ASTM International

Standard Practice for Active Soil Gas Sampling for Direct Push or Manual-Driven Hand-Sampling Equipment
 N D7648

Annotation

This practice details the collection of active soil gas samples using a variety of sample collection techniques with tooling associated with direct push drilling technology (DPT) or manual-driven hand-sampling equipment, for the express purpose of conducting soil gas surveys.

This practice proceeds on the premise that soil gas surveys are primarily used for two (2) purposes, 1) as a preliminary site investigative tool and 2) for the monitoring of ongoing remediation activities.

The practicality of field use demands that soil gas surveys are relatively accurate, as well as being simple, quick, and inexpensive. This guide suggests that the objective of soil gas surveys is linked to three factors:

VOC detection and quantitation, including determination of depth of VOC contamination.

Sample retrieval ease and time.

Cost.

This practice will likely increase the awareness of a fundamental difference between soil gas sampling for the purpose of soil gas surveys versus sub-slab or vapor intrusion investigations or both. Specifically, the purpose of a soil gas survey is to provide quick and inexpensive data to the investigator that will allow the investigator to 1) develop a site investigation plan that is strategic in its efforts, 2) determine success or progress of on-going remedial activities, or 3) select the most suitable subsequent investigation equipment, or combinations thereof. On the other hand, the objective of soil gas sampling for sub-slab and vapor intrusion investigations (1, 2, 3,2 etc.) is not preliminary, but rather the end result of the site investigation or long-term precise monitoring. As such, stringent sampling methods and protocol are necessary for precise samples and data collection.