TEST METHOD: SAMPLE COLLECTING, HANDLING & TRANSPORTING

Revised 26 April 2004 (added details on soil sample containers)

RISK ASSESSMENT

Assess Safety, Health, Quality and Environmental aspects of each specific step.

OVERVIEW

To ensure samples represent the soil, brine or waters they were collected from, all samples shall be handled as specified in this test method.

TASK SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

Safety boots are mandatory. Glasses and overalls or a laboratory coat shall be worn to protect against chemical splashes.

SAMPLE LOCATIONS AND TIMING

Waters: The choice of sampling sites is important when testing surface waters, because the samples must be representative of the site being tested. Sampling in creeks and dams should take place at a point where there is some depth obtainable, without the sampler causing disturbance to the sediment. It may be necessary to place a structure out into the water if the shallows are less than 50 cm deep. Always attempt to conduct sampling during relatively calm weather, so as to avoid sampling resuspended sediments. If samples are being taken over many days, they should ideally be taken at the same time of day, especially for parameters affected by photosynthesis, such as dissolved oxygen and pH. Record the time (in 24-hour clock format) on the sampling record sheet.

Soils: Choose typical soil for the site. Try to obtain dry or moist, rather than wet soil samples.

CONTAINERS FOR WATER SAMPLES

Place into wide mouthed screw top sample jars of the appropriate materials, or into 'whirl-pak' type bags.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EQUIPMENT REQUIRED FOR TAKING SAMPLES

• new, prepared sample bottles (waters) or wide topped jars or whirl-pak bags (soils), labelled with marker pen
• clean trowel, spade or auger for soil sampling
• sterile disposable gloves for bacterial sample collection
• esky for storing filled sample bottles
• ice or dry ice
• any equipment needed for taking on-site tests (thermometer, conductivity meter, pH meter, etc)
• sampling record sheet
• chain of custody sheet (if required)

TAKING SAMPLES

• Sample bottles shall be labelled indelibly prior to sampling with a unique sample number, the location, date and analyses required.
• Sample directly into the sampling bottle or jar unless a mixed sample is necessary, in which case ensure that the larger mixing container has been prepared in the same manner as the sampling container.
• Use disposable gloves in polluted waters.
• When sampling water in streams or dams, submerge the bottle carefully. The mouth of the bottle should be held at least 10 cm below the surface.
• It is necessary that the person taking the samples use their discretion while collecting, so as not to take a non-representative sample. When sampling waters, flowing or well mixed water is preferable to use for sampling, but this may not always be available, particularly when very still conditions cause stratification in dams or lakes. In this case, attempt to collect three equally sized samples, from the surface, midzone and deeper waters, mix them together and sub-sample the mixture.
• Do not rinse the sampling container in the sample stream when sampling waters. If it has been correctly prepared the sample container should not contain any contaminants.
• When sampling waterbodies avoid dislodging benthic algal mats, scraping against walls or floors of waterbodies, or otherwise disturbing the sediment. Care should be taken so that no larger animals or algae mats are included in the sample, unless that is what you specifically wish to sample.
• In flowing water, always ensure that your hand is downstream of the collecting bottle's mouth and that the mouth of the bottle is facing into the current. Ensure that the sample is taken midstream.
• When collecting bacterial samples use clean hands, disposable gloves and sterile collection procedure - that is, only break the seal just prior to collecting the sample, hold lid and bottle opening facing downwards, do not put the lid down on a surface, ensure hand is held drownstream of the bottle, cap the sample immediately after collecting.
• Record relevant details on the sampling record sheet, and also on the chain-of-custody record for samples being sent away for testing.
• Sample bottles for nutrient analysis should be filled to the top and the last air squeezed out of the sample bottle prior to sealing, to minimise the chance of nitrogen fixation prior to testing. Samples should be chilled immediately, and stored in a freezer before dispatch to the testing laboratory in an ice-filled esky.
• Samples for chlorophyll and bacteria require an air space.
• When sampling soils, try to avoid large rocks and large pieces of organic materials.

DESPATCH OF SAMPLES

• All samples should be packed in an esky with adequate packing to prevent damage to the bottles. Ice should be packed with the samples.
• A copy of the sampling record sheet shall be packed with the sample. If a chain of custody is required, the chain of custody sheet should accompany the samples.

RECORDING

If the samples are sent to an outside laboratory, keep a copy of the chain of custody. It is normal for an outside laboratory to fax a copy of the chain of custody sheet on receipt of samples and to fax a copy of the results within two weeks.

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