On-Site Course Descriptions

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On-Site Course Details

*Soil Sampling for Volatile Organic Compounds Using EPA Method 5035 (1 Day)*
Learn More	This Course is Only Available on an On-Site Basis
Learn More	Course Description
Learn More	Course Outline
Learn More	Testimonials -- See What Past Students Thought of This Course
Learn More	State Approvals for This Course
Learn More	What Other Courses Are Available?

Course Description

Students collect in-situ EnCore samples during this field session and prepare them for shipment to the laboratory for extraction and analysis.

Students use field analytical balances to weigh soil samples prior to introducing them to tared vials containing methanol.

Collection of soil samples for VOC analysis is a critical component of environmental investigations at many sites, ranging from service stations to Superfund sites. Traditional soil sample collection and handling methods are subject to significant sources of negative bias that commonly result in gross underestimation of actual sample concentrations for a wide range of analytes. Given the magnitude of the decisions that are made based on these data, the technical and economic impacts of using these sampling methods can be enormous.

This one-day course focuses on developing an understanding of the physical and chemical properties of soil samples, how samples should be collected and handled to preserve these properties, and how traditional sampling methods can result in significant sources of error in field and lab analyses. In addition, course instructors discuss how and where to collect soil samples to meet project objectives; how to determine how many samples should be collected; ASTM standards on soil sample collection and handling; and how to implement US EPA's Method 5035 for soil sample collection and analysis for VOCs.

Students will be able to immediately apply information provided in this course to field projects where VOCs are of concern and, in doing so, should significantly improve the quality of data generated during soil investigations so sound decisions can be made in a cost-effective manner.

Course Outline

Review of What a Soil Sample Really is
- Understanding the Term "Bulk Matrix" Sample
- Types of Information That a Soil Sample Can Provide
- Common Sources of Error in Traditional Soil Sample Collection
How Volatile Contaminants Behave in Soil Matrices
- Phases in Which VOCs Occur in Soil Matrices
  - Non-Aqueous Phase (Free Phase)
  - Dissolved (Aqueous Phase)
  - Residual (Adsorbed) Phase
  - Vapor Phase
- Physical Processes Affecting Occurrence and Movement of Volatile Constituents in Soil
  - Advection
  - Diffusion
  - Adsorption
  - Volatilization
- Chemical Processes Affecting Occurrence and Movement of Volatile Constituents in Soil
  - Oxidation/Reduction Reactions
- Biological Processes Affecting Occurrence and Movement of Volatile Constituents in Soil
  - Biotransformation
  - Biodegradation
Typical Objectives of Soil Sampling Programs
- Site Characterization
- Geotechnical Testing
- Facilitate Formation-Specific Design of Monitoring Wells
- Identification and Determination of 3-Dimensional Distribution of Contaminants
- Determination of Feasibility for Natural Attenuation
- Provide Support Information for Site Remedial Design
- Verification of Satisfying Site Remedial Objectives
Elements of Quality Assurance/Quality Control in Soil Sampling
- Preparation of an Effective Sampling & Analysis Plan
- Sample Collection Techniques
- Proper Selection of Sampling Equipment and Containers
- Use of Field Quality Control Samples
- Sample Handling Procedures
- Field Decontamination of Sampling Equipment
Effective Strategies for Soil Sample Collection for VOCs
- Determining What Type(s) of Samples to Collect
  - Discrete
  - Composite
- Determining Locations for Sample Collection
  - Haphazard Sampling
  - Judgmental Sampling
  - Probability (Statistical) Sampling
  - Hybrid Sampling
  - Multi-Incremental Sampling
  - Strategies Applied Specifically to UST Sites
- Vertical Profiling and 3-D Soil Sampling
- Determining How Many Samples are Enough
Soil Sample Collection Methods
- Overview of Devices Available
  - Manual Sampling Devices
  - Tools Used with Direct-Push Equipment
  - Sampling Devices Used with Drilling Rigs
  - Sampling Device Selection Criteria
  - Advantages and Limitations of Various Soil Sampling Devices for VOCs
Difficulties in Soil Sample Collection for VOCs
- Unique Problems Associated with Collecting VOC Samples in Soils
- How VOCs are Lost from Soil Samples
- Determining the Most "Representative" Portions of Soil Samples for Chemical Analysis
- Problems with Traditional Sample Collection Techniques
Overview of US EPA Method 5035 Closed System Purge-and-Trap and Extraction for Volatile Organics in Soil and Waste Samples
- Objectives of Method 5035
- Strategies for Sampling Soils for VOC Analysis
  - Volumetric Sampling Method: EnCore Samplers
    - How to Correctly Use EnCore Samplers
    - Determining How to Locate Sample Collection Points from Cores and for In-Situ Samples
    - Advantages and Limitations to the Method
  - Chemical Preservation Methods
    - Low-Level Techniques
    - High-Level Techniques
    - Soil Sample Collection Device Options
    - Applications and Limitations to Chemical Preservation Methods
- Practical Limitations of Method 5035
  - Soil Sample Collection Issues
  - Issues Associated with Working with Chemical Preservatives
- The Lab Perspective on Method 5035
  - Problems with Traditional Sample Collection Methods
  - Advantages of Method 5035
  - Limitations of Method 5035
    - Instrumentation Requirements
    - Problems with Sample Effervescence
    - Methanol Contamination
    - Detection Limit Issues
Overview of ASTM D4547 Standard Practice for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile Organics
- Objectives of the Standard
- Recommended Sample Collection Devices
- Sample Handling Procedures
Field Session: Implementing Method 5035 In the Field
- Soil Sample Description
- Determining Where to Collect Soil Samples
  - Visual Determination of Apparent Contamination
  - Use of PIDs to Determine Location of VOCs
  - Identification of Changes in Grain Size of Soils
- Collection of Volumetric Samples Using the EnCore Sampler System
- Collection of Samples for Chemical Preservation
- Preparing Samples for Shipment to the Lab

Testimonials - Read What Past Students Thought of This Course!

Interested in reading testimonials from other students who have taken this course? Click here to read some of the comments students have written us about the course Soil Sampling for Volatile Organic Compounds Using EPA Method 5035

Looking to Earn Continuing Education Credits For This Course From a State Agency Program?

The Nielsen Environmental Field School is an Internationally recognized provider of quality environmental field training courses. As a result, our courses are widely accepted by both regulatory and non-regulatory state agencies that require environmental professionals to obtain training to maintain professional licenses or accreditations. A summary of some of the agencies that have included this course in their list of approved courses is provided below. If you don't see a particular program listed, give us a call.

Massachusetts Licensed Site Professionals (MA LSPs)
Credit Hours: 8 / Course Number 1201

Connecticut Licensed Environmental Professionals (CT LEPs)
Credit Hours: 8 / Course Number 094

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality - Corrective Action Project Managers (TCEQ CAPMs)
Credit Hours: 8

Oklahoma Remediation Consultants
Credit Hours: 8

Iowa Landfill Operators
Credit Hours: 8

Iowa Drilling Contractors
Credit Hours: 8

Florida Landfill Operators
Credit Hours: 8

Ohio EPA Voluntary Action Program (OH VAP) Certified Professionals
Credit Hours: 8

West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection (WV DEP) Licensed Remediation Specialists
Credit Hours: 8

There are as many different ways to calculate "Continuing Education Units" (CEUs) as there are programs that accept our courses for earning continuing education credit. Contact the program you are working with to determine exactly how it calculates CEUs.

What Other Courses Are Available?

The Nielsen Environmental Field School offers a number of field courses, all designed to address the practical needs of environmental field professionals. Click on any of the following links to obtain specific information on any of our other popular field courses:

The Environmental Sampling Field Course

The Complete Ground-Water Sampling Field Course

The Complete Surface-Water and Sediment Sampling Field Course

The Complete Ground-Water Monitoring Field Course

The Complete Ground-Water Monitoring Well Design, Installation & Development Field Course

Low-Flow Purging and Sampling and No-Purge Sampling Field Course

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575-532-5535