ASTM D6640-01(2010)
(Practice)Standard Practice for Collection and Handling of Soils Obtained in Core Barrel Samplers for Environmental Investigations
Standard Practice for Collection and Handling of Soils Obtained in Core Barrel Samplers for Environmental Investigations
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Often during environmental investigations, soils are analyzed after being collected from the surface, the vadose zone (D653) and sometimes from below the ground water table to identify and quantify the presence of a chemical contaminant. A contaminant is a substance that is typically hazardous and either is not normally present or that occurs naturally but is of an uncharacteristically high concentration (D4687). A three-dimensional spatial array of samples can often provide information as to the source and route(s) of migration of the contaminant. The resultant information is used to direct remedial and corrective actions or can be used for monitoring purposes. Obtaining a soil sample with a core barrel sampler involves driving this device into the ground and then retrieving it for sample processing. Several methods for advancing a core barrel are generally acceptable (e.g., D1586, D1587, D3550, D4700, D5784, D5875, D5876, D6151, D6282, and D6286). Drilling methods that use drilling fluids (liquids or air) should be avoided because they are more susceptible to cross-contamination (See Section 5.1.6).
SCOPE
1.1 This practice covers procedures for obtaining soils from core barrel samplers for chemical and physical analysis, with an emphasis on the collection and handling procedures that maintain the representativeness of the chemical contaminants of concern. Core barrel samplers are initially empty (hollow) until they are pushed into the ground to collect and retrieve a cylindrical soil sample with minimal disturbance. The selection of equipment and the sample handling procedures are dependent on the soil properties, the depth of sampling, and the general properties of the chemical contaminants of concern, that is, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic compounds, and inorganic constituents. The sampling procedures described are designed to maintain representative concentrations of the contaminants regardless of their physical state(s), that is, solid, liquid or gas.
1.2 Four general types of core barrel samplers are discussed in this practice: split-barrel, ring-lined barrel, thin-walled tube, and solid-barrel samplers.
1.3 This document does not cover all the core barrel devices that are available for the collection of soil samples.
1.4 The procedures described may or may not be applicable to handling of samples for assessing certain geotechnical properties, for example, soil porosity.
Note 1—Prior to commencement of any intrusive exploration, the site should be checked for underground utilities.
1.5 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.
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Standards Content (Sample)
NOTICE: This standard has either been superseded and replaced by a new version or withdrawn.
Contact ASTM International (www.astm.org) for the latest information
Designation: D6640 − 01 (Reapproved 2010)
StandardPractice for
Collection and Handling of Soils Obtained in Core Barrel
Samplers for Environmental Investigations
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6640; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 2. Referenced Documents
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1 This practice covers procedures for obtaining soils from
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
core barrel samplers for chemical and physical analysis, with
Fluids
an emphasis on the collection and handling procedures that
D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-
maintain the representativeness of the chemical contaminants
Barrel Sampling of Soils
of concern. Core barrel samplers are initially empty (hollow)
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for
until they are pushed into the ground to collect and retrieve a
Geotechnical Purposes
cylindricalsoilsamplewithminimaldisturbance.Theselection
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
of equipment and the sample handling procedures are depen-
Drive Sampling of Soils
dent on the soil properties, the depth of sampling, and the
D3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and
general properties of the chemical contaminants of concern,
for Preservation of Organic Constituents
that is, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic
D4547 Guide for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile
compounds, and inorganic constituents. The sampling proce-
Organic Compounds
dures described are designed to maintain representative con-
D4687 Guide for General Planning of Waste Sampling
centrations of the contaminants regardless of their physical
D4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
state(s), that is, solid, liquid or gas.
D5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
1.2 Four general types of core barrel samplers are discussed
Used at Waste Sites
in this practice: split-barrel, ring-lined barrel, thin-walled tube,
D5784 Guide for Use of Hollow-Stem Augers for Geoenvi-
and solid-barrel samplers.
ronmental Exploration and the Installation of Subsurface
1.3 This document does not cover all the core barrel devices
Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
that are available for the collection of soil samples.
D5792 Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Re-
lated to Waste Management Activities: Development of
1.4 The procedures described may or may not be applicable
Data Quality Objectives
to handling of samples for assessing certain geotechnical
D5875 Guide for Use of Cable-Tool Drilling and Sampling
properties, for example, soil porosity.
NOTE 1—Prior to commencement of any intrusive exploration, the site Methods for Geoenvironmental Exploration and Installa-
should be checked for underground utilities.
tion of Subsurface Water-Quality Monitoring Devices
1.5 This standard does not purport to address all of the D5876 Guide for Use of Direct Rotary Wireline Casing
Advancement Drilling Methods for Geoenvironmental
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro- Exploration and Installation of Subsurface Water-Quality
Monitoring Devices
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use. D6051 Guide for Composite Sampling and Field Subsam-
pling for Environmental Waste Management Activities
D6151 Practice for Using Hollow-StemAugers for Geotech-
nical Exploration and Soil Sampling
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.03 on
Sampling Equipment. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved May 1, 2010. Published June 2010. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 2005 as D6640-01 (2005). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D6640-01R10. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D6640 − 01 (Reapproved 2010)
D6169 Guide for Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling rule samples obtained for semi-volatile organic compound
Devices Used With Drill Rigs for Environmental Investi- analysiscanbeobtainedwithinacorebarrelorcorebarrelliner
gations that is composed of stainless steel, steel, or brass. When only
D6232 Guide for Selection of Sampling Equipment for inorganic constituents are of concern, a plastic core barrel liner
WasteandContaminatedMediaDataCollectionActivities would be more appropriate than the previously cited materials.
D6282 Guide for Direct Push Soil Sampling for Environ- All of these materials are suitable for volatile organic com-
mental Site Characterizations (Withdrawn 2014) pounds as long as the contact time is minimized. Often all of
D6286 Guide for Selection of Drilling Methods for Environ- the above samples (semi-volatile organic, inorganic, and vola-
mental Site Characterization tileorganiccompounds)areobtainedfromasinglesoilcore.In
this situation, soils should be taken from the interior of the soil
3. Summary of Practice
core to avoid potential interferences between the contaminants
3.1 Obtaining soil samples from the surface and subsurface of concern and the surface of the core barrel that is in direct
contact with the sample.
for chemical and physical analysis often involves the advance-
ment of a core barrel sampler into the ground. A core barrel 5.1.2 The design of the core barrel sampler should allow for
sampler can be operated by hand or mechanically, and it may easy access to the sampled substrate for all subsequent han-
beofaclosedoropendesign(D6282).Oncethecorebarrelhas dling procedures.
been filled, the sampler is recovered from the bore hole and the 5.1.3 Core barrel size requirements depend on the type and
soil sample is handled appropriately for the chemical constitu-
number of chemical constituents of concern. For example,
ents of concern. more soil is needed for the collection of samples intended for
semi-volatile organic compound analysis than for the analysis
3.2 This practice describes collection and handling proce-
of volatile organic compounds or inorganic constituents or
dures used with four types of core barrel samplers. The
both. Typically, a 250-mL(8-oz) bottle is filled for the analysis
standardsrelatedtodataqualityobjectives(D5792),equipment
ofsemi-volatileorganiccompounds,a125-mL(4-oz)bottlefor
specifications (D6232, D6169 and D4700), their limitations
inorganic constituents, and only 5-g subsamples are taken for
and advantages (D6282), and the site-specific geological and
volatile organic compounds.
hydrological data should be reviewed to determine the soil
5.1.4 Suitability for soil type, that is, grain size, cohesion
coring equipment that is best suited for a specific project.
properties, and moisture content. For example, when sampling
4. Significance and Use non-cohesive materials or when sampling below the water
table, a core catcher (basket) should be used to limit the loss of
4.1 Often during environmental investigations, soils are
sample and ground water during retrieval (D4700 and D6282).
analyzed after being collected from the surface, the vadose
5.1.5 The spreading of contamination between sampling
zone(D653)andsometimesfrombelowthegroundwatertable
depths should be minimized. Sealed hollow-barrel samplers
to identify and quantify the presence of a chemical contami-
(6.1.4) or cased bore holes and proper advancement techniques
nant. A contaminant is a substance that is typically hazardous
should be used to limit cross-contamination between sampling
and either is not normally present or that occurs naturally but
depths in the vadose zone.Although a cased bore hole does not
is of an uncharacteristically high concentration (D4687). A
guarantee that contamination will not be spread from one
three-dimensional spatial array of samples can often provide
sampling depth to another, it lowers the possibility and
information as to the source and route(s) of migration of the
eliminates the potential for bore hole collapse and side wall
contaminant. The resultant information is used to direct reme-
slough that can compromise the integrity of the samples
dial and corrective actions or can be used for monitoring
removed from uncased bore holes. When there is standing
purposes. Obtaining a soil sample with a core barrel sampler
ground water in the bore hole, a sealed sampler system should
involves driving this device into the ground and then retrieving
be used.
it for sample processing. Several methods for advancing a core
5.1.6 Other criteria that should be considered when select-
barrel are generally acceptable (e.g., D1586, D1587, D3550,
ing a core barrel sampler for soil sampling include sampling
D4700, D5784, D5875, D5876, D6151, D6282, and D6286).
depth (see Guide D6286, for selection of drilling method), site
Drilling methods that use drilling fluids (liquids or air) should
accessibility, time constraints, and appropriate equipment
be avoided because they are more susceptible to cross-
availability.
contamination (See Section 5.1.6).
5. Equipment Selection Criteria
6. Sampling Equipment
5.1 Important criteria to consider when selecting a core
6.1 The types of core barrel samplers discussed in this
barrel sampler for soil sampling are:
practice are the split-barrel, ring-lined barrel, thin-walled tube,
5.1.1 The materials that come into direct contact with the
and solid-barrel samplers. These samplers are part of equip-
soil sample (barrel or barrel liner) should be compatible with
ment that is either manually or mechanically powered, are
the chemical or physical properties of the contaminant(s) of
designed to excavate a bore hole to the sampling depth, and
concern and the chemical properties of the soil. As a general
may remain in the bore hole during the sample collection
activity (i.e., cased bore hole or dual-walled casing).
6.1.1 Split-Barrel Sampler—As described in Methods
The last approved version of this historical standard is referenced on
www.astm.org. D1586 and D4700, the split-barrel sampler is composed of a
D6640 − 01 (Reapproved 2010)
core barrel cut in half along the length of the barrel, a hardened
metal drive shoe (cutting tip) and a sample head that vents
(e.g., a ball check valve) to allow air to be displaced as it is
filled (see Fig. 1). The shoe and the head thread onto opposite
ends of the split barrel and hold the two halves together. A
common barrel size is 5.08 cm (2 in.) outside diameter and
3.81 cm (1.5 in.) inside diameter.The drive shoe used with this
particular barrel size has an inside diameter of 3.49 cm (1.375
in.). If fitted with a liner for encasing the sample, the inside
diameter of the core barrel liner should not be less than the
drive shoe. Several other sizes of split-barrel samplers are
available, with inside diameters ranging from 2.5 to 10 cm. A
core barrel catcher (basket) can be used with this type of
sampler to help retain non-cohesive materials. The split-barrel
sampler is often used in conjunction with hollow-stem
continuous-flightaugersoranequivalentdrillingordirect-push
probe system (D4700 and D6282).
6.1.2 Ring-LinedBarrelSampler—As described in Methods
D3550 and D4700, the ring-lined barrel sampler consists of an
intact barrel or two split-barrel halves, a drive shoe, rings, a
waste barrel, and a sampler head that vents (e.g., a ball check
valve) to allow air to be displaced as it is filled (Fig. 2). The
rings, which come in various lengths and are made of several
different materials, should fit snugly within the barrel. The
FIG. 2 Ring-Lined Barrel Sampler
inside diameter of the rings should not be less than that of the
drive shoe opening.The lengths of the rings will depend on the
sampling plan so as to either allow quick access to a cross
section of the soil core at a depth of interest or allow the
appropriate size sample to be collected (see section 8.1.2). The
waste barrel section allows the rings to be filled with undis-
turbed soil by leaving space to contain the disturbed soil that
often is present at the bottom of a hole.Acore catcher (basket)
can be used with this type of sampler to help retain non-
cohesive materials. This sampler is often used in conjunction
with hollow-stem continuous flight augers, or an equivalent
drilling or direct-push probe system (D4700 and D6282).
6.1.3 Thin-Walled Tube Sampler—As described in Methods
D1587 and D4700, the thin-walled tube sampler consists of a
core barrel attached to a head (Fig. 3). The head connects to
standard drill rods and contains a vent (e.g., a ball check valve)
to allow air to be displaced as it is filled. This sampler
description is unique to the Shelby tube, which is available
with outside diameters of 5.08, 7.62, and 12.70 cm (2, 3, and
5 in.), and a length of approximately 0.91 m (36 in.). In all
cases the drive end of the thin-walled tube sampler has a
slightly smaller diameter than the inside of the tube. A core
barrel catcher (basket) cannot be used with this type of
sampler; therefore, non-cohesive materials may be lost during
FIG. 1 Split Barrel Sampler retrieval. These samplers are often used in conjunction with
D6640 − 01 (Reapproved 2010)
FIG. 3 Thin-Walled Tube Sampler
hollow-stem continuous-flight augers or an equivalent drilling
FIG. 4 Direct Push, Single Tube Sampler
or direct-push probe system (D4700 and D6282).
6.1.4 Solid Barrel Sampler—The solid-barrel sampler is
7.1.2 Thecuttingtiporshoeshouldhaveasharpedge.Once
similar in design to the thin-tube sampler, with some important
dulled, the cutting tip or shoe should be sharpened or replaced.
exceptions; the walls are thicker and they often can be
7.1.3 A work station should be set up for capping the core
equippedwithaliner(s)andacorecatcher(MethodD6282,see
barrel sampler or when opening to remove subsamples. This
Figs. 4 and 5). Most of the core barrel samplers in D6282 are
work station should consist of a flat clean surface and be set up
designed to be a closed chamber until the depth of interest is
in a location which provides protection from extreme weather
reached, then either the entire sampler or an inner barrel is
conditions and that is upwind of any loca
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