Environmental Sampling Information.

This table contains information pertinent to environmental sampling events and the samples collected.  Each record represents data concerning a sample taken in the field.  A separate record must be entered for every combination of location, log date, log time, sample type, matrix, sample beginning depth, and sample ending depth.  For all Field QC samples and Field blanks, enter the date and time that the QC sample was created in the LOGDATE and LOGTIME fields. Records from the SAMPLES table will only be included in data submissions if related TESTS and RESULTS records are included. The format for the ABLOT, EBLOT, and TBLOT field entries is [DDMMYYNN] where DD is the numeric date of the month, MM is the number for the month, YY is the last two digits of the calendar year, and NN is the sequentially assigned number for the lot.

When normal groundwater samples are taken, groundwater data (GWD) is required.  The data submission will not be considered complete without the GWD data, and may be rejected.

Static groundwater level records (for GWD) are normally expected to have a LOGDATE and LOGTIME on the same day as a normal environmental sample (with a matrix of “WG”) taken from monitoring wells.  Field tests (performed in the field and not by the lab) done on groundwater samples such as temperature, pH, specific conductivity, and turbidity should be performed on the same date as the groundwater sampling date.  Only the final result of those parameters is to be reported once they are stabilized.

AFCEC scientists have requested a way of discriminating groundwater samples that have been captured using low-flow or slow purge groundwater sampling (primarily looking for metals).  AFCEC has a requirement that they be able to distinguish low-flow samplings of groundwater versus traditional sampling methods (e.g., bailer, submersible pump).  A Sampling Method Code (SMCODE) of “LF” is available for identifying these types of samples. When using a low-flow sampling process, the monitoring wells are not emptied or purged multiple times prior to sampling.  Field tests, if applicable, are to be performed prior to sampling.