Acquisition and analysis of groundwater/aquifer samples: Current technology and the trade off between quality assurance and practical considerations
In the migration of a high-organic-carbon-content landfill leachate through the subsurface environment, the mobility of inorganic contaminants can be seriously influenced by oxidation-reduction, complexation, precipitation and adsorption processes. These processes, in turn, depend on the dissolved major (and minor) element composition, dissolved gas content, degree of equilibrium and the nature of the aquifer surfaces exposed to groundwater. Groundwater, aquifer material and municipal landfill leachate samples were collected from various locations within the continental United States. These samples were characterized in terms of elemental composition, pH, Eh, dissolved gases and solid phase characteristics (Specific Surface Area, CEC, extractable amorphous components, identifiable crystalline components, etc.). Batch distribution behavior studies were performed with these samples with 14 potential metals and metaloids of concern to the EPA. Of more interest to the analytical chemist, however, are the manifold sampling, analytical and interpretative problems encountered: (1) What are the major sources of error in terms of the necessary expertise and equipment for sample acquisition. (2) Can samples be collected in an unperturbed manner and what is the best method to collect them. (3) How meaningful are field pH, Eh, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity measurements. How stable are these values. (4) Are current procedures sufficient for modeling attenuation processes.
- Research Organization:
- Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA (USA). Environmental Research Lab.
- OSTI ID:
- 6728878
- Report Number(s):
- PB-90-219650/XAB; EPA-600/J-90/027
- Resource Relation:
- Other Information: Pub. in International Jnl. of Environmental Analytical Chemistry, Vol. 38, No. 3, 231-253(1990)
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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Related Subjects
AQUIFERS
CONTAMINATION
GROUND WATER
METALS
MONITORING
ENVIRONMENTAL TRANSPORT
LEACHING
MUNICIPAL WASTES
PH VALUE
QUALITY ASSURANCE
QUALITY CONTROL
SAMPLE PREPARATION
SANITARY LANDFILLS
SITE SURVEYS
SUBSURFACE ENVIRONMENTS
WASTE DISPOSAL
WATER POLLUTION
CONTROL
DISSOLUTION
ELEMENTS
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
MANAGEMENT
MASS TRANSFER
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POLLUTION
SEPARATION PROCESSES
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTES
WATER
540320* - Environment
Aquatic- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)