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SAMPLING METHODOLOGIES USED ON THIS PROJECT <br /> STANDARD RWQCB INTERFACE SAMPLE: The tank removal sampling followed the <br /> standard protocol for obtaining interface samples. These samples fall into <br /> the category of samples which are known to be of primary concern to the <br /> interested regulatory agencies for determining if additional action will be <br /> required at a site and the methodology has been closely defined in state and <br /> RWQCB publications, supplements, and presentations. These specify both the <br /> acceptable depth and lateral situation of sample collection points. In <br /> accordance with these specifications, sample collection is executed as close <br /> as possible to the center line (longitudinal axis) of the tank and on a <br /> vertical axis with the fill pipe. A corresponding location is also found at <br /> the opposite end of the tank whenever standard interface samples are being <br /> collected. <br /> Briefly, the method consists of digging up native soil from directly below <br /> the fill pipe and the corresponding opposite end of the tank and obtaining a <br /> sample from the backfill/native soil interface or a short distance below the <br /> interface. In the case of tanks less than 1,000 gallons in capacity, only <br /> one sample from beneath the tank is required. A short distance has been <br /> defined by Region 2 Board engineers as not greater than twenty-four inches <br /> below the backfill/native soil interface and is generally taken to be one <br /> foot below the the backfill/native soil interface. This soil is brought up <br /> in the backhoe bucket. A shovel or trowel is used to cut away surface soil <br /> and backfill material which may have been included in the bucket, and the <br /> sample is taken by pushing or driving a brass sample liner into the newly <br /> exposed soil from the designated depth and location. Additional <br /> clarifications by Region 2 Board engineers have indicated that when there is <br /> an obvious difference in the relative contamination of soil brought up from <br /> the interface depth, then it is the relatively more contaminated soil that <br /> should be selected for inclusion in the sample. <br /> SAMPLE CONTAINERS <br /> Our firm uses new sample containers of the type specified by either EPA or <br /> the RWQCB for the collection of samples at sites where underground storage <br /> tanks are involved. Soil samples for volatile, semivolatile and nonvolatile <br /> analyses are all collected in properly prepared new brass liners which are 2 <br /> inches in diameter by 4 inches in length. Closure is accomplished with press <br /> fit plastic end caps which are fitted to the open ends of brass tube after a <br /> sheet of aluminum foil is wrapped over the exposed sample material. A non- <br /> contributing/nonsubtractive tape is wrapped completely around the joint areas <br /> where the plastic caps meet the outer wall of the brass tube. No preservative <br /> other than cold storage is used on samples captured in sample containers of <br /> this type. <br /> Sampling Report 88306-M-2 AL WILLIAMSON page 4 <br />