Use of passive sampling devices to determine soil contaminant concentrations
- Clemson Univ., Pendleton, SC (United States)
- Washington State Univ., Richland, WA (United States)
The effective remediation of contaminated sites requires accurate identification of chemical distributions. A rapid sampling method using passive sampling devices (PSDs) can provide a thorough site assessment. We have been pursuing their application in terrestrial systems and have found that they increase the ease and speed of analysis, decrease solvent usage and overall cost, and minimize the transport of contaminated soils. Time and cost savings allow a higher sampling frequency than is generally the case using traditional methods. PSDs have been used in the field in soils of varying physical properties and have been successful in estimating soil concentrations ranging from 1 {mu}g/kg (parts per billion) to greater than 200 mg/kg (parts per million). They were also helpful in identifying hot spots within the sites. Passive sampling devices show extreme promise as an analytical tool to rapidly characterize contaminant distributions in soil. There are substantial time and cost savings in laboratory personnel and supplies. By selectively excluding common interferences that require sample cleanup, PSDs can be retrieved from the field and processed rapidly (one technician can process approximately 90 PSDs in an 8-h work day). The results of our studies indicate that PSDs can be used to accurately estimate soil contaminant concentrations and provide lower detection limits. Further, time and cost savings will allow a more thorough and detailed characterization of contaminant distributions. 13 refs., 4 figs., 2 tabs.
- Research Organization:
- Argonne National Lab. (ANL), Argonne, IL (United States)
- OSTI ID:
- 567742
- Report Number(s):
- CONF-9611157-; ON: DE97009015; TRN: 98:000722-0038
- Resource Relation:
- Conference: 1996 Pacific Basin conference on hazardous waste, Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), 4-8 Nov 1996; Other Information: PBD: [1996]; Related Information: Is Part Of Pacific Basin conference on hazardous waste: Proceedings; PB: 706 p.
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
Similar Records
TECHNICAL EVALUATION OF SOIL REMEDIATION ALTERNATIVES AT THE BUILDING 812 OPERABLE UNIT, LAWRENCE LIVERMORE NATIONAL LABORATORY SITE 300
Advanced Assay Systems for Radionuclide Contamination in Soils