Soil sampling – as easy as digging a hole and grabbing some dirt, isn’t it? No, it’s not! This series of 3 modules explores the nuances of soils and how they affect soil sample collection. The first module begins by explaining the importance of developing an understanding of the complexity of soils and their parent geologic materials, then addresses the correlation between site geology and contaminant movement through the unsaturated (vadose) zone and the saturated zone. With these fundamental concepts in place, discussions focus on how this complex relationship affects how and where soils should be sampled to ensure that objectives for both physical and chemical sample analysis can be met by the sampling program.   This module then builds upon the concept of developing a detailed 3-dimensional view of subsurface materials, and walks you through everything that needs to be addressed when planning a soil sampling program, including defining what a representative soil sample is. The second module addresses the differences between conventional (multi-phased) site characterization and accelerated/expedited site characterization, and how to use accelerated site characterization methods to accomplish more comprehensive, cost-effective and efficient site characterization programs. The third module covers the use of a variety of site-characterization tools (direct-push, sonic drilling, cone penetration testing and field analytical methods) and concludes by addressing the questions of how many soil borings should be installed, at what depth intervals samples should be taken, and how many samples are enough for any given project. While you may opt to take just one of these modules, it is strongly recommended that you take all three modules in the prescribed order if you want comprehensive coverage of the subject.

Module SS–06 (Total Length: 59 minutes) Price: $159.00 Sign in to Your E-School Account to Register

The Science Behind Soil Sampling – Part 1

• Understanding the Heterogeneous Nature of Soils and Their Parent Geologic Materials
• How Variations in Soil Type and Grain Size Affect the Movement of Water and Contaminants in the Vadose (Unsaturated) Zone and Saturated Zone
• Major Causes of Soil Heterogeneity
• Why it is Important to Understand the Complexity of Soil Samples and How That Complexity Affects Soil Sample Collection and Handling
• Planning a Soil Sampling Program
• Overview of Typical Soil Sampling Objectives
• Definitions of Representative Samples for Physical vs. Chemical Analysis at the Sample Scale and the Site Scale

Total CEUs for Module SS-06: 1 CEU

Module SS–07 (Total Length: 63 minutes) Price: $159.00 Sign in to Your E-School Account to Register

The Science Behind Soil Sampling – Part 2

• The Conventional Environmental Site Characterization Approach: Multi-Phased Sampling
• Improved Approaches to Environmental Site Characterization: Accelerated and Expedited Site Characterization
• Cost and Efficiency Benefits of Accelerated/Expedited Site Characterization vs. Conventional Multi-Phased Sampling

Total CEUs for Module SS-07: 1.1 CEUs

Module SS–08 (Total Length: 49 minutes) Price: $159.00 Sign in to Your E-School Account to Register

The Science Behind Soil Sampling – Part 3

• Methodologies and Technologies Used in Accelerated/Expedited Site Characterization
  • Direct-Push Technology
  • Sonic Drilling
  • Cone Penetration Testing
  • Field Analytical Methods
• Summary of Improved Site Characterization Using the Accelerated/Expedited Approach
• Determining How Many Boreholes to Install, What Depth Intervals to Sample, and How Many Samples to Collect

Total CEUs for Module SS-08: 1 CEU

At least a dozen different kinds of soil sampling devices are available for you to use for the collection of soil samples – some can be manually deployed (simple and cost-effective, but limited to shallow depths), and others must be mechanically deployed (more complex and expensive, but with greater depth capability). Some devices can be used to collect depth-discrete samples, while others can be used for continuous sampling. Not all devices are suited to all field conditions, and some devices are better than others for collecting soil samples that are destined for chemical analysis. This series of two modules discusses the factors that affect the selection of an appropriate soil sampling device or method for prevailing site conditions and site-specific sampling objectives. These modules discuss in detail the options for hand-operated devices such as push tubes and hand augers, through mechanically deployed devices used in conjunction with portable drive sources, direct-push rigs and several different types of drilling rigs. The use of supplemental accessories such as sample retainers and liners is also discussed in detail. 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 SS-09 (Total Length: 62 minutes) Price: $159.00 To Register, Log In to Your E-School Account

Selection and Use of Soil Sampling Equipment – Part 1

• Factors Affecting the Selection of an Appropriate Soil Sampling Method
• Selecting a Sampling Device to Suit Site-Specific Field Conditions
• Overview, Applications & Limitations of Hand-Operated Devices (Push Tubes and Hand Augers)
• Overview, Applications and Limitations of Devices Used with Direct-Push Rigs for Discrete and Continuous Soil Sampling

Total CEUs for Module SS-09: 1 CEU

Module SS-10 (Total Length: 85 minutes) Price: $159.00 To Register, Log In To Your E-School Account

Selection and Use of Soil Sampling Equipment – Part 2

• Overview, Applications and Limitations of Mechanically Assisted Devices (Split-Spoon Samplers, Thin-Wall Tube Samplers, Continuous Tube Samplers) Used with Drilling Rigs
  • Solid Stem Augers
  • Mud-Rotary Drilling
  • Sonic Drilling
  • Hollow-Stem Augers
• Pros and Cons of Using Soil Sample Liners and Sample Retainers

Total CEUs for Module SS-10: 1.4 CEUs