Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Sampling and Analysis > Modules 1 - 6 > Flashcards

Modules 1 - 6 Flashcards

1
Q

The environment contains natural cycles that influence the transport and composition of environmental pollutants. What are 3 of these cycles?

A
  1. Air Cycle
  2. Water Cycle
  3. Soil Cycle
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Pollutants in soil migrate by the mechanism of partitioning. What are the 4 compartments within soil where individual pollutants may be found?

A

Air, soil, water, free product

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Which horizon (A, B or C) would you expect to contain the largest amount of organic material?

A

A Horizon

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Many different natural physical and chemical mechanisms influence the migration of environmental pollutants. What are 3 of them?

A
  1. Temperature
  2. Precipitation
  3. Humidity
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Rank the mobility (highest, moderate, lowest) of pollutants based on the following partitioning mechanisms – volatilization, dissolution, sorption.

A
  1. volatilization
  2. dissolution
  3. sorption
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Which phase of a soil would you expect a pollutant to be the most mobile?

A

The top horizon (O or A horizons)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

How can the matrix of a sample interfere with the test results reported for the chemical analysis of an environmental sample?

A

Feedback

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

The environment consists of several sinks/reservoirs which behave as storage areas for environmental pollutants. What are the common names of these sinks?

A

Air, water, soil

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

Explain how bioaccumulation contributes to pollutant migration.

A

Pollutants accumulate with organisms, and move through the food chain from species to species to a point in which it becomes detrimental to the organism.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does the term false positive mean?

A

A high/higher concentration of analyte than actually present in the sample is reported

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are the 2 types of interferences encountered from environmental sampling? (additive/subtractive)

A

Additive - Caused by sample constituents that generate a signal that adds to the analyte signal. ie: Sodium can increase calcium readings

Subtractive - When an interference reacts with chemical reagents that adds to the analyte signal. ie: magnesium can mask Calcium

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What zone and depth of an aquifer would you choose to collect samples to determine the maximum concentration of DNAPLs present?

A

just above the impermeable zone of the bottom of the aquifer.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What is the difference between the following types of groundwater pollutants – DNAPL, LNAPL and provide a specific example of each.

A

DNAPL - Dense non-aqueous phase liquids - Coal Tars, PCBs, creosote.

LNAPL - Light non-aqueous phase liquids - gasoline, diesel fuels.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

The sample matrix associated with the LITHOSPHERE is _____________________________.

A

Soils

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

The part of the environment from which soil samples are collected is called the ____________.

A

The Lithosphere

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Explain how bioaccumulation contributes to the transport of pollutants within the environment?

A

The pollutants increase as they move through the food chain and fall out of the food chain through death of the organism and into another.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What requirement is necessary before a substance can be identified and referred to as a toxin?

A

In a great enough amount within the environment to have a negative impact.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What mechanisms or processes can affect the migration of a pollutant within a soil?

A

Volatilization, Dissolution, Sorbtion.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What property of chlorinated organics causes these chemicals to increase in concentration within the tissues of biological organisms through the process of biomagnification?

A

Chlorinated organics are lipophylic compounds.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

Why do some samples require collection in amber colored glass containers?

A

Some analytes are photosensitive and storing them in amber containers eases this issue.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
21
Q

What are 2 processes that are minimized by storing samples in a cooler at a temperature equal to or below 4ºC?

A
  1. Biodegration

2. Volatilization

22
Q

What are the 3 most common techniques used to preserve the composition of samples after collection?

A

temperature control
chemical addition
using the correct sample container

23
Q

What are 2 precautions or preservation techniques that should be followed for the collection of aqueous samples that contain dissolved gases? (avoid agitation, minimize headspace, keep cool)

A
  1. avoid agitation
  2. minimize headspace
  3. keep cool
24
Q

Explain why samples for the analysis of organic chemicals should be collected in glass containers.

A

Plastic containers contain organic compounds that can leach into the sample, contaminating it

25
Q

Why should samples for the analysis of metals NOT be collected in glass containers?

A

Analytes can adsorb onto walls of containers.

26
Q

What are 2 sample measurements that should be made in the field rather than back at the laboratory? Explain why.

A

Dissolved Oxygen, pH. Both of these parameters change with temperature change.

27
Q

What type of chemical reaction is prevented by adding HNO3(aq) to a water sample so that the final solution pH is below 2?

A

Adsorption

28
Q

What are the most common preservation techniques used to prevent the biodegradation of a sample? (extreme pH adjustment/acidification, temperature control, chemical addition).

A
  1. extreme pH adjustment/acidification
  2. temperature control,
  3. chemical addition
29
Q

Provide 3 different examples of preservation techniques used to maintain the integrity of a sample that is collected in the field.

A
  1. Use appropriate container
  2. Minimize headspace
  3. Keep cool if necessary
  4. Add chemical preservatives if necessary
  5. Minimize holding time
30
Q

What does the holding time of a sample refer to?

A

The length of time a sample can be stored after collection and preservation (prior to preparation and analysis) without significantly altering the analytical results.

31
Q

Which sampling method has the least amount of bias: systematic, random or judgmental?

A

Random

32
Q

Selection of appropriate sampling points requires consideration of ———————- variables. Why must these 2 variables be considered? Why do they influence the choice of location for the assignment of sampling points?

A

a. spatial and temporal
b. dependent and independent
c. determinant and indeterminant
d. selective and temporary

33
Q

Select 3 factors that can drastically influence the cost of sampling project.

A

a. site location and access
b. quantity, type and complexity of samples to be collected
c. sampling frequency
d. attitude and attributes of the sampler

34
Q

What term describes the following: a tool used to determine the number of samples required for a program to be considered statistically random. It correlates the proximity of any two samples, and illustrates how increasing the distance between samples increases randomness (decreases correlation) between them. The distance between them can be based on the physical space between samples (spatial correlation) or the time taken between samples (temporal).

A

a. Semi-Viogram

35
Q

What is the type of sampling approach that uses a grid type system, (square, rectangular or triangular in shape) to subdivide the region to collect samples from?

A

Systematic

36
Q

Key factors to consider when determining a sampling strategy are:

A

Type of pollutant
sampling device
end use of data

37
Q

What are the seven steps of the DQO Process?

A
  1. State the problem
  2. Identify the decisions required
  3. Identify inputs to the decisions
  4. Determine the boundaries of the study
  5. Develop a decision rule
  6. Develop uncertainty constraints
  7. Optimize the design for obtaining data
38
Q

What are three types of sampling programs?

A
  1. intuitive
  2. statistical
  3. protocol
39
Q

True or False: Grab samples are useful in looking at a specific time and location (spatial, temporal), particularly if looking for analytes at a maximum concentration.

A

True

40
Q

A sampling plan is really a detailed standard operating procedure that clearly identifies the instructions that must be followed for the activities that occur before, during and after sample collection. What are 3 areas that should be included in the SOP of a sampling plan?

A

preservation
labelling
Sample Collection

41
Q

Two types of “Control sites” are commonly identified at the sampling site as areas to collect samples from. What are the two types? Explain.

A
  1. area control site - This site is in the same area as the sampling site, but not adjacent to it.
  2. local control site - adjacent to the sampling site. It is preferable because it is physically closer to the sampling site, and therefore has a better chance of being identical except for the analyte.
42
Q

Which sample type would be more representative of a heterogeneous sample?

A

composite

43
Q

What are three examples of field measurements?

A

Dissolved Oxygen
pH
Conductivity

44
Q

What quality control sample is used to measure the precision of a sampling technique?

A

Duplicate sample

45
Q

What type of quality control sample is used to detect an error caused by the presence of contamination from improperly cleaned sampling equipment?

A

Field blank

46
Q

There are 3 sources of error in the sampling and analysis process. What are they?

A

Design Phase
Implementation
Laboratory Analysis

47
Q

The statements below discuss the purpose of collecting a local control site sample and explains how one should be collected if the sample matrix is surface water. Select the statement that is incorrect

A

a. They are used to determine if the analyte of interest actually exists as a contaminant or if it is actually normal for the matrix at the site.
b. Samples from a control site must be collected from a location that is upwind of the suspect site.
c. In that respect, it must also be down gradient of the suspect site with respect to groundwater and surface water flow direction.
Answser: C

48
Q
  1. How do a trip blank and a field blank differ from one another? A ______ blank is prepared in the field, whereas a ______ blank are transported from the lab to the field
A

a. Field blank

b. Trip blank

49
Q

Which of the following should be used for detecting contamination from sampling equipment?

A

Rinsate Blank

50
Q

A local control site sample for a river needs to be collected. Where should this sample be collected from?

A

a. upstream from the polluted location
b. downstream from the polluted location
c. immediately at the polluted location
d. at a different river, one that is in close proximity
Answer: A

51
Q

What are the different types of sampling plans?

A

Exploratory/Surveillance

Monitoring/Assessment

Sampling and Analysis (2 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions