Developing an effective environmental sampling strategy is a complex task that requires significant planning and forethought. Prior to selecting an appropriate strategy, it is essential to review as many background documents as possible about the site and its surroundings, to create an initial conceptual site model (CSM). With the preliminary CSM in place, you must then field-verify the details of your model by conducting a thorough site reconnaissance. There are many questions that must be asked and answered during site reconnaissance that will guide you through the development of an effective sampling strategy. This topic is covered in two modules. The first module walks you through the development of a CSM and demonstrates how to conduct an effective site reconnaissance. You will learn how to use information obtained during site reconnaissance to fine-tune the CSM and how information obtained in the field during site reconnaissance is used in the development of effective sampling strategies and selection of appropriate sampling procedures. This module also provides a detailed look at sample collection from the perspective of determining whether to collect discrete or composite samples. The second module covers the why, where and how, and the critical importance of collecting background samples, as well as the various strategies typically utilized to collect samples in three dimensions to satisfy project objectives. You may opt to take just one of the modules, but it is strongly recommended that you take both modules in the prescribed order if you want comprehensive coverage of the subject.

Module ES–02 (Total Length: 60 minutes) Price: $159.00 Register Using Your E-School Account

Developing a Conceptual Site Model and Fine-Tuning it With Site Reconnaissance

• Developing a Preliminary Conceptual Site Model (CSM) Prior to Developing Your Sampling Strategy
• Types of Background Information to Review
• Conducting an Effective Site Reconnaissance
• Questions to Ask During Site Reconnaissance to Fine-Tune the CSM and Focus the Sampling Strategy
• Addressing Environmental Variability in the Field
• Evaluation of the Best Type of Sample to Meet Project Objectives – Grab (Discrete) Sampling vs. Composite Sampling
• Advantages and Limitations of Grab (Discrete) Samples vs. Composite Samples

Module ES–03 (Total Length: 47 minutes) Price: $159.00 Register Using Your E-School Account

Strategies for Three-Dimensional Sampling of Environmental Media

• Collecting Background Samples – Why, Where and How
• Determining Where to Collect Samples
  • Haphazard Sampling
  • Judgmental Sampling
  • Probability (Statistical) Sampling
  • Multi-Incremental Sampling
  • Search Sampling
  • Hybrid Sampling

Total CEUs for Module ES-02: 1 CEU

Total CEUs for Module ES-03: 1 CEU

During environmental sampling events, a wide variety of field equipment is used to collect samples from a multitude of media and to perform field analysis on a variety of media. It is a common practice to use most equipment on a portable basis, at more than one sampling location. This is certainly convenient, but introduces the potential for cross-contamination of sampling locations and individual samples, both of which will affect the representative nature of samples collected. To prevent this potentially very serious and costly problem, it is critical to implement thorough and effective field equipment cleaning protocols. Within this module, classroom presentations and four separate field videos discuss in detail field equipment cleaning protocols that apply to equipment used for sampling soil, ground water, surface water and sediment. Additionally, classroom discussions cover cleaning protocols for equipment used at a variety of waste management units (e.g. landfills, surface impoundments, drums, dumpsters, waste piles) and artifacts (e.g. flooring, ceiling tile, walls). Learn how decontamination procedures may vary according to the medium being sampled and by contaminants being analyzed in samples. Discover why a few of the “detergents” commonly used for field equipment cleaning should be avoided for some field applications because they may contain phosphates, and why others may introduce trace amounts of semi-volatile compounds if not diluted sufficiently. You will also learn important terminology such as the differences between portable, dedicated, designated and disposable field equipment.

Module ES–04 (Total Length: 103 minutes) Price: $159.00 Register Using Your E-School Account

Field Equipment Decontamination Procedures for Multi-Media Environmental Sampling

• Purposes of Field Equipment Decontamination
• Considerations for Selection of an Effective Field Decontamination Protocol
• Discussion of ASTM Standards D 5088 and D 5608 on Field Equipment Decontamination
• Control Water – Understanding the Term and How it Affects Decon Water Selection for Various Media, Contaminants and Equipment
• Dedicated vs. Designated vs. Portable vs. Disposable Equipment – Understanding the Differences and Building Them Into Your Cleaning Protocols
• Unique Options for Cleaning Surface Water and Sediment Sampling Devices
• Problems Associated With Using Chemical Desorbing Agents
• QA/QC Elements of Equipment Cleaning Programs
• Avoiding Common Errors in the Field During Equipment Cleaning

Total CEUs for Module ES-04: 1.7 CEUs

Register Now for Module ES-04