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TO E RO E K SOP No.004,REv.2 AssoclATEs,INC SOIL SAMPLING I PAGE 8 contamination of the sample. Test pits are not practical for sampling at depths greater than 15 feet. If soil samples are required from depths greater than 15 feet, samples should be obtained using test borings instead of test pits. Test pits are also usually limited to a few feet below the water table. In some cases, a pumping system may be required to control the water level within the pits. Access to open test pits should be restricted by the use of flagging,tape, or fencing. If a fence is used, it should be erected at least 6 feet from the perimeter of the test pit. The test pit should be backfilled as soon as possible after sampling is completed. Various equipment may be used to collect soil samples from the walls or bottom of a test pit. A hand auger, bucket auger, or core sampler can be used to obtain samples from various depths. A trier, trowel, EnCoreTM sampler, VOA plunger, or spoon can be used to obtain samples from the walls or pit bottom surface. 2.3 SURFACE SOIL SAMPLING The surface soil sampling equipment presented in this SOP is best suited for sampling to depths less than six feet below ground surface (bgs). The sample depth, sample analyses, soil type, and soil moisture will also dictate the most suitable sampling equipment. Prior to sample collection, the sampling locations should be cleared of any surface debris such as twigs,rocks,and litter. The following table presents various surface soil sampling equipment and their effective depth ranges, operating means (manual or power), and sample types collected (disturbed or undisturbed). Sampling Effective Depth Range Operating Equipment (feet bgs) Means Sample Type Hand Auger 0 to 6 Manual Disturbed Bucket Auger 0 to 4 Power Disturbed Core Sampler 0 to 4 Manual or Undisturbed Power