1. Scope

1.1 This guide addresses procedures that may be used for obtaining soil samples from the vadose zone (unsaturated zone). Samples can be collected for a variety of reasons including the following:

1.1.1 Stratigraphic description,

1.1.2 Hydraulic conductivity testing,

1.1.3 Moisture content measurement,

1.1.4 Moisture release curve construction,

1.1.5 Geotechnical testing,

1.1.6 Soil gas analyses,

1.1.7 Microorganism extraction, or

1.1.8 Pore liquid and soils chemical analyses.

1.2 This guide focuses on methods that provide soil samples for chemical analyses of the soil or contained liquids or contaminants. However, comments on how methods may be modified for other objectives are included.

1.3 This guide does not describe sampling methods for lithified deposits and rocks (for example, sandstone, shale, tuff, granite).

1.4 In general, it is prudent to perform all field work with at least two people present. This increases safety and facilitates efficient data collection.

1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded as the standard. The SI units given in parentheses are for information only.

1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety problems, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids

D1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling by Auger Borings

D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils

D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for Geotechnical Purposes

D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils (Visual-Manual Procedure)

D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel, Drive Sampling of Soils

D4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil Samples

Keywords

Auger sampler; Barrel auger sampler; Contamination-soil; Drill rig samplers; Geotechnical mapping; Hand held power auger sampler; Hydraulic conductivity; Moisture analysis-soil/related materials; Piston samplers; Pore-liquid sampling; Sampling-soil/rock/related materials; Screw-type auger sampler; Soil gas analysis; Soil pore-liquid sampling; Split-barrel drive samplers; Stratigraphic description; Trench sampler; Tube-type sampler; Vadose zone; Veihmeyer tube sampler; vadose zone-soil sampling, guide;

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 07.060 (Geology. Meteorology. Hydrology)

DOI: 10.1520/D4700-91R98E01

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