Sample Code Field

Sample Type Code Assignment

During an environmental process, many different sample types are established. Within ERPIMS, the Sample Type Code (SACODE) identifies these sample types. A sample will be either a normal environmental sample or one of several quality control sample types. When assigning the SACODE, the purpose of the sample should guide the choice of code.

For ERPTools version X, SACODE entries are 1- or 2-character alphanumeric codes. If multiple normal samples of the same type (e.g., N, FD, etc.) are taken from a given location on the same day (with the same log date, sample type, matrix, beginning-depth and ending-depth) and their purpose is not quality control, these samples must be differentiated from each other by entering different LOGTIMEs.

The following section discusses sample types and SACODEs.

Field Sample Types

Ambient Conditions Blank (AB): An ambient conditions blank, also referred to as a field blank, is ASTM Type II Reagent Grade Water poured at ambient (current) conditions into a sample container at a sampling site. The purpose of this blank is to detect sample contamination introduced during, or as a result of, field sampling activities.

Equipment Blank  (EB): An equipment blank, also referred to as an equipment reinstate, is ASTM Type II Reagent Grade Water which is transported to the sampling site, opened and poured over or through the sample collection device, collected in a sample container and sent to the laboratory. The purpose of equipment blanks or reinstates is to measure the cleanliness of the sampling device. There can be more than one equipment blank taken for one site, especially if two different types of equipment are used, such as a bailer and a pump.

Field Duplicate (FD): A field duplicate is a second sample collected as close as possible to the same point in space and time as the normal sample. When a field duplicate is created, two separate samples are taken from the same source, stored in separate containers and analyzed independently. Field duplicates are useful in documenting the precision of the sampling process and the sample's homogeneity.

Field Replicate (FR): A field replicate, also known as field split, is one sample that is divided and sent to the same or separate laboratories for analysis. Field replicates are used to document the precision of field sampling events and sample homogeneity.

Field Spike (FS): A field spike, or a field matrix spike, is a sample prepared in the field by adding a known amount of analyte(s) to selected samples. They are used to check the effect of field sampling events upon analyte recovery and instrument accuracy. Field spikes are not normally performed due to the possible sources of error that can occur during their preparation.

Material Blank (MB): Occasionally, samples will be collected on various materials used at or located at a sampling location. This sample is called a material blank. It provides a quality control check on site materials such as cement, bentonite and sand or gravel filter packs.  

Material Blank Rinse (RB): A material blank rinse is a reinstate sample collected after the rinsing of a particular site material such as cement, bentonite and sand or gravel filter packs. Like a material blank, it provides a check on the type of material being used at a site.

Normal Environmental (N): This is an environmental sample, a representative sample of any matrix (water, soil, hazardous waste, etc.) collected at a location to make a determination of the location's composition or contamination.

Regulatory Duplicate (RD): Regulatory duplicates, also referred to as referee duplicates or splits, are samples that have been divided into two portions. One of the portions is sent to the referee Quality Assurance (QA) laboratory, if specified by the regulators (state or region), or if a special problem occurs in sample analyses or collection. These duplicates/splits are collected and analyzed in addition to the field duplicates. Regulatory duplicates are used to check precision and accuracy of the analyses being performed.

Trip Blank (TB): Trip blanks are used to detect contamination by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) during sample shipping and handling. Trip blanks are 40 ml VOA vials filled at the laboratory with ASTM Type II Water, transported to the sampling site and returned to the laboratory with volatile samples. These blanks remain unopened until reaching the laboratory where they are only analyzed for volatile organic compounds. One trip blank accompanies each cooler containing volatile samples. A trip blank is used to document contamination traceable to shipping and field handling procedures. This type of blank is useful in documenting contamination of volatile organic samples for both soil and water samples.

Values Used for Entry of Field Quality Control Samples

(a)   this entry should be the LOCID where the activity occurred.

(b)   this entry should be the matrix of the material tested.

(c)   this entry should be the matrix of the material tested.

x           = use W for aqueous, S for solid, A for air, G for gaseous or T for tissue quality control samples. Identify the         actual matrix of the quality control sample, NOT the matrix of the associated environmental sample.

PARENT       = The same information as the parent sample.

Laboratory Sample Types

Blank Spike (BS): Blank spikes are used to demonstrate the laboratory process for sample preparation and analysis is in control.  Another name for the blank spike is the Laboratory Control Sample (LCS).  Both the blank spike and the LCS consist of analyte free matrix that has been spiked with known amounts of specific analytes and are carried through the complete sample preparation and analysis procedure.

Blank Spike Duplicate (BD): The blank spike duplicate is a duplicate sample of the blank spike.  This duplicate is taken from the same spiked analyte mix from which the blank spike was made.  The blank spike duplicate and the blank spike are designed to check the precision and accuracy of a laboratory's analytical procedures by reporting the percent recovery of a known concentration of an analyte or analytes of interest in the pair of blank spikes.

Lab Blank (LB): A lab blank is a water sample of ASTM Type II Water that is designed to detect contamination of the environmental samples introduced by the laboratory.  Contamination can occur from laboratory airborne contaminants, instrumentation (GC, GC/MS, etc.) not being clean before sample analysis, improper handling of the sample in the laboratory or other factors. Method blanks and extraction blanks are classified as lab blanks. A method blank is used to determine the existence and magnitude of possible contamination encountered during the preparation and analysis of a sample.  The lab blank must be carried through the complete sample preparation and analytical procedure.  For example, when samples are prepared for pesticide extraction, a lab blank is also prepared for pesticide extraction and the samples and the lab blank are extracted together as a batch.

Lab Matrix Spike (MS): A matrix spike is an aliquot (portion) of sample spiked with a known concentration of target analyte(s).  The spiking occurs prior to the sample's preparation and analysis. This spike is used to document the bias introduced due to matrix effects.

Lab Matrix Spike Dupe (SD): Matrix spike duplicates are intra-laboratory split samples spiked with identical concentrations of target analyte(s). Along with the matrix spike, the matrix spike duplicate is used to document the precision and bias of an analytical method in a given sample matrix.

Lab Replicate (LR): A lab replicate is a sample split in the laboratory and analyzed twice.  These samples are designed to check the precision of the analytical results.

Reference Material (RM): This laboratory quality control is usually a water sample of ASTM Type II Water that contains known quantities of target analytes.  It is commonly referenced as an instrument's (GC, GC/MS, etc.) check standard and is analyzed before, during and after sample analysis.  This reference material, or check standard, is performed in order to ensure that the instrument's calibration is maintained throughout sample analysis. It is also used to re-calibrate an instrument, if necessary, and document the bias of the analytical process being performed.

Reference Mat’l Dupe (KD): This laboratory quality control is a second analysis of the first successful analysis of the reference material, or check standard.  Its purpose is to confirm the results of the first reference material, instrument calibration and analytical method bias.

Values Used for Entry of Laboratory Quality Control Samples

x = use W for aqueous, S for solid, A for air, G for gaseous or T for tissue quality control samples.  Identify the actual matrix of the quality control sample, NOT the matrix of the associated environmental sample.

n= sequential number, normally from 1 to 9, to accommodate multiple blanks, etc., in a single day.

PARENT = the same information as the parent sample.