Sampling

Accepted EPA  sampling, characterization, and monitoring methods need to be employed for sampling of soils and surface and ground waters to provide accurate, consistent, and site-representative samples for contaminants, nutrients, and microorganisms present.  Various sampling, characterization, and monitoring methods are available or can be configured to meet specific site requirements.  Sampling programs can be developed for bioprocess configuration and monitoring, bioremediation progress, intrinsic remediation, and natural attenuation processes.  

Sampling Surface Waters

EPA approved methods for collection and analysis of all samples for determination of microorganisms, metals, and other key site contaminants is a key component for bioremediation. Experience in microbial sample collection and sample preservation helps ensure survivability of naturally-occurring microorganisms for further evaluation.  Accurate sample evaluation characterization and identification of the naturally-occurring site microbes is a key factor in design and configuration of site specific bioprocesses and bioremediation schemes. Sample analysis is important in determination of proper augmentation microbes, nutrients, and environmental parameters required for effective bioremediation.  

 

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Sampling Groundwaters Using Low-Flow Pumps
Field proven pneumatic bladder pumps with high performance PTFE bladders are important for reliable one-time sample collection or long-term monitoring to deliver accuracy and cost control for your sampling programs. Ground water sampling technology has reached a new level.  Older sampling concepts dealing with bailing, well purging, and high-rate pumping are being replaced. Conventional sample collection procedures purge a fixed amount, usually 3 to 5 well volumes, before sample collection. This was thought necessary because bailers or portable equipment mix stagnant water from the upper, unscreened well portion into the sampling zone. Conventional sampling procedures also agitate the well and surrounding aquifer, greatly increasing sample turbidity. High-rate pumping for sample collection has the same effects.

In a properly constructed well, natural ground water flow constantly recharges the screened zone.  A low-flow sampling device can collect representative samples without disturbing the rest of the well or the surrounding formation; this is especially true for dedicated systems.

This new low-flow sample collection approach, low-flow rate (minimal drawdown) sampling, provides numerous benefits that make it the method of choice for existing and new ground water monitoring projects. Pneumatic bladder pumps are EPA-accepted for low-flow sampling and have been shown to deliver superior sample accuracy and precision in dozens of independent studies. Bladder pumps operate with a unique, gentle action without creating any disturbance that could affect sample chemistry. The bladder prevents contact between the pump drive air and the sample, and the down-well equipment can be permanently dedicated to each well, so both samples and the well are protected from disturbance or the danger of cross-well contamination. Bladder pumps run easily at low rates for extended times, without the sample collection problems of other devices.  Benefits of sample collection using low-flow pumps include:
  • No overheating of high-speed electric pump motors, which can alter samples
  • No churning action, like that of bailers or inertial-lift samplers that increase turbidity
  • No suction to cause degassing of dissolved volatile contaminants
  • Eliminate the need for excessive purging
  • Improve sample quality by providing accurate samples that yield consistent, reliable monitoring data
  • Greatly reduce purge volume and associated expenses (containment, handling, destruction) yielding superior cost control for single samples or over the life of the monitoring program
  • Reliably provide representative microbial samples for characterization
 

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