Follow NEMC
 |
 |
 |
Application of Incremental Sampling Methodology to Sediments
Poster Presentation
Prepared by M. Bruce
TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc., 4101 Shuffel St NW, North Canton, OH, 44720
Contact Information: mark.bruce@testamericainc.com; 330-966-7267
ABSTRACT
Background
The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) team on Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) spent three years developing guidance to improve the quality of site characterization. The ITRC ISM guidance document was publically released in February 2012, with internet given several time throughout 2012. This original guidance addressed terrestrial surface and subsurface soil situations. The same principles can be applied to sediments. However, the actual processes need to be modified for this aquatic environment and the higher moisture content typical in sediments. The state of Hawaii has already begun adapting the ISM principles to the aquatic sediment environment.
Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) is a sampling and analysis protocol that is designed to reduce data variability and to increase sample representativeness. ISM helps to minimize the sampling errors associated with sampling by providing a systematic approach to project planning and field work, as well as an emphasis on quality assurance/quality control measures throughout the sampling effort and not just in the laboratory. Similar resources applied to an ISM project will often reduce uncertainty far more than a project conducted using discrete sampling methods. This reduced uncertainty in some instances can reduce remediation or environmental liability insurance costs.
Approach
This presentation will primarily focus on the modifications needed to accommodate the laboratory processing of ISM sediment samples. The topics include moisture management, particle size selection, particle size reduction and subsampling.
Lessons Learned
Air drying when needed requires additional surface area and time to produce a dry flowable sample. However, the high initial water content of sediments with flowable characteristics makes particle size selection and particle size reduction without the air drying step more feasible than with sticky terrestrial soil samples. Subsampling using the two dimensional slabcake process on dried sediments works as well as it does for dried terrestrial soils. However, high water content sediments aren’t easily subsampled using the square scoops commonly used in the dry sample two dimensional slabcake process. Subsampling high water content sediments is an area on on-going research.
(Related Session: Contaminated Sediments)
Poster Presentation
Prepared by M. Bruce
TestAmerica Laboratories, Inc., 4101 Shuffel St NW, North Canton, OH, 44720
Contact Information: mark.bruce@testamericainc.com; 330-966-7267
ABSTRACT
Background
The Interstate Technology and Regulatory Council (ITRC) team on Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) spent three years developing guidance to improve the quality of site characterization. The ITRC ISM guidance document was publically released in February 2012, with internet given several time throughout 2012. This original guidance addressed terrestrial surface and subsurface soil situations. The same principles can be applied to sediments. However, the actual processes need to be modified for this aquatic environment and the higher moisture content typical in sediments. The state of Hawaii has already begun adapting the ISM principles to the aquatic sediment environment.
Incremental Sampling Methodology (ISM) is a sampling and analysis protocol that is designed to reduce data variability and to increase sample representativeness. ISM helps to minimize the sampling errors associated with sampling by providing a systematic approach to project planning and field work, as well as an emphasis on quality assurance/quality control measures throughout the sampling effort and not just in the laboratory. Similar resources applied to an ISM project will often reduce uncertainty far more than a project conducted using discrete sampling methods. This reduced uncertainty in some instances can reduce remediation or environmental liability insurance costs.
Approach
This presentation will primarily focus on the modifications needed to accommodate the laboratory processing of ISM sediment samples. The topics include moisture management, particle size selection, particle size reduction and subsampling.
Lessons Learned
Air drying when needed requires additional surface area and time to produce a dry flowable sample. However, the high initial water content of sediments with flowable characteristics makes particle size selection and particle size reduction without the air drying step more feasible than with sticky terrestrial soil samples. Subsampling using the two dimensional slabcake process on dried sediments works as well as it does for dried terrestrial soils. However, high water content sediments aren’t easily subsampled using the square scoops commonly used in the dry sample two dimensional slabcake process. Subsampling high water content sediments is an area on on-going research.
(Related Session: Contaminated Sediments)