E-School

There is more to surface-water sampling than simply submerging the empty sample container into a river or lake! The importance of implementing correct sampling strategies and methods for surface-water sampling is often overlooked in environmental site investigation and characterization programs. This series of two modules introduces you to some of the important and unique terminology associated with sampling surface-water systems. It also reviews why it is important to understand how aquatic systems behave, how they are hydraulically connected to ground-water systems and why it is important to incorporate surface-water sampling into ground-water sampling programs at many sites. The first module discusses a variety of objectives of surface-water sampling projects, discusses in depth the many details that need to be considered when designing an effective surface-water sampling event, provides guidance on determining when to collect discrete vs. composite samples, and explains why taking vertical profiles with multi-parameter sondes can be an important part of determining where samples should be collected. Field videos in this module explain how to plan and prepare for a sampling event. The second module describes in detail the operational characteristics and applications of a variety of surface-water sampling devices, from pond samplers or “dippers” to depth-discrete sampling devices like Kemmerer samplers and Van Dorn bottles. Field videos in this module explain the use of a wide variety of sampling devices for collecting representative samples from surface-water bodies under a variety of field conditions. While you may opt to take just one of these modules, it is strongly recommended that you take both modules in the prescribed order if you want comprehensive coverage of the subject.

Module ES–28 (Total Length: 41 minutes) Price: $159.00 Sign in to Your E-School Account to Register

Overview of Aquatic Systems and Sampling Strategies for Surface Water

Overview of Terminology Unique to Surface-Water Sampling
Common Objectives of Surface-Water Sampling Programs
Grab Samples vs. Composite Samples
Understanding “Lake Turnover” and Why it is Commonly Monitored
Sampling Strategies for Shallow Surface-Water Systems
Sampling Strategies for Deep Surface-Water Systems
Common Difficulties Encountered in Establishing Background Sampling Locations

Module ES–29 (Total Length: 55 minutes) Price: $159.00 Sign in to Your E-School Account to Register

Overview of Surface-Water Sampling Devices

Overview of Devices Available for Sampling Surface-Water Sampling
General Selection Criteria for Surface-Water Sampling Devices
Devices Used for Depth-Discrete Sampling
Devices Used for Composite Sampling

Total CEUs for Module ES-28: 1 CEU

Total CEUs for Module ES-29: 1 CEU

Sediments are an important component of any aquatic system. Sediment sampling is typically conducted at the same time as surface-water sampling because of the obvious physical connection between the two media. However, as is the case with soil samples, there are a number of unique features of sediment samples that must be considered when designing a sediment sampling program. This module discusses how the complexity of sediment samples affects where and how we collect sediment samples. It introduces terminology unique to sediment sampling and describes a number of common objectives of sediment sampling programs. A variety of manually deployed and mechanically deployed devices used for collection of shallow surface sediment grab samples and depth-discrete samples, and the applications and limitations of these devices are discussed in detail. Upon completion of this module, you will understand why sediment sampling is such hard work and why sampling device selection is more involved that choosing something that looks good in a catalog!

Module ES-30 (Total Length: 57 minutes) Price: $159.00 Sign in to Your E-School Account to Register

Overview of Sampling Strategies and Sampling Devices for Sediment