ABSTRACT
CONTENTS Objectives of the SAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 Preparation of the SAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Selection of Field Protocols to Be Incorporated into the SAP . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Well Headspace Screening . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Water-Level and Product-Thickness Measurement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Field Quality Assurance and Quality Control . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Purposes of Field Quality Control Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 Purging and Sampling Device Selection and Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Sampling Point Purging Methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Field Measurement of Water-Quality Indicator Parameters and Turbidity . . . . . . 45 Sample Pretreatment Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45
Filtration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Physical and Chemical Preservation of Ground-Water Samples . . . . . . . . . . . . 46
Field Equipment Cleaning Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Documenting a Sampling Event . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47
Written Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 Electronic Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Audio-Visual Records . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53
As discussed in Chapter 1, there is a great deal of complex science behind ground-water sampling. Much of this science drives the selection of sampling methods and equipment for each site. To ensure that sampling teams are aware of requirements for sample collection, a site-specific SAP must be written by an experienced practitioner and followed by the sampling team. The objectives of a typical SAP are summarized in Table 2.1. Implementation of a comprehensive and well thought out SAP should ensure that ground-water sample collection procedures are consistent from one sampling event to the next, thus reducing the potential for sampling team related error and bias. This, in turn, should ensure that the data generated, both in the field and as a result of laboratory analysis of samples, are comparable and without peaks and valleys referred to as ‘‘data bounce.’’
