ASTM D4700-91(2006)
(Guide)Standard Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
Standard Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Chemical analyses of liquids, solids, and gases from the vadose zone can provide information on the presence, possible source, migration route, and physical-chemical behavior of contaminants. Remedial or mitigating measures can be formulated based on this information. This guide describes devices and procedures that can be used to obtain vadose zone soil samples.
Soil sampling is useful for the reasons presented in Section 1. However, it should be recognized that the general method is destructive, and that resampling at an exact location is not possible. Therefore, if a long term monitoring program is being designed, other methods for obtaining samples should be considered.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers procedures that may be used for obtaining soil samples from the vadose zone (unsaturated zone). Samples can be collected for a variety of reasons including the following:
1.1.1 Stratigraphic description,
1.1.2 Hydraulic conductivity testing,
1.1.3 Moisture content measurement,
1.1.4 Moisture release curve construction,
1.1.5 Geotechnical testing,
1.1.6 Soil gas analyses,
1.1.7 Microorganism extraction, or
1.1.8 Pore liquid and soils chemical analyses.
1.2 This guide focuses on methods that provide soil samples for chemical analyses of the soil or contained liquids or contaminants. However, comments on how methods may be modified for other objectives are included.
1.3 This guide does not describe sampling methods for lithified deposits and rocks (for example, sandstone, shale, tuff, granite).
1.4 In general, it is prudent to perform all field work with at least two people present. This increases safety and facilitates efficient data collection.
1.5 &inch-pound-units;
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.
1.6 This guide offers an organized collection of information or a series of options and does not recommend a specific course of action. This document cannot replace education or experience and should be used in conjunction with professional judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all circumstances. This ASTM standard 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 of this document means only that the document has been approved through the ASTM consensus process.
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Designation: D4700 − 91(Reapproved 2006)
Standard Guide for
Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D4700; 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 judgment. Not all aspects of this guide may be applicable in all
circumstances. This ASTM standard is not intended to repre-
1.1 This guide covers procedures that may be used for
sent or replace the standard of care by which the adequacy of
obtaining soil samples from the vadose zone (unsaturated
a given professional service must be judged, nor should this
zone). Samples can be collected for a variety of reasons
document be applied without consideration of a project’s many
including the following:
unique aspects. The word “Standard” in the title of this
1.1.1 Stratigraphic description,
document means only that the document has been approved
1.1.2 Hydraulic conductivity testing,
through the ASTM consensus process.
1.1.3 Moisture content measurement,
1.1.4 Moisture release curve construction,
2. Referenced Documents
1.1.5 Geotechnical testing,
2.1 ASTM Standards:
1.1.6 Soil gas analyses,
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
1.1.7 Microorganism extraction, or
Fluids
1.1.8 Pore liquid and soils chemical analyses.
D1452 Practice for Soil Exploration and Sampling byAuger
1.2 This guide focuses on methods that provide soil samples
Borings
for chemical analyses of the soil or contained liquids or
D1586 Test Method for Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-
contaminants. However, comments on how methods may be
Barrel Sampling of Soils
modified for other objectives are included.
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Soils for
1.3 This guide does not describe sampling methods for Geotechnical Purposes
lithified deposits and rocks (for example, sandstone, shale, tuff, D2488 Practice for Description and Identification of Soils
granite). (Visual-Manual Procedure)
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
1.4 In general, it is prudent to perform all field work with at
Drive Sampling of Soils
least two people present. This increases safety and facilitates
D4220 Practices for Preserving and Transporting Soil
efficient data collection.
Samples
1.5 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as standard. The values given in parentheses are mathematical
3. Terminology
conversions to SI units that are provided for information only
3.1 Definitions:
and are not considered standard.
3.1.1 Except where noted, all terms and symbols in this
1.6 This standard does not purport to address all of the
guide are in accordance with the following publications. In
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
order of consideration they are:
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
3.1.1.1 Terminology D653.
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
3.1.1.2 Compilation of ASTM Standard Terminology, and
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
3.1.1.3 Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary.
1.7 This guide offers an organized collection of information
3.1.2 For definitions and classifications of soil related terms
or a series of options and does not recommend a specific
used, refer to Practice D2488 and Terminology D653. Addi-
course of action. This document cannot replace education or
tional terms that require clarification are defined in 3.2.
experienceandshouldbeusedinconjunctionwithprofessional
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
This guide is under the jurisdiction ofASTM Committee D18 on Soil and Rock contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D18.21 on Groundwater and Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
Vadose Zone Investigations. the ASTM website.
Current edition approved July 1, 2006. Published August 2006. Originally Compilation of ASTM Standard Terminology, Sixth edition, ASTM
ε1
approved in 1991. Last previous edition approved in 1998 as D4700 – 91 (1998) . International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, West Conshohocken, PA, 1986.
DOI: 10.1520/D4700-91R06. Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary, Fifth edition, 1977.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
D4700 − 91 (2006)
5.2 Soil sampling is useful for the reasons presented in
Section 1. However, it should be recognized that the general
method is destructive, and that resampling at an exact location
is not possible.Therefore, if a long term monitoring program is
being designed, other methods for obtaining samples should be
considered.
6. Criteria for Selecting Soil Samplers
6.1 Important criteria to consider when selecting devices for
vadose zone soil sampling include the following:
6.1.1 Type of sample: An encased core sample, an uncased
core sample, a depth-specific representative sample, or a
sample according to requirements of the analyses,
6.1.2 Sample size requirements,
FIG. 1 Criteria for Selecting Soil Sampling Equipment
6.1.3 Suitability for sampling various soil types,
6.1.4 Maximum sampling depth,
6.1.5 Suitability for sampling soils under various moisture
conditions,
3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
6.1.6 Ability to minimize cross contamination,
3.2.1 cascading water—perched ground water that enters a
6.1.7 Accessibility to the sampling site, and
well casing via cracks or uncovered perforations, trickling, or
6.1.8 Personnel requirements.
pouring down the inside of the casing.
6.2 The sampling devices described in this guide have been
3.2.2 sludge—a water charged sedimentary deposit.
evaluated for these criteria. The results are summarized in Fig.
3.2.2.1 Discussion—The water-formed sedimentary deposit
1.
may include all suspended solids carried by the water and trace
elementsthatwereinsolutioninthewater.Sludgeusuallydoes
7. Sampling with Hand Operated Devices
not cohere sufficiently to retain its physical shape when
7.1 These devices, that have mostly been developed for
mechanical means are used to remove it from the surface on
agricultural purposes, include:
whichitdeposits,butitmaybebakedinplaceandbeadherent.
7.1.1 Screw-type augers,
7.1.2 Barrel augers,
4. Summary of Guide
7.1.3 Tube-type samplers,
4.1 Sampling vadose zone soil involves inserting into the
7.1.4 Hand held power augers, and
ground a device that retains and recovers a sample. Devices
7.1.5 Trench sampling with shovels in conjunction with
and systems for vadose zone sampling are divided into two
machine excavations.
general groups, namely the following: samplers used in con-
7.2 The advantages of using hand operated devices over
junction with hand operated devices; and samplers used in
drill rigs are the ease of equipment transport to locations with
conjunction with multipurpose or auger drill rigs. This guide
poor vehicle access, and the lower costs of setup and decon-
discusses these groups and their associated practices.
tamination. However, a major disadvantage is that these
4.2 The discussion of each device is organized into three
devices are limited to shallower depths than drill rigs.
sections, describing the device, describing sampling methods,
7.3 Screw-Type Augers:
and limitations and advantages of its use.
7.3.1 Description—The screw or ship auger is essentially a
4.3 This guide identifies and describes a number of sam-
small diameter (for example, 1.5 in. (3.81 cm)) wood auger
pling methods and samplers. It is advisable to consult available
from which the cutting side flanges and tip have been removed
site-specific geological and hydrological data to assist in
(1) (see Fig. 2(a)).According to the Soil Survey Staff (1) , the
determining the sampling method and sampler best suited for a
spiral part of the auger should be about 7 in. (18 cm) long, with
specific project. It is also advisable to contact a local firm
the distances between flights about the same as the diameter
providing the services required as not all sampling and drilling
(for example, 1.5 in.) of the auger. This facilitates measuring
methods described in this guide are available nationwide.
the depth of penetration of the tool. Variations on this design
include the closed spiral auger and the Jamaica open spiral
5. Significance and Use
auger (2) (see Fig. 2(b) and (c)). The auger is welded onto a
length of solid or tubular rod. The upper end of this rod is
5.1 Chemical analyses of liquids, solids, and gases from the
threaded, to accept a handle or extension rods. As many
vadose zone can provide information on the presence, possible
extensions are used as are required to reach the target sampling
source, migration route, and physical-chemical behavior of
contaminants. Remedial or mitigating measures can be formu-
lated based on this information. This guide describes devices
and procedures that can be used to obtain vadose zone soil
The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
samples. the text.
D4700 − 91 (2006)
7.4 Barrel Augers:
7.4.1 Description—The barrel auger consists of a bit with
cutting edges welded to a short tube or barrel within which the
soil sample is retained, welded in turn to shanks. The shanks
are welded to a threaded rod at the other end. Extension rods
are attached as required to reach the target sampling depth.
Extensions are marked in increments above the base of the
tool.The uppermost extension rod contains a tee-type coupling
forahandle.Theaugerisavailableincarbonsteelandstainless
steel with hardened steel cutting edges (5, 6).
7.4.2 Sampling Method—The auger is rotated to advance
the barrel into the ground. The operator may have to apply
downward pressure to keep the auger advancing. When the
barrel is filled, the unit is withdrawn from the soil cavity and a
sample may be collected from the barrel.
7.4.3 Comments—Barrel augers generally provide larger
samples than screw-type augers. The augers can penetrate
FIG. 2 Screw Type Augers
shallow clays, silts, and fine grained sands (7). The augers do
not work well in gravelly soils, caliche, or semi-lithified
depth. The rod and the extensions are marked in even incre-
deposits. Samples obtained with barrel augers are disturbed
ments (for example, in 6-in. (15.24-cm) increments) above the
and are not core samples. Therefore, the samples are not
base of the auger to aid in determining drilling depth. A
suitable for tests requiring undisturbed samples, such as
wooden or metal handle fits into a tee-type coupling, screwed
hydraulic conductivity tests. Nevertheless, the samplers are
into the uppermost extension rod.
still suitable for use in collecting samples for the purpose of
7.3.2 Sampling Method—For drilling, the auger is rotated
detecting contaminants. Because the sample is retained inside
manually. The operator may have to apply downward pressure
the barrel, there is less of a chance of mixing it with soil from
tostartandembedtheauger;afterwards,theaugerscrewsitself
a shallower interval during insertion or withdrawal of the
into the soil. The auger is advanced to its full length, and then
sampler. The following are five common barrel augers:
pulled up and removed. Soil from the deepest interval pen-
7.4.3.1 Post-hole augers (also called Iwan-type augers),
etrated by the auger is retained on the auger flights. A sample
7.4.3.2 Dutch-type augers,
can be collected from the flights using a spatula. A foot pump
7.4.3.3 Regular or general purpose barrel augers,
operated hydraulic system has been developed to advance
7.4.3.4 Sand augers, and
augers up to 4.5 in. (11.43 cm) in diameter. This larger
7.4.3.5 Mud augers.
diameter allows insertion of other sampling devices into the
7.4.4 Post-Hole Augers—The most readily available barrel
drill hole, once the auger is removed, if desired (3).
auger is the post-hole auger (also called the Iwan-type auger)
7.3.3 Comments—Samples obtained with screw-type sam-
(8). As shown in Fig. 3, the barrel consists of two-part
plers are disturbed and are not truly core samples. Therefore,
cylindrical leaves rather than a complete cylinder and is
the samples are not suitable for tests requiring undisturbed
slightly tapered toward the cutting bit. The taper and the
samples, such as hydraulic conductivity tests. In addition, soil
cupped bit help to retain soils within the barrel. The barrel is
structures are disrupted and small scale lithologic features
cannot be examined. Nevertheless, screw-type samplers are
still suitable for use in collecting samples for the purpose of
detecting contaminants. However, it is difficult to avoid trans-
porting shallow soils downward when reentering a drill hole.
When representative samples are desired from a discrete
interval, the borehole must be made large enough to insert a
sampler and extend it to the bottom of the borehole without
touching the sides of the borehole. It is suggested that a larger
diameter auger be used to advance and clear the borehole, then
a smaller diameter auger sampler be used to obtain the sample.
Screw-type augers work better in wet, cohesive soils than in
dry, loose soils. Sampling in very dry (for example, powdery)
soils may not be possible with these augers as soils will not be
retained on the auger flights.Also, if the soil contains gravel or
rockfragmentslargerthanaboutonetenthoftheholediameter,
drilling may not be possible (4).
This reference is manufacturer’s literature, and it has not been subjected to
technical review. FIG. 3 Post-Hole Type Barrel Auger
D4700 − 91 (2006)
available witha3to 12-in. (7.62 to 30.48-cm) diameter. There
are two types of drilling systems, one has a single rod and
handle, and the other has two handles. In stable, cohesive soils,
the auger can be advanced up to 25 ft (7.62 m) (8).
7.4.5 Dutch-Type Augers—The Dutch-type auger (commer-
cially developed by Eijkelkamp) is a smaller variation of the
post-hole auger design. As shown in Fig. 4, the pointed bit is
continuous with two, narrow part-cylindrical barrel segments,
welded onto the shanks. The barrel generally hasa3in.
(7.62 cm) outside diameter. This tool is best suited for sam-
pling wet, clayey soils.
7.4.6 Regular or General Purpose Barrel Augers—A ver-
sion of the barrel auger commonly used by soil scientists and
county agricultural agents is depicted in Fig. 5(a) and (b). As
shown, the barrel is a complete cylinder.
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