ENVIRONMENTAL

SAMPLING TECHNIQUES

Compiled by
Engr. Abaid Ullah
abaid.ullah@uettaxila.edu.pk
 Introduction

• The field work associated with the collection and

transport of samples will account for a substantial
proportion of the total cost of a monitoring programme.
• Sampling expeditions should, therefore, be planned and
carried out in such a way that efforts are not wasted.
 Introduction

 It is good practice to prepare a checklist.

 Personnel who will collect water, biota or sediment samples must be

fully trained in both sampling techniques and field test procedures.

 They should also be aware of the objectives of the monitoring

programme since these will have some influence on the sampling
procedures.

 Obtaining a sample that is fully representative of the whole water body is

difficult and the collection and handling of samples are also frequent
sources of error (often greater errors than those arising during analysis).
 Sample Containers

 Containers for the transportation of samples are best provided by the

laboratory.
 This ensures that large enough samples are obtained for the planned
analyses and that sample bottles have been properly prepared,
including the addition of stabilizing preservatives when necessary.
 Glass containers are commonly used and are appropriate for
samples for many analyses, but plastic containers are preferred for
samples intended for certain chemical analyses or for biota or
sediments. Plastic has the obvious advantage that it is less likely to
break than glass.
 Sampling
Objective

To collect a portion of material accurately representing the

material being sampled.

Type of Samples

• Grab Samples
• Composite Samples
 Sampling
Grab Sample

A sample collected at a particular time and place which

represents only the composition of the source at that time
and place.
• Generally, taken when the source is fairly constant over
a considerable period of time.
Composite Sample

Mixture of grab samples collected at a given location at

different times.
• Generally, taken where the source is varying with time.
 Composite Sample
Types
• Time Composite
• Flow Proportionate
Time Composite Sample
Sample obtained by mixing equal volumes of grab
samples collected at regular time intervals.

Flow Proportionate Sample

Sample obtained by mixing volume of grab samples
proportional to the flow collected at regular time intervals.
 Sample Preservation

• Storage at low temperature (40C) is, perhaps, the best

way to preserve most samples until the next day.

• The chemical preservatives should be used only when

they are shown not to interfere with the analysis being
made.

• When chemical preservatives are used , they should be

added to the sample bottles initially so that all sample
portions are preserved as soon as collected.
 Sample Preservation
Maximum
Parameter Container* Preservative
Holding Time
Biochemical oxygen demand P, G Cool, 4oC 48 hours
Chemical oxygen demand P, G Cool, 4oC, H2SO4 to pH < 2 28 days
Chloride P, G None required 28 days
(pH) P, G None required Analyze immediately
Kjeldahl and organic nitrogen P, G Cool, 4oC, H2SO4 to pH < 2 28 day
Chromium (VI) P, G Cool, 4oC 24 hours
Oil and grease G Cool, 4oC, H2SO4 to pH < 2 28 days
Oxygen, dissolved probe G None required Analyze immediately
Phosphorus, total P, G Cool, 4oC, H2SO4 to pH < 2 28 days
Residue, total P, G Cool, 4oC 7 days
Residue, filterable P, G Cool, 4oC 7 days
Residue, non-filterable (TSS) P, G Cool, 4oC 7 days
Residue, settleable P, G Cool, 4oC 48 hours
Residue, volatile P, G Cool, 4oC 7 days

* P = plastic
G = glass
 Water Samplers

• Several different types of sampler are

available, many of them designed for
specific purposes.

• The three types described here are those

that are most useful for a general water
sampling programme.
Dissolved oxygen sampler
Depth Sampler
Depth Sampler
Automatic Sampler
 Site Selection for WW Sampling

• Where applicable, wastewater samples

should be collected at the location
specified by regulatory or monitoring
agency.
Influent
• Influent wastewaters are preferably
sampled at locations of highly turbulent
flow in order to ensure good mixing.
Effluent
 Effluent samples should be collected at the most
representative site downstream from all entering wastewater
streams prior to discharge into the receiving waters.
Pond and Lagoon Sampling
 Generally, composite effluent wastewater samples should be
collected from ponds and lagoons.
 Even if the ponds or lagoons have long retention times,
composite sampling is necessary because of the tendency of
ponds and lagoons to have flow paths that short circuit which
changes the design detention time.