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CHAIN OF CUSTODY
SAMPLE VOLUMES
SAMPLE HANDLING GUIDELINES
 
Inorganic and Conventional Parameters
Parameters Method* Container Recommended Quantity (mL) Preservative Holding Time
Acidity 305.1, 2310B P,G 100 40C 14 days
Alkalinity 310.1, 310.2, 2320B P,G 100 40C 14 days
Ammonia-N 4500NH3BE, 350.3 P,G 500 40C, H2SO4 to pH <2 28 days
Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) 405.1, 5210B P,G 1000 40C 48 hours
Bromide 300.0, 9056 P,G 200 None 28 days
Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) HACH 8000 P,G 100 40C, H2SO4 to pH <2 28 days
Chloride 325.3, 9251, 9056 P,G 200 None 28 days
Chlorine, Residual 330.3, 4500 CLG P,G 200 None Immediately
Coliform, Fecal 9222D P,G (sterile) 100 40C, Na2S2O3 6 hours
Color 2120C, 110.3 P,G 100 40C 48 hours
Cyanide 335.1, 335.2, 335.3 9012A P,G 1000 40C, ascorbic acid, NaOH to pH > 12 14 days
Ferrous Iron 3500FED P,G 100 2mHCl/100mL Immediately
Flashpoint 1010 P,G 100 None Not specified
Fluoride 300.0, 9056, 340.2 P 500 None 28 days
Hardness 130.2 2340B P,G 100 HNO3 to pH < 2 6 months
Nitrogen, Kjeldahl (TKN) 4500NH, 351.4 P,G 500 40C, H2SO4 to pH <2 28 days
Nitrate-N 353.2 P,G 100 40C 48 hours
Nitrate-Nitrite as N 353.2 P,G 200 40C, H2SO4 to pH <2 28 days
Oil and Grease 1664A G 1000 40C, H2SO4 or HCI to pH < 2 28 days
Phenols 420.1, 420.2, 9066 P,G 1000 40C, H2SO4 to pH <2 28 days
Phosphorus, Total 365.1 P,G 200 40C, H2SO4 to pH <2 28 days
Phosphorus, Ortho 365.2, 4500PE P,G 200 40C 48 hours
pH 150.1, 9040B, 9045C P,G 100 None Immediately
Radiochemisrty
Alpha, Beta, Radium
Tritium
Radon, I-131 		900 & 9000 series
P,G
P,G
P,G
2000
100
1000
HNO3 to pH < 2
None
HNO3 to pH < 2
6 months
6 months
14 days
Reactivity SW846 7.3.3.2, 7.3.4.2 G 100g 40C Not Specified
Silica 370.1, 4500Si D P, PFTE, Quartz 100 40C 28 days
Solids, Dissolved (TDS) 160.1, 2540C P,G 100 40C 7 days
Solids, Suspended (TSS) 160.2, 2540D P,G 500 40C 7 days
Solids, Volatile (TVS) 160.4, 2540E P,G 100 40C 7 days
Solids, Total (TS) 160.3, 2.540B P,G 100 40C 7 days
Specific Conductance 120.1, 9050 P,G 100 40C 28 days
Specific Gravity 2710F P,G 100 40C 28 days
Sulfate 375.4, 9056, 9038 P,G 200 40C 28 days
Sulfide 376.1, 376.2, 9034 P,G 500 40C, Zn acetate, NaOH to pH > 9 7 days
Sulfite 4500S03B P,G 200 None Immediately
Surfactants (MBAS) 425.1, 5540C P,G 250 40C 48 hours
Total Organic Carbon (TOC) 415.1, 9060 P,G 100 40C, HCI to pH < 2 28 days
Total Organic Halogens (TOX) 9020B G-TLC (amber) 100 40C, H2SO4 to pH <2 28 days
Total Petroleum Hydrocarbon (TPH) 418.1 G-TLC 1000 40C, H2SO4 or HCI to pH < 2 28 days
Turbidity 180.1, 2130B P,G 100 40C 48 hours
Viscosity D2196 P,G 500 None Not Specified
*The methods listed are from typical EPA references.
#Solid and waste samples: Quantity 1-100g, preservative 4 ° C.
**Holding time for solids and samples is not defined
Organic Nitrogen = TKN – Ammonia-N
Metals
Parameters Method* Container Recommended Quantity (mL) Preservative Holding Time
Metals (except Hexavalent Chromium and Mercury):
Aqueous          
Total 6010B, 200.0, 7000 series P,G 500 HNO3 to pH < 2 6 months
Dissolved 6010B, 200.0, 7000 series P,G 500 Filter on site HNO3 to pH < 2 6 months
Solid          
Total 6010B, 200.0, 7000 series P,G 100g 40C 6 months
Hexavalent Chromium
Aqueous 7196A P,G 500 40C 24 hours
Solid 3060A/7196A P,G 100g 40C 30/7 days
Mercury
Aqueous          
Total 245.2/7470 P,G 500 HNO3 to pH < 2 28 days
Dissolved 245.2/7470 P,G 500 Filter on site HNO3 to pH < 2 28 days
Solid          
Total 7471 P,G 100g 40C 28 days
Metals – Boron must be collected in a polyethylene container.
*The methods listed are from typical EPA references.
CrIII=Total Cr-Hexavalent Cr
Organic Parameters
Volatile Organics
Sample Matrix Method* Container Minimum Quantity Preservative Holding Time
Concentrated Waste Samples 8021B, 8260B, 8015M

G-TLC or G-TLS

2 x 40mL vials or 2-oz wide mouth 40C 14 days
Aqueous Samples 8021B, 8260B, 8015M, 624, VPH G-TLS 2 x 40mL vials 40C, HCI to pH < 2 , Na2S2O3 if residual chlorine present 14 days, 7 days if not acid preserved
Solid Samples 8021B,8260B, 8015M, VPH

G-TLS or G-TLC

2-oz wide mouth and/or 3 Encores 40C 14 days **
*The methods listed are from typical EPA references.
**Solid samples collected in EnCore ä samplers must be transferred to a soil sample vial within 48 hours.
Semivolatile Organics, Pesticides/PCBs, Herbicides, PAHs, Petroleum
Hydrocarbons
Sample Matrix Method* Container Minimum Quantity Preservative Holding Time
Concentrated Waste Samples 8270C, 8081, 8082, 8015M, 8151A, 8141A, FL-PRO G-TLC (Amber) 1 Liter None 14 days until extraction, 40 days after extraction
Aqueous Samples 8270C, 8081, 8082, 8015M, 8151A, 8141A, 8310,608, 625, FL-PRO,EPH *** G-TLC (Amber) 2 x 1 Liter 40C 7 days until extraction, 40 days after extraction
Solid Samples

8270C, 8081, 8082, 8015M, 8151A, 8141A, 8310,EPH FL-PRO ***

G-TLC 8 oz. 40C 14 days until extraction, 40 days after extraction
Parameters Method* Container Recommended Quantity (mL) Preservative Holding Time
Dioxins and Furans** 613, 8280A, 8290, 1613 G-TLC(Amber) 2 x 1 Liter 40C 30 days until extraction, 45 days after extraction
*The methods listed are from typical EPA references.
**Concentrated wastes and soil samples are collected in 2 oz. to 1 Liter amber glass jars with TLC.
***1005/1006, Petroleum Hydrocarbons –14 days after extraction
TCLP/SPLP Parameters
Parameters Holding Time from Collection to TCLP Extraction (days) Holding Time from TCLP Extaction tor Preparative Extraction (days) Holding Time from TCLP/Preparative Extraction to Analysis (days) Total Time
Volatiles 14 NA 14 28
Semivolatiles 14 7 40 61
Mercury 28 NA 28 56
Metals 180 NA 180 360
Reference: 40CFR Part 136 Tables IA, IB, IC, ID & IE and Table II., SW846 Table 4-1 and Table 3-1, SW846 Method 1311 8.5,
*The methods listed are from typical EPA references
Acronymn Definitions: (Teflon is a registered trademark of E.I. DuPont)
CLP: EPA Contract Laboratory Program
G-TLC: Glass with Teflonā-lined cap
NA: Not Applicable
G: Glass
G-TLS: Glass with Teflonā-lined septrum
P: Polyethylene