ASTM D6640-21 PDF
Standard Practice for Collection and Handling of Soils Obtained in Core Barrel Samplers for Environmental Investigations
Standard Practice for Collection and Handling of Soils Obtained in Core Barrel Samplers for Environmental Investigations
- Статус документа:
- Действующий
- Формат:
- Электронный (PDF)
- Количество страниц:
- 9
- Дата публикации:
- 1 октября 2021 г.
- Издание:
- D6640
- ICS:
- 13.080.01
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE 5.1 Often during environmental investigations, soils are analyzed after being collected from the surface, the vadose zone (Terminology D653), and sometimes from below the groundwater table to identify and quantify the presence of a chemical contaminant. A contaminant is a substance that is typically hazardous and either is not normally present or that occurs naturally but is of an uncharacteristically high concentration (Guide D4687). A three-dimensional spatial array of samples can often provide information as to the source and route(s) of migration of the contaminant. The resultant information is used to direct remedial and corrective actions or can be used for monitoring purposes. Obtaining a soil sample with a core barrel sampler involves driving this device into the ground and then retrieving it for sample processing. Several methods for advancing a core barrel are generally acceptable (for example, Test Method D1586; Practices D1587, D3550, and D6151; Guides D5784, D5875, D5876, D6169, and D6282). Drilling methods that use drilling fluids (liquids or air) should be avoided because they are more susceptible to cross-contamination (Guide D6286) (see 6.1.6). 5.2 If samples are to be collected for the determination of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), all sampling equipment should be made of fluorine-free materials. Other considerations for PFAS sampling may exist but are beyond the scope of this standard. SCOPE 1.1 This practice covers procedures for obtaining soils from core barrel samplers for chemical and physical analysis, with an emphasis on the collection and handling procedures that maintain the representativeness of the chemical contaminants of concern. Core barrel samplers are initially empty (hollow) until they are pushed into the ground to collect and retrieve a cylindrical soil sample with minimal disturbance. The selection of equipment and the sample handling procedures are dependent on the soil properties, the depth of sampling, and the general properties of the chemical contaminants of concern, that is, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, and inorganic constituents. The sampling procedures described are designed to maintain representative concentrations of the contaminants regardless of their physical state(s), that is, solid, liquid, or gas. 1.2 This practice covers soil samplers used in Guide D6169 on soils and rock sampling and included in Guide D6232 for waste sampling. Guide D6169 provides additional information on samplers and procedures that will preserve representative contaminate concentrations. Guide D6282 is on direct-push soil samplers that are most frequently used for environmental work. Guide D4547 addresses special sampling of soils for volatile compounds. This standard does not include sediment samplers in Guide D4823, but the same principles may apply to handling of those cores. Guide D4700 includes information on shallow manual push soil samplers. 1.3 Five general types of core barrel samplers are discussed in this practice: split-barrel, soil corer, ring-lined barrel, thin-walled tube, and solid-barrel samplers. 1.4 This document does not cover all the core barrel devices that are available for the collection of soil samples. 1.5 The procedures described may or may not be applicable to handling of samples for assessing certain geotechnical properties, for example, soil porosity. Note 1: Prior to commencement of any intrusive exploration, the site should be checked for underground utilities. 1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard. 1.7 This standard does not purpo...
Abstract
Overview
ASTM D6640-21 is the internationally recognized standard practice for the collection and handling of soils obtained in core barrel samplers for environmental investigations. Published by ASTM International, this standard details procedures to collect undisturbed soil samples from the subsurface using core barrel samplers, ensuring the representativeness of chemical contaminants such as volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, and inorganic constituents. Adherence to these methods is critical for reliable environmental site characterization, pollution assessment, and compliance with environmental regulations.
Key Topics
-
Representativeness and Contaminant Integrity: Guidance is provided to maintain accurate contaminant concentrations when collecting, handling, and preserving soil samples. The practice stresses minimizing physical and chemical changes to volatile and semi-volatile organic compounds.
-
Types of Core Barrel Samplers:
- Split-barrel samplers
- Ring-lined barrel samplers
- Thin-walled tube samplers
- Solid-barrel samplers (including sealed and unsealed types)
- Manual push variants for surface and shallow sampling
-
Equipment Selection Criteria:
- Compatibility of sample-contacting materials (e.g., stainless steel, plastic) with target contaminants
- Suitability for soil types, moisture content, and sampling depth
- Sample volume requirements based on analytical needs
- Minimization of cross-contamination, especially in multi-depth sampling
-
Handling Procedures:
- Strategies for immediate and proper subsampling to limit contaminant loss, particularly for volatile organics
- Pre-sampling and post-sampling cleaning and decontamination of equipment, as per Practice D5088
- Recommendations for safe sample transfer, storage, and preservation
-
PFAS Considerations: When sampling for per- and polyfluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), only fluorine-free materials must contact the soil samples to prevent false positives.
Applications
ASTM D6640-21 is essential for:
-
Environmental Site Assessments: Accurate collection and analysis of soil samples to identify contamination and define the extent of pollution migration, informing remedial action and ongoing monitoring.
-
Regulatory Compliance: Meeting requirements for environmental investigations under national and local regulations, particularly for hazardous waste sites and contaminated land.
-
Groundwater and Vadose Zone Studies: Enabling three-dimensional sampling arrays that provide crucial data on contaminant sources, pathways, and behavior below the surface.
-
PFAS and Emerging Contaminant Sampling: Implementing best practices to prevent cross-contamination during sampling for challenging analytes.
-
Waste Management and Geotechnical Engineering: Supplementary use in waste characterization and, where appropriate, in limited geotechnical parameter assessment.
Practitioners working in environmental consulting, laboratory analysis, remediation planning, and regulatory enforcement rely on these standardized practices to ensure high-quality, legally defensible data.
Related Standards
ASTM D6640-21 references several related ASTM standards and guides that support best practices for soil sampling and environmental data quality, including:
- ASTM D1586: Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling
- ASTM D1587: Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Fine-Grained Soils
- ASTM D3550: Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel Sampling
- ASTM D4547: Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile Organic Compounds
- ASTM D5088: Decontamination of Field Equipment
- ASTM D6169: Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling Devices
- ASTM D6232: Selection of Sampling Equipment for Waste and Contaminated Media Data Collection
- ASTM D6282: Direct Push Soil Sampling for Environmental Site Characterizations
- ASTM D6026: Significant Digits and Data Records in Geotechnical Data
Utilizing these interconnected standards ensures completeness, consistency, and data integrity in environmental soil sampling and analysis projects.
Keywords: ASTM D6640, soil core sampling, environmental investigations, core barrel sampler, soil contaminants, PFAS sampling, cross-contamination prevention, soil sample handling, volatile organic compounds, environmental site assessment.
Технические детали
- Технический комитет
- D34 - Waste Management
- SKU
- ASTM D6640-21
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