ABSTRACT
This chapter is concerned with the microbiologist who may need assistance in planning a subsurface field sampling program. It describes various aspects to be considered when selecting appropriate drilling and sampling technologies, and discusses sample processing and Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) techniques that, when employed, help ensure sample integrity. If samples are to be collected from shallow, semiconsolidated to consolidated sediments, then a relatively simple and costeffective drilling technology can usually be used. Once a drilling and sampling technology has been selected, various QA/QC procedures should be identified that can be employed during field sampling. Sonic sampling has had only limited application in microbiological research to date, but may prove to be a highly effective, although somewhat costly, method for collecting subsurface microbiological samples. The use of microbiological and chemical tracers provides information on the extent and type of contamination that may have been introduced during sample collection and processing.
