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U.S. EPA Superfund Innovative
Technology Evaluation (SITE) Program
Environmental Technology Verification Report
Soil Sampling Technology
Simulprobe Technologies, Inc. Core Barrel Sampler
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Soil Sampling Technology, Simulprobe Technologies, Inc. Core Barrel
Sampler (2,040KB)
Abstract
The Core Barrel Sampler is a soil sampling tool capable
of collecting unconsolidated subsurface material to depths that depend
on the capability of the advancement platform. The Core Barrel Sampler
can be advanced into the subsurface with direct-push platforms, drill
rigs, or manual methods. The Core Barrel Sampler was demonstrated in May
and June 1997 at two sites: the Small Business Administration (SBA) site
in Albert City, Iowa, and the Chemical Sales Company (CSC) site in Denver,
Colorado. These sites were chosen because each has a wide range of volatile
organic compound (VOC) concentrations and because each has a distinct
soil type. The Core Barrel Sampler was compared to a reference method
(hollow-stem auger drilling and split-spoon sampling) in terms of the
following parameters:
- sample recovery,
- VOC concentrations in recovered samples,
- sample integrity,
- reliability and throughput, and
- cost.
The demonstration data indicate the following performance
and cost characteristics:
- Average sample recoveries for the Core Barrel Sampler
were higher in clay soil and lower in sandy soil.
- There was a statistical difference between the VOC
concentrations for two of the twelve Core Barrel Sampler and reference
sample method pairs at the CSC site.
- The integrity of the unlined chamber of the Core Barrel
Sampler was not preserved, in eight of the fourteen integrity tests,
when the sampler was advanced through highly contaminated soils.
- The Core Barrel Sampler reliability to collect a sample
in the first attempt was lower than that of the reference sampling method
in both clay and sandy soils.
- The average retrieval time for the Core Barrel Sampler
was quicker then the reference method in clay soil but slower in sandy
soil.
- The Core Barrel Sampler costs for both clay soil and
sandy soil sites were lower than the reference sampling method.
- The cost depends on the amount of samples required,
the sample retrieval time, soil type, sample depth, and the disposal
costs associated with drill cuttings. A site-specific cost and performance
analysis is recommended before selecting a subsurface soil sampling
method since with any technology selection, the user must determine
what is appropriate for the application and project data quality.
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Posted October 6, 1999
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