Introduction to Soil Sampling
Source: LABB / St. Bernard Citizens for Environmental Quality Post Katrina Soil Sampling

Overview

•    The lab we used was the lab that analyzes our bucket samples, Columbia Analytical.  Jacksonville (904-739-2277) is the branch that analyzes soil. My contact was Tom Kissinger.

•    As with air samples, the cost of the analysis depends on what you want to sample for. The sample can range from $250 - $600, and probably more.

•    The lab can test for diesel, heavy metals, PAH’s and other compounds and chemicals.

•    Before you sample, order purged glass jars from the lab. This usually takes about a week.

•    Wear gloves when gathering the sample. We used latex gloves.

•    Gather the sample with a stainless steel tool, such as a spoon or small shovel. Using stainless steel assures that you won’t contaminate the sample. You can re use the implement if you clean it with alcohol. However, to avoid contamination, we used a new digging tool for every sample.

•    When deciding where to sample, choose the most contaminated looking patch of soil.

•    Pack the jars full with soil. Do not put leaves, sticks, etc. in the jar.

•    Label the jars with the time, date and sampling location. Complete the chain of custody form.

•    Take the soil from a specific area, about 1” – 3”. Combining soil from different parts of the area makes a composite sample, and that’s a whole other matter that you need to talk with Tom about.

•    After taking the samples, put them on ice in a cooler, and ship it to the lab overnight.

Lessons Learned

Columbia Analytical Services is a wonderful lab

Tom Kissinger went way beyond the call of duty to teach me how to take soil samples. Not only was Tom helpful, but their lab abilities are strong as well. CAS’ detection limits were much lower than another lab we used. Even the workers at the other lab were impressed with the detection limits at CAS.

The principles that you’ve learned through bucket samples are applicable to soil sampling

Hot spot monitoring, detection limits, what chemicals you’re sampling for – every principle you have learned in air sampling applies to soil sampling. Use your knowledge. (see Intro to Air Sampling for more info)

It’s important to communicate what the results mean and don’t mean

Soil sampling can be tricky. You choose to take a sample in a small area, when the contamination may be vast. Manage people’s expectations AHEAD of time, so that they won’t come to the conclusion that the property is “clean” if the sample doesn’t show any chemicals. What that means is that that area did not exceed detection limits; it does not mean that the entire sampling region is clean.