Use of in situ devices for collection of ground-water VOC samples at hazardous waste sites

Conference · · Ground Water; (United States)

OSTI ID:6066522

Pohlmann, K F; Hess, J W ^[1]; Denne, J E ^[2]; Blegen, R P

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1. Desert Research Inst., Las Vegas, NV (United States). Water Resources Center
2. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Environmental Monitoring Systems Lab., Las Vegas, NV (United States). Aquatic and Subsurface Monitoring Branch

To determine whether ground-water contamination has occurred or remediation efforts have been effective, it is necessary to collect ground-water samples in such a way that the samples are representative of aquifer hydrogeochemical conditions. Unfortunately, there are many factors in the sampling and analysis process that can introduce variability into determinations of results. Examples include well drilling method, well design, the materials used in well construction, well development and purging, sampling device, sample handling and preservation, and analytical technique. Formation of stagnant water within conventional monitoring wells indicates that these wells should be purged prior to sampling, a procedure that may introduce significant bias into the determination of concentrations of sensitive constituents such as volatile organic compounds (VOCs) which are common contaminants at hazardous waste sites. In addition, the purging process may produce waste-water disposal problems and undesirable exposure of sampling personnel to potentially hazardous materials. The use of in situ ground-water sampling devices, which minimize or eliminate the need for well purging, may help alleviate some of the difficulties associated with sampling ground water at hazardous waste sites. These devices generally are not used in conventional monitoring wells but are stand-alone systems installed directly into the subsurface. Because of the nature of their design and installation, these devices collect samples almost directly from the formation.

• OSTI ID: 6066522
• Report Number(s): CONF-9310166--
• Conference Information: Journal Name: Ground Water; (United States) Journal Volume: 31:5
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
540220* -- Environment
Terrestrial-- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport-- (1990-)
CONTAMINATION
ECOLOGICAL CONCENTRATION
EFFICIENCY
EQUIPMENT
GROUND WATER
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MATTER
ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
SAMPLERS
SAMPLING
VOLATILE MATTER
WASTE DISPOSAL
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WATER