1. Scope

1.1 Purpose This practice covers standardized techniques for actively collecting soil gas samples from the vadose zone beneath or near dwellings and other buildings.

1.2 Objectives Objectives guiding the development of this practice are: (1) to synthesize and put in writing good commercial and customary practice for soil gas sampling, (2) to provide an industry standard for soil gas sampling performed in support of vapor intrusion evaluations that is practical and reasonable.

1.3 This practice allows a variety of techniques to be used for collecting soil gas samples because different techniques may offer certain advantages for specific applications. Three techniques are presented: sampling at discrete depths, sampling over a small screened interval, and sampling using permanent vapor monitoring wells.

1.4 Some of the recommendations require knowledge of pressure differential and tracer gas concentration measurements.

1.5 The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. Other units are shown for information only.

1.6 This practice does not address requirements of any federal, state, or local regulations or guidance, or both, with respect to soil gas sampling. Users are cautioned that federal, state, and local guidance may impose specific requirements that differ from those of this practice.

1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.

1.8 This practice offers a set of instructions for performing one or more specific operations. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this practice may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM practice is not intended to represent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of a given professional service must be judged, nor should this document be applied without consideration of a project's many unique aspects. The word Standard in the title means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.

2. Referenced Documents (purchase separately) The documents listed below are referenced within the subject standard but are not provided as part of the standard.

ASTM Standards

D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids

D854 Test Methods for Specific Gravity of Soil Solids by Water Pycnometer

D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of Atmospheres

D1946 Practice for Analysis of Reformed Gas by Gas Chromatography

D2216 Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Water (Moisture) Content of Soil and Rock by Mass

D2487 Practice for Classification of Soils for Engineering Purposes (Unified Soil Classification System)

D3404 Guide for Measuring Matric Potential in Vadose Zone Using Tensiometers

D4696 Guide for Pore-Liquid Sampling from the Vadose Zone

D4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone

D5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment Used at Waste Sites

D5092 Practice for Design and Installation of Ground Water Monitoring Wells

D5314 Guide for Soil Gas Monitoring in the Vadose Zone

D5466 Test Method for Determination of Volatile Organic Chemicals in Atmospheres (Canister Sampling Methodology)

D5504 Test Method for Determination of Sulfur Compounds in Natural Gas and Gaseous Fuels by Gas Chromatography and Chemiluminescence

D6196 Practice for Selection of Sorbents, Sampling, and Thermal Desorption Analysis Procedures for Volatile Organic Compounds in Air

D6725 Practice for Direct Push Installation of Prepacked Screen Monitoring Wells in Unconsolidated Aquifers

E741 Test Method for Determining Air Change in a Single Zone by Means of a Tracer Gas Dilution

E2024 Test Methods for Atmospheric Leaks Using a Thermal Conductivity Leak Detector

F1815 Test Methods for Saturated Hydraulic Conductivity, Water Retention, Porosity, and Bulk Density of Athletic Field Rootzones

Keywords

sample measurement; soil gas; vadose zone; vapor intrusion; volatile organic compounds; Sampling; Vapor intrusion; Volatile organic compounds (VOC)

ICS Code

ICS Number Code 75.060 (Natural gas)

DOI: 10.1520/D7663-11

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