Sampling Reference Guides
Compliance with analysis-specific container and preservation requirements is a critical component to the sample collection process. In order to provide assistance to our clients during this stage of their projects, Alpha has a number of sampling reference guides which provide information on appropriate container type, required preservation, minimum sample volumes and associated method holding times for a variety of analytical parameters.
- Aqueous Sample Reference Guide
- Soil/Solid Sample Reference Guide
- Sediment Sample Reference Guide
- Tissue Sample Reference Guide
- Oil/NAPL/Product Sample Reference Guide
Aqueous Sample Reference Guide
- Inorganics
- Volatile Organics By GC/MS
- Extractable Organics By GC/MS
- Extractable Organics By GC
- Petroleum Hydrocarbons
Soil/Solid Sample Reference Guide
- Inorganics
- Volatile Organics By GC/MS
- Extractable Organics By GC/MS
- Extractable Organics By GC
- Petroleum Hydrocarbons
- TCLP
Sediment Sample Reference Guide
- Inorganics
- Volatile Organics By GC/MS
- Extractable Organics By GC/MS
- Extractable Organics By GC
- Petroleum Hydrocarbons
- TCLP
Tissue Sample Reference Guide
Oil / NAPL / Product Sample Reference Guide
Aqueous Sample Reference Guide
| Inorganics | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Alkalinity | SM2320B | Plastic | 250 ml | 4°C | 14 Days |
| Ammonia | 350.1, SM4500NH3-BH |
Plastic | 250 ml | H2SO4, pH<2, 4°C |
28 Days |
| Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) |
SM5210B | Plastic | 500 ml | 4° C | 48 Hours |
| Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) |
410.4, SM5220D | Plastic | 250 ml | H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C |
28 Days |
| Chloride | 9251, 300.0, SM4500Cl-E |
Plastic | 250 ml | 4° C | 28 Days |
| Cyanide | 335.1, 9010B, SM4500CN-CE, MADEP |
Plastic | 250 ml | NaOH, pH>12, 4°C |
14 Days |
| Fluoride | 300.0, SM4500F-B, BC |
Plastic | 500 ml | 4° C | 28 Days |
| Formaldehyde | 8315, PCAM (Mod.) |
Amber Glass |
1000 ml | 4° C | 3 Days |
| Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) |
7196A, SM3500Cr-D |
Plastic | 500 ml | 4° C | 24 Hours |
| MBAS | 425.1, SM5540C |
Plastic | 1000 ml | 4° C | 48 Hours |
| Nitrate | 300.0, 353.2, SM4500NO3 -F | Plastic | 250 ml | 4° C | 48 Hours |
| Nitrate/Nitrite | 353.2, SM4500NO3 -F |
Plastic | 250 ml | H2SO4 , pH<2, 4° C | 28 Days |
| Nitrite | 353.2, SM4500NO3 -F, SM4500N02 -B |
Plastic | 250 ml | 4° C | 48 Hours |
| Nitrogen, Total Kjeldahl (TKN) |
353.3/.1 (Modified), SM4500Norg-C |
Plastic | 250 ml | H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C |
28 Days |
| Oil & Grease | 1664A | Amber Glass |
(2) 1000 ml | HCI, pH<2, 4° C | 28 Days |
| Orthophosphate | SM4500P-E | Plastic | 250 ml | 4° C | 48 Hours |
| pH | 150.1, 9040B | Plastic | 250 ml | 4° C | Immediate |
| Phosphorous, Total |
SM4500P-E | Plastic | 250 ml | H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C |
28 Days |
| Solids, Total (TS) | 2540B | Plastic | 250 ml | 4° C | 7 Days |
| Solids, Total Dissolved (TDS) |
SM2540C | Plastic | 500 ml | 4° C | 7 Days |
| Solids, Total Suspended (TSS) |
SM2540D | Plastic | 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Days |
| Solids, Total Volatile (TVS) |
SM2540E | Plastic | 500 ml | 4° C | 7 Days |
| Sulfate | 9038, SM4500SO4 -E, 300.0 |
Plastic | 250 ml | 4° C | 28 Days |
| Sulfide | 9030B, SM4500S2 -AD | Plastic | (2) 250 ml | ZnOAC, NaOH, pH>9, 4° C |
7 Days |
| Total Metals | 200.7, 200.8, 6010B, 6010C, 6020, 6020A, 7000A | Plastic | 500 ml | HNO3, pH<2, 4° C | 180 Days, Hg 28 days |
| Total Organic Carbon (TOC) |
415.1, 9060, SM5310C | Amber Glass |
(2) 40 ml VOA Vials | H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C |
28 Days |
| Total Phenol | 420.1, 9065, SM510ABC |
Amber Glass |
(2) 1000 ml | H2SO4, pH<2, 4° C | 28 Days |
| Total Residual Chlorine | SM4500Cl-D | Plastic | 500 ml | 4° C | 24 Hours |
| Turbidity | 180.1, SM2130B | Plastic | 500 ml | 4° C | 48 Hours |
| Volatile Organics by GC/MS | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Volatile Organics |
524.2 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 40 ml VOA Vials |
Ascorbic Acid, HCL, pH<2, 4° C |
14 Days |
| Volatile Organics |
624 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 40 ml VOA Vials |
Na2S2O3, 4° C |
7 Days |
| Volatile Organics |
8260B | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 40 ml VOA Vials |
HCL, pH<2, 4° C |
14 Days |
| Extractable Organics by GC/MS | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) |
8270C | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Days (Extraction) |
| Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) |
625 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | Na2S2O3, 4° C |
7 Days (Extraction) |
| Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) |
625 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml |
Na2S2O3, |
7 Days (Extraction) |
| Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) |
8270C, 8270C-SIM |
Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Days (Extraction) |
| Extractable Organics by GC | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Pesticides (Organochlorine) |
8081A, 8081B | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Days (Extraction) |
| Pesticides (Organochlorine) |
608 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | Na2S2O3, 4° C |
7 Days (Extraction) |
| PCBs | 8082, 8082A | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C |
None (Extraction) |
| PCBs | 608 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | Na2S2O3, 4° C |
7 Days (Extraction) |
| Chlorinated Herbicides |
8151A | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Days (Extraction) |
| Petroleum Hydrocarbons | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| MA-DEP EPH | EPH-04-1 |
Amber Glass |
(2) 1000 ml | HCl, pH<2, 4° C |
14 Days (Extraction) |
| MA-DEP VPH | VPH-04-1.1 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 40 ml VOA Vials |
HCl, pH<2, 4° C |
14 Days |
| CT ETPH | CT ETPH | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Day (Extraction) |
| TPH - Oil & Grease | EPA 1664A | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | HCl, pH<2, 4° C |
28 Days |
| ME DEP TPH DRO |
ME 4.1.25 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | HCl, pH<2, 4° C |
7 Days (Extraction) |
| ME DEP TPH GRO |
ME 4.2.17 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 40 ml VOA Vials |
HCl, pH<2, 4° C |
14 Days |
| TPH-DRO | 8015B | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Days (Extraction) |
| TPH-GRO | 8015B | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 40 ml VOA Vials |
HCl, pH<2, 4° C |
14 Days |
| TPH GC/FID Quantitation only |
8015B (M) | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Days (Extraction) |
| Petroleum Hydrocarbon Identification (PHI) |
8015B (M) | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
(2) 1000 ml | 4° C | 7 Days (Extraction) |
Soil/Solid Sample Reference Guide
| Inorganics | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Ammonia | SM4500NH3-B | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 28 Days |
| Cyanide | 9010B, 9012A, 9014, SM4500CN-CE, MADEP |
Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days |
| Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) |
7196A | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 30 Days |
| Mercury | 7471A, 7471B, 7474 | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 28 Days |
| Metals | 6010B, 6010C, 6020, 6020A, 7000A |
Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 180 Days |
| pH | 9045C | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | Immediate |
| Total Organic Carbon (TOC) |
Lloyd Kahn (LK) Method, 9060 |
Amber Glass |
4 oz |
4° C | 14 Days (LK) 28 Days (9060) |
| Total Phenol | 9065 | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 28 Days |
| Volatile Organics by GC/MS | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Volatile Organics |
8260B / 5035, (High Level) |
40 ml Amber VOA Vial |
15 Grams | MeOH, 4° C | 14 Days |
| Volatile Organics |
8260B / 5035, (Low Level) |
(2) 40 ml Amber VOA |
5 Grams | NaSO4, 4° C | 14 Days |
| Volatile Organics |
8260B / 5035, |
(2) 40 ml Amber VOA |
5 Grams | Water, 4° C | 48 Hours |
| Extractable Organics by GC/MS | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) |
8270C | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) |
8270C, 8270C-SIM |
Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Extractable Organics by GC | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Pesticides (Organochlorine) |
8081A, 8081B | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| PCBs | 8082, 8082A | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Chlorinated Herbicides |
8151A | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Petroleum Hydrocarbons | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| MA-DEP EPH | EPH-04-1 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| MA-DEP VPH | VPH-04-1.1 | 40 ml Amber VOA Vial |
15 Grams | MeOH, 4° C | 28 Days |
| TPH-8100M | GC-FID Qualitative Fingerprint |
Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| CT ETPH | CT ETPH | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| TPH - Oil & Grease | EPA 1664A | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 28 Days |
| ME DEP TPH DRO |
ME 4.1.25 | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| ME DEP TPH GRO |
ME 4.2.17 | 40 ml Amber VOA Vial |
15 Grams | MeOH, 4° C | 14 Days |
| TPH-DRO | 8015B | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| TPH-GRO | 8015B | 40 ml Amber VOA Vial |
15 Grams | MeOH, 4° C | 14 Days |
| TPH GC/FID Quantitation only |
8015B (M) | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Petroleum Hydrocarbon Identification (PHI) |
8015B (M) | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| TCLP | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Volatiles | 1311, 8260B | Large Amber Glass VOA Vial Teflon Lined |
8 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Semivolatiles | 1311, 8270C, 8081A, 8081B, 8151A | Amber Glass Teflon Lined |
8 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Metals | 1311, 6010B, 6010C, 6020, 6020A, 7000A | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 180 Days (Extraction) |
| Mercury | 1311, 7470A | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container |
4° C | 28 Days (Extraction) |
Sediment Sample Reference Guide
| Inorganics | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Metals | 6010B, 7000, 6020A | Glass |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 180 Days |
| Mercury | 7471A | Glass |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 28 Days |
| AVS/SEM (Acid Volatile Sulfide / Simultaneously Extracted Metals) | EPA-121-R91-100 | Glass with teflon septa cap | 4 oz Container | 4° C, No Headspace | 21 Days |
| Cyanide, Total | 9010B, 9012A, 9014 | Glass |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days |
| Physiologically Available Cyanide | 9010B, 9012A, 9014 | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days |
| Weak Acid Dissociable Cyanide | 9010B, 9012A, 9014 | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days |
| Ignitability | 1010 | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 180 Days |
| Reactivity - Cyanide/Sulfide | Ch. 7 SW-846 | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | analyze immediately |
| Sulfide | SM4500S2-AD | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C, No Headspace |
28 Days (ext.) 7 Days (after ext.) |
| Hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) |
7196A, SM 3500Cr-D | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 21 Days (digestion) 3 Days after digestion |
| Grain Size, Bulk Density, Organic Matter, Moisture Content | ASTM Methods | ziploc bag | quart ziploc | NA | NA |
| Percent Solids/ Volatile Solids | SM 2540B, 2540G | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | NA |
| pH/Corrosivity | 9045C | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | analyze immediately |
| Inorganic Anions (Bromide, Chloride, Fluoride, Nitrate, Nitrite, Sulfate) | 300 | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 28 Days (extraction) except Nitrate/Nitrite |
| Total Organic Carbon (TOC) |
9060, Lloyd Kahn | Glass |
4 oz Container |
4° C | 28 Days (extraction) Lloyd Kahn-14 Days |
| Volatile Organics by GC/MS | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Volatile Organics |
8260B / 5035 (High Level) |
40 ml VOA Vial |
5 Grams | 5ml MeOH, 4° C | 14 Days |
| Volatile Organics |
8260B / 5035 |
(2) 40 ml VOA Vial |
5 Grams | 5ml Water, 4° C |
48 Hrs freeze, 14 Days analysis |
| Extractable Organics by GC/MS | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) |
8270C | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) |
8270C, 8270C-SIM |
Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| PCB Homologs | 8270C(M); 680 | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| PCB Congeners | 8270C(M); 680 | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Extractable Organics by GC | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Pesticides | 8081A, 8081B | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| PCB Aroclors | 8082, 8082A | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days(Extraction) |
| PCB Congeners | 8082, 8082A | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| PCB Homologs | 8082, 8082A | Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Petroleum Hydrocarbons | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| MA-DEP EPH | EPH-04-1 | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| MA-DEP VPH | VPH-04-1.1 | 40 ml Amber VOA Vial |
15 Grams | MeOH, 4° C | 28 Days |
| TPH-GRO | 8015B | 40 ml Amber VOA Vial |
15 Grams | MeOH, 4° C | 14 Days |
| TPH-DRO | 8015B | Amber Glass | 4 oz Container | 4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| TCLP | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Semivolatiles | 1311, 8270C, 8081A, 8081B | Glass | 8 oz Container |
4° C | 14 Days (Extraction) |
| Metals | 1311, 6010B, 6010C, 6020, 6020A, 7000A | Glass | 8 oz Container |
4° C | 180 Days (Extraction) |
| Mercury | 1311, 7470A, 7474 | Glass | 8 oz Container |
4° C | 28 Days (Extraction) |
Tissue Sample Reference Guide
| Inorganics | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Metals | 6010B, 7000, 6020A | Glass |
4 oz Container |
Frozen | 1 Year |
| Mercury | 7471A, 7474 | Glass |
4 oz Container |
Frozen | 1 Year |
| Cyanide, Total | 9010, 9014 | Glass |
4 oz Container |
Frozen | 1 Year |
| Moisture Content | SM2540G | Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
| Percent Lipids | Alpha Method | Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
| Percent Solids | SM 2540G | Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
| Extractable Organics | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) |
8270C | Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
| Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) |
8270C, 8270C-SIM |
Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
| Pesticides | 8081B / 8270C | Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
| PCB Aroclors | 8082A / 8270C | Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
| PCB Congeners | 8082A / 8270C | Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
| PCB Homologs | 8082A / 8270C | Glass | 4 oz Container | Frozen | 1 Year |
Oil / NAPL / Product Sample Reference Guide
| Extractable Organics By GC/MS | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| Acid/Base Neutral Extractables (ABN) |
8270C | Glass | 20 mL vial | 4° C | NA |
| Polynuclear Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH) |
8270C, 8270C-SIM |
Glass | 20 mL vial | 4° C | NA |
| Petroleum Hydrocarbons | |||||
| Analyses | Methods | Container | Sugg. Qty. | Preservative | Holding Time |
| TPH- 8015 | 8015 Mod. | Glass | 20 mL vial | 4° C | NA |
| Saturated Hydrocarbons |
8015 Mod. | Glass | 20 mL vial | 4° C | NA |
| Whole Oil Analysis | NA | Glass | 20 mL vial | 4° C | NA |
