Module 4

Question 1

4 general categories of sampling programs are?

Answer 1

1. Intuitive - based on judgement by experts (educated guess)
2. statistical - independent of judgement (requires more samples then is economically feasible
3. Hybrid plan - mix of intuitive and statistical
4. Protocol samples - follow legally mandated plans; guidelines dictated by government

Question 2

Are sampling plans the same as sampling programs

Answer 2

No, sampling plans are a component of sampling program

Question 3

Contents of a sampling plan

Answer 3

1. project and scope
2. Type of plan
3. Site ID and map
4. Sample source
5. Number of samples
6. Frequency of sampling
7. sampling approach
8. Collection method
9. analytical parameters and laboratory methods
10. Field measurements
11. Field QC
12. Sampler
13. Post sampling activities
14. Documentation

Question 4

Explain part 1. Project scope and objective of a sampling plan

Answer 4

Sets tone for rest of plan. Clearly defined and unambiguous. Attempts to answer “what is the main question you need an answer to”

Question 5

Explain part 2 type of plan of your sampling plan

Answer 5

• surveillance/exploratory

- monitoring/assessment

Question 6

Explain

Surveillance/exploratory plans

Answer 6

Involves the initial evaluation through research and direct visual observation of the site. Initial samples maybe be collected, analyzed and the results used to decide on the study boundary, analytes and sampling equipment required

Question 7

Explain monitoring/assessment sampling plans

Answer 7

• a plan that is used to determine the concentration of an analyte over time with an area
• data from this type of sampling plan is used to regulate discharge levels of industrial operation and enforce

Question 8

These are examples of what?

• reconnaissance survey
• point source characterization
• intensive study
• fixed station monitoring
• network monitoring
• ground water monitoring
• special surveys

Answer 8

Sample plans

Question 9

Explain part 3 side id and map of a samples plan

Answer 9

Should be a sketch or overhead view of the location. Including: lat, long, sampling points, surrounding activities. If stratification is present, zones should be used to define Descartes samples based on stratification

Question 10

Explain part 4 sample source of a sample plan

Answer 10

When describing (delineating) the sample source, analyst should be specific. Detailed Descriptions outlining surface or ground water and homogenous/heterogeneous/single phase/ multiphase samples

Question 11

Explain part 5 number and type of samples part of a sampling plan

Answer 11

samples = test + control + qc + exploratory + supplementary

Should be enough samples to be representative, more then the minimum and enough for more then one analysis

Question 12

Explain part 6 frequency of sampling in a sample plan

Answer 12

Determined by objective, specified by permit

Question 13

Explain part 7 sampling approach in a sampling plan

Answer 13

Guidelines will typically dictate the method to be used. Should be either random, judgemental or systemic

Question 14

Explain part 8 collection method of a sampling plan

Answer 14

Manual or automatic sampling

Question 15

Explain part 9 analytical parameters and lab methods

Answer 15

Primary or secondary analytes

Question 16

Explain part 10 field measurements of a sampling plan

Answer 16

Done on any that changes when removed from location (pH, conductivity and DO)

Question 17

Explain part 11 field QC in a sampling plan

Answer 17

Identify all QC samples and where is was performed including: field blanks, equipment blanks, control samples, split samples, duplicates, rinsate blanks and trip blanks

Question 18

Explain part 12 sampler of a sampling plan

Answer 18

Who is doing the sampling and their training

Question 19

Explain part 13 post sampling activities in a sampling plan

Answer 19

Outline: procedures for transport, waste disposal and preservation of samples protocols

Question 20

What is a coc form?

Answer 20

Chain of custody form.

Question 21

Explain part 14 documentation of a sampling plan

Answer 21

Field book including weather and hydrological observations

Question 22

When do you sample from control site and where

Answer 22

Before sampling target site. Upwind/upstream. Identical to target but without analyte

Question 23

Explain grab samples

Answer 23

Useful for: looking at specific time and location, analytes at max concentration. Assumes no changes in temp, wind, animal habitats, precipitation and pressure (represent samples at very small time frame)

Question 24

Explain composite samples

Answer 24

Variance cannot be observed . Useful if pollutants that layer out over time .
-Low cost, less info (compared to grab)

Question 25

Explain duplicate samples

Answer 25

To individual samples are collected

Question 26

Explain split samples

Answer 26

Sample collected and then split in two (usually to go to different labs)