During drilling of boreholes for site characterization and monitoring well installation, soil samples must be collected at the site to document site-specific geologic conditions in the subsurface. These soil samples are used to develop a detailed understanding of site hydrogeology, to determine the presence/absence of contamination, to determine the location, physical and chemical characteristics of target monitoring zones in which wells will be installed, and to design well screens and filter packs. This series of two modules uses a comprehensive series of classroom and field videos to provide instruction on proper procedures for collection of soil samples for both physical and chemical analysis, parameters and techniques for detailed physical soil sample description, and proper handling of soil samples during sampling events. 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-14 (Total Length: 65 minutes) Price: $159.00 To Register, Sign in to Your E-School Account

Soil Sample Collection, Description & Handling in the Field -- Planning and Preparation for Soil Sample Collection and Description; Describing Soil Samples in the Field (Part 1)

• Objectives of Soil Sample Description
• Important Principles Applied in Soil Sample Description
• Preparing for a Soil Sampling Event
  • Items to Discuss With the Drilling/Direct-Push Contractor Prior to Mobilizing to the Site
  • Equipment and Materials Recommended for Soil Sample Description and Handling
  • Checklists for Soil Sample Description in the Field
• Soil Classification Systems – USCS (ASTM Standards D 2487 and D 2488), USDA and Others
• Describing Soil Samples – 26 Physical Sample Descriptors to Record (Part 1)
  • Grain Size, Degree of Sorting, Particle Angularity/Roundness/Shape, Mineralogy, Density/Consistency, Plasticity/Cohesiveness, Moisture Content, Color (Including Use of Munsell Soil Color Charts)

Total CEUs for Module SS-14: 1.1 CEUs

Module SS-15 (Total Length: 85 minutes) Price: $159.00 To Register, Sign in to Your E-School Account

Soil Sample Collection, Description & Handling in the Field -- Describing Soil Samples in the Field (Part 2); Handling Soil Samples in the Field

• Describing Soil Samples – 26 Physical Sample Descriptors to Record (Part 2)
  • Sedimentary Features, Presence of Macropores, Redox Conditions, Organic Matter, Degree of Weathering, Carbonate Content, and Other Descriptors
• Handling Soil Samples During the Sampling Event
• Samples Used for Physical Analysis
• Samples Used for Chemical Analysis

Total CEUs for Module SS-15: 1.4 CEUs

Your soil samples may have been collected using the highest degree of care, but your job is still not complete – the samples need to get to the laboratory in good condition, on time and in compliance with shipping regulations.   This module discusses options available for sample delivery to the laboratory, dealing with awkward samples that pose shipping difficulties, and how to ship samples that are classified as being hazardous under shipping regulations. You will learn about tamper-proofing mechanisms that should be used in many projects to protect the physical and chemical integrity of your samples, and learn why U.S. EPA’s definition of “hazardous” does not necessarily agree with shipping regulation definitions of hazardous. Learn why you need to know about IATA and DOT shipping regulations and why you need to be certified to ship hazardous environmental samples.

Module SS-16 (Total Length: 70 minutes) Price: $159.00 Sign in to Your E-School Account to Register

Soil Sample Handling and Shipment

• Special Problems Encountered When Shipping Soil and Rock Samples
• Options for Getting Samples From the Field to the Laboratory
• Preparing for Sample Shipment
• Discussion of ASTM Standard D 6911 on Packaging and Shipping Environmental Samples for Laboratory Analysis
• Mechanisms to Protect Samples From Tampering During a Sampling Event and Shipment to the Laboratory
• Understanding the Role of Chain-of-Custody Forms – Their Purpose, When and How They Should be Completed
• Overview of DOT and IATA Shipping Regulations and How These Regulations Affect Getting Samples to the Laboratory
• How to Correctly Pack a Cooler Containing Uncontaminated Samples for Delivery
• What Happens to Samples When They Arrive at the Laboratory

Total CEUs for Module SS-16: 1.2 CEUs