Taking soil samples for determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Specification

Taking soil samples for determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs). Specification

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1   Scope

This British Standard specifies methods for taking soil samples for the determination of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) to minimize the possible loss of VOCs to atmosphere during and after sample collection.
Two principal ways of taking samples for VOC determination are specified:
  1. a) an intact core sealed to prevent loss of VOCs is taken and sent to the laboratory; and
  2. b) a small portion of material taken with a coring device is immediately placed in water or a preservative (e.g. methanol or sodium hydrogen sulfate) in a subsequently sealed vial to be sent to the laboratory.
The methanol immersion method described amplifies the guidance in BS EN ISO 15009, BS EN ISO 16558‑1, BS ISO 18512 and BS EN ISO 22155 about this method and is intended to be followed in preference to the briefer descriptions in these four standards.

NOTE 1 This standard uses the term "soil" to refer to "soil and soil materials" as defined BS EN ISO 11074:2015, 7.4.16, although the procedures specified might not be applicable to certain coarse soils and rocks (see 4.1.2, Figure 1 and 6.3).

NOTE 2 The methods described can be applied at the sampling location, in an on-site facility or at an off-site facility. In all three cases, the sample is then sent to the analytical laboratory. It is assumed that the overall site investigation is carried out in accordance with BS 10175 and that the sampling strategy is developed in accordance with BS 10175 and BS ISO 18400‑104.

NOTE 3 Analytical procedures are outside the scope of this standard. Laboratories should adopt procedures that will yield accurate results for the sample as presented to the laboratory. The sampling methods described are suitable for use in connection with, amongst others, the analytical methods described in:

  • • BS EN ISO 15009, Gas chromatographic determination of the content of volatile aromatic hydrocarbons, naphthalene and volatile halogenated hydrocarbons – Purge-and-trap method with thermal desorption;
  • • BS EN ISO 16558‑1, Risk–based petroleum hydrocarbons – Determination of aliphatic and aromatic fractions of volatile petroleum hydrocarbons using gas chromatography (static headspace method);
  • • BS EN ISO 22155, Gas chromatographic determination of volatile aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons and selected ethers – Static headspace method.
Observations and recommendations regarding analytical procedures in commentaries and notes are provided for information only.