ASTM D8170-20

5.1 This guide is for the use of disposable handheld soil core samplers in collecting and storing approximately 5 or 25 g soil samples for volatile organic analysis in a manner that reduces loss of contaminants due to volatilization or biodegradation. In general, an initial soil core sample is collected (see Guides D6169/D6169M and D6282/D6282M) and the disposable handheld soil core sampler is then used to collect the 5 or 25 g soil sample from the initial soil core sample. The disposable handheld soil core sampler can also serve as a sample storage chamber.

5.2 The physical integrity of the soil sample is maintained during sample collection, storage, and transfer in the laboratory for analysis or preservation.

5.3 During sample collection, storage, and transfer, there is very limited exposure of the sample to the atmosphere.

5.4 Laboratory subsampling is not required for samples collected following this guide. The sample is expelled directly from the coring body/storage chamber into the appropriate container for analysis, or preservation, at the analytical laboratory without disrupting the integrity of the sample. Subsampling from the disposable handheld soil core sampler should not be performed to obtain smaller sample sizes for analysis.

5.5 This guide specifies sample storage in the disposable handheld soil core sampler at 4 ± 2°C for up to 48 h.

5.6 This guide does not use methanol preservation or other chemical preservatives in the field. As a result, there are no problems associated with flammability hazards, shipping restrictions, or dilution of samples containing low volatile concentrations due to solvents being added to samples in the field.

5.7 The disposable handheld soil core samplers are single-use devices. They should not be cleaned or reused.

5.8 This disposable handheld soil core samplers cannot be used for collecting cemented material, consolidated material, or material having fragments wider than the mouth of the device or coarse enough to interfere with proper coring techniques.

1.1 This guide is intended for application to soils that may contain volatile organic compounds.

1.2 This guide provides a general procedure and considerations associated with using a disposable handheld soil core sampler to collect and temporarily store a soil sample for volatile organic analysis.

1.3 In general, an initial soil sample is collected (see Guides D6169/D6169M and D6282/D6282M) and the disposable handheld soil core sampler is then used to collect the 5 or 25 g soil sample from the initial soil core sample. The disposable handheld soil core sampler can also serve as a sample storage chamber. It is recommended that this standard be used in conjunction with Guides D4547, D4687, D6169/D6169M, D6232, D6282/D6282M, D6418, and D6640, as appropriate, which provide information on the collection of the initial soil core sample.

1.4 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.

1.5 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project’s many unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

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

1.7 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.