tools and other essential items will make your sampling
work less frustrating and more productive. While the needed items may vary
from project to project, below is a list of an ''Ideal Tool Kit'' adapted from
Bodger (2003):
The container: A sturdy plastic container (e.g., Rubbermaid 1 ) or a metal
toolbox kept in your vehicle can be used to organize your tools and
supplies.
The tool contents: The box should contain a few important tools such as a
wrench, screwdriver, plier, hammer, duct tape, wire stripper, tape measure,
Teflon tape, electrical tape, flashlight, mirror, hand cleaner, gloves, clip-
board, paper towel, and permanent marker.
The field topic and the Chain-of-Custody form: These are the crucial
documents that can be used in a court of law. The EPA guidelines
recommend not only that field topics are pre-numbered, but also that
there are lines for your signature and the date on each page.
Other supplies related to: (a) decontamination (brushes, plastic sheeting,
bucket, solvent spray, aluminum foil, soap, distilled water), (b) waste
disposal (trash bag, liquid waste containers), and (c) health and safety
equipment (safety glasses, hard hat, steel-toe boots, first-aid kit, ear plugs).
Always carry a map, a global positioning system (GPS), and a camera
with you. Have important telephone numbers and emergency contacts
handy.
4.2.1 Surface Water and Wastewater Sampling
Fresh surface waters are commonly separated into three groups: flowing waters
(rivers, streams, and creeks), static waters (lakes, lagoons, ponds, and artificial
impoundments), and estuaries. Waters in general also include tap water, rain, fog,
snow, ice, dew, vapor, and steam. Wastewaters include mine drainage, landfill
leachate, and industrial effluents, and so forth. These waters differ in their
characteristics, therefore sample collection must be adapted to each. Because of this
great variability and each may represent its own specific practices and procedures,
we focus on several important types of surface waters in the following discussions.
The sizes of the stream or river and the amount of turbulence have a major
influence on the representativeness of water samples to be collected. Identifying
sampling locations that are well-mixed vertically or ones that are horizontally