ABSTRACT
Analytical procedures have been developed which provide the best results for all of the major analyses commonly required by environmental professionals. The investigation of soils at a site may require any of a wide variety of testing procedures, depending on the overall objectives of the project. This chapter discusses testing procedures, equipment, and quality control (QC). Quality assurance (QA) is essentially an audit function to ensure that the QC work has been satisfactorily completed. Most companies and government agencies involved in environmental soils work have prepared or adapted a detailed QA/QC program to ensure that their scientific work meets acceptable standards. General types of projects include basic soil characterization, health risk evaluation, remediation-restoration, agricultural field testing and research. Any discussion of chemical analysis of soils or soil components must be divided into categories for understanding. When the decision is made to submit a soil sample for chemical procedures, the first basic decision must be what general property is being sought.
