Fundamentals of Environmental Sampling and Analysis

"This book gives an excellent contribution to the understanding of the fundamentals of environmental sampling and analysis including. The book is a unique reference for a large audience from students to environmental scientists at different stage of their work. The book is a valuable guide and reference tool and should appeal to a wide ranging audience including students, academics and environmental professionals" (Environment International, 2008) "As a particular feature, it includes questions and exercise problems in each chapter to help to understand these concepts." (International Journal of Environmental and Analytical Chemistry, December 2007) "The author writes in the first person plural which gives the book a rather chatty style that works reasonably well. References to real-life case studies also helps put the material in context and some chapters have a 'practical tips' section which is a useful feature" (Chemistry World, September 2007) "An excellent book that I am sure will be adopted by many faculty members." (Journal of Hazardous Materials, August 17, 2007)

Chunlong (Carl) Zhang, PhD, is an Associate Professor of Environmental Science and Environmental Chemistry at the University of Houston-Clear Lake. He has over two decades of experience in academia, industry, and consulting. Dr. Zhang has firsthand, practical knowledge of environmental sampling and analysis from work in the field and in the lab. He is the author or coauthor of numerous articles and reports on contaminant fate/transport, environmental remediation, and environmental assessment.

Preface xvii 1. Introduction to Environmental Data Acquisition 1 1.1 Introduction 1 1.1.1 Importance of Scientifically Reliable and Legally Defensible Data 2 1.1.2 Sampling Error vs. Analytical Error During Data Acquisition 4 1.2 Environmental Sampling 5 1.2.1 Scope of Environmental Sampling 5 1.2.2 Where, When, What, How, and How Many 6 1.3 Environmental Analysis 6 1.3.1 Uniqueness of Modern Environmental Analysis 7 1.3.2 Classical and Modern Analytical and Monitoring Techniques 7 References 9 Questions and Problems 10 2. Basics of Environmental Sampling and Analysis 11 2.1 Essential Analytical and Organic Chemistry 11 2.1.1 Concentration Units 11 2.1.2 Common Organic Pollutants and Their Properties 14 2.1.3 Analytical Precision, Accuracy, and Recovery 16 2.1.4 Detection Limit and Quantitation Limit 17 2.1.5 Standard Calibration Curve 18 2.2 Essential Environmental Statistics 20 2.2.1 Measurements of Central Tendency and Dispersion 20 2.2.2 Understanding Probability Distributions 21 2.2.3 Type I and II Errors: False Positive and False Negative 25 2.2.4 Detection of Outliers 26 2.2.5 Analysis of Censored Data 28 2.2.6 Analysis of Spatial and Time Series Data 29 2.3 Essential Hydrology and Geology 30 2.3.1 Stream Water Flow and Measurement 30 2.3.2 Groundwater Flow in Aquifers 31 2.3.3 Groundwater Wells 32 2.4 Essential Knowledge of Environmental Regulations 35 2.4.1 Major Regulations Administrated by the U.S. EPA 35 2.4.2 Other Important Environmental Regulations 35 References 37 Questions and Problems 39 3. Environmental Sampling Design 45 3.1 Planning and Sampling Protocols 45 3.1.1 Data Quality Objectives 46 3.1.2 Basic Considerations of Sampling Plan 48 3.2 Sampling Environmental Population 49 3.2.1 Where (Space) and When (Time) to Sample 49 3.2.2 Obtain Representative Samples from Various Matrices 49 3.3 Environmental Sampling Approaches: Where and When 52 3.3.1 Judgmental Sampling 52 3.3.2 Simple Random Sampling 53 3.3.3 Stratified Random Sampling 54 3.3.4 Systematic Sampling 56 3.3.5 Other Sampling Designs 57 3.4 Estimating Sample Numbers: How Many Samples are Required 61 References 63 Questions and Problems 63 4. Environmental Sampling Techniques 69 4.1 General Guidelines of Environmental Sampling Techniques 69 4.1.1 Sequence of Sampling Matrices and Analytes 70 4.1.2 Sample Amount 70 4.1.3 Sample Preservation and Storage 71 4.1.4 Selection of Sample Containers 74 4.1.5 Selection of Sampling Equipment 76 4.2 Techniques for Sampling Various Media: Practical Approaches and Tips 83 4.2.1 Surface Water and Wastewater Sampling 84 4.2.2 Groundwater Sampling 86 4.2.3 Soil and Sediment Sampling 89 4.2.4 Hazardous Waste Sampling 90 4.2.5 Biological Sampling 92 4.2.6 Air and Stack Emission Sampling 92 References 93 Questions and Problems 94 5. Methodology and Quality Assurance/Quality Control of Environmental Analysis 97 5.1 Overview on Standard Methodologies 98 5.1.1 The U.S. EPA Methods for Air, Water, Wastewater, and Hazardous Waste 98 5.1.2 Other Applicable Methods: APHA/ASTM/OSHA/NIOSH/USGS/AOAC 103 5.2 Selection of Standard Methods 108 5.2.1 Methods for Sample Preparation 109 5.2.2 Methods for Physical, Biological, and General Chemical Parameters 111 5.2.3 Methods for Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) 112 5.2.4 Methods for Semivolatile Organic Compounds (SVOCs) 113 5.2.5 Methods for Other Pollutants and Compounds of Emerging Environmental Concerns 113 5.3 Field Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) 115 5.3.1 Types of Field QA/QC Samples 116 5.3.2 Numbers of Field QA/QC Samples 118 5.4 Analytical Quality Assurance/Quality Control 118 5.4.1 Quality Control Procedures for Sample Preparation 118 5.4.2 Quality Control Procedures During Analysis 119 References 122 Questions and Problems 123 6. Common Operations and Wet Chemical Methods in Environmental Lab