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Environmental Sampling Protocols

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has strict sampling protocols in place for all government or EPA employees. Sampling protocol is in place to reduce the risk of sample contamination or misinformation and maximize the knowledge that can be obtained from each sample. Different environmental substances such as soil, water and tissue are collected with different stipulations.

  1. Soil

    • Soil samples, according to the EPA, must be collected with a T-shaped auger. An auger is a tool with a helical shaft that is used for boring holes. The auger is fitted with a sample tube so the soil is not exposed to the air for very long. Surface samples should be about 2 inches in depth. The sample tube should be made of Teflon or another nonreactive substance to preserve the sample. Plastic gloves are always worn and changed at each location. Each sample site should be recorded before taking the actual sample. Push the auger into the soil in one solid motion; do not twist it. Once you've reached about 2 inches, slowly remove the auger and record the length of the sample. Then carefully take the soil from the auger and put it into the sample tube.

    Water

    • One of the main problems with sampling of water is contamination of the equipment prior to collection. All equipment must be sanitized prior to conducting the collection of water samples. The EPA will conduct a site survey of the sampling location and use GPS coordinates to determine and record the location of each sample. To get a proper idea of the hydrology, samples should be collected at intervals of 1 m from the top of the pond or lake. Special equipment, such as Hydrolab, is employed for collected samples at various depths.

    Fish

    • Fish samples are taken with a tissue plug because it eliminates the need to kill the fish sampled. A biopsy punch is inserted into a meaty portion of the fish and then is removed. The wound on the fish is treated with an antibiotic salve and the animal is released. Fish samples that are collected for heavy metal testing such as mercury are stored in glass jars or wrapped in tin foil and then double bagged. Tissues that are to be analyzed for contaminants are frozen. Tissue samples must be taken to the lab as soon as possible to avoid degradation. A form including sample name, date, number of packages and analysis required should be kept with the sample cooler and given to the lab along with the samples.

    Plants

    • Gloves are to be worn at all times during a plant sample collection. Gloves should be changed between the collection of each sample. Use a site diagram and mark every location of every plant sampled. Leafy plants must have a sample of 200 g or more to be testable. Root samples should be washed and dipped repeatedly in a bucket of deionized water. To clean roots, scrub them lightly with a brush if necessary. Vegetable samples are taken of the eatable portion of the vegetable, for example corn must be husked and only the ears or kernels are collected. Vegetables should be washed in deionized water before being stored in a container.

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