Standard Practice for Planning the Sampling of the Ambient Atmosphere

SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
Since the analysis of the atmosphere is influenced by phenomena in which all factors except the method of sampling and analytical procedure are beyond the control of the investigator, statistical consideration must be given to determine the adequacy of the number of samples obtained, the length of time that the sampling program is carried out, and the number of sites sampled. The purpose of the sampling and the characteristics of the contaminant to be measured will have an influence in determining this adequacy. Regular, or if possible, continuous measurements of the contaminant with simultaneous pertinent meteorological observations should be obtained during all seasons of the year. Statistical techniques may then be applied to determine the influence of the meteorological variables on the concentrations measured  (2).
Statistical methods may be used for the interpretation of all of the data available (2). Trends of patterns and relationships between variables of statistical significance may be detected. Much of the validity of the results will depend, however, on the comprehensiveness of the analysis and the location and contaminant measured. For example, if 24-h samples of suspended particulate matter are obtained only periodically (for example, every 6 or 8 days throughout the year), the geometric mean of the measured concentrations is representative of the median value assuming the data are log normally distributed. The geometric mean level may be used to compare the air quality at different locations at which such regular but intermittent observations of suspended particulate matter are made.
SCOPE
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to present the broad concepts of sampling the ambient air for the concentrations of contaminants. Detailed procedures are not discussed. General principles in planning a sampling program are given including guidelines for the selection of sites and the location of the air sampling inlet.
1.2 Investigations of atmospheric contaminants involve the study of a heterogeneous mass under uncontrolled conditions. Interpretation of the data derived from the air sampling program must often be based on the statistical theory of probability. Extreme care must be observed to obtain measurements over a sufficient length of time to obtain results that may be considered representative.
1.3 The variables that may affect the contaminant concentrations are the atmospheric stability (temperature-height profile), turbulence, wind speed and direction, solar radiation, precipitation, topography, emission rates, chemical reaction rates for their formation and decomposition, and the physical and chemical properties of the contaminant. To obtain concentrations of gaseous contaminants in terms of weight per unit volume, the ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure at the location sampled must be known.
1.4 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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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:D1357–95(Reapproved2005)
Standard Practice for
Planning the Sampling of the Ambient Atmosphere
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D1357; 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 D3614 Guide for Laboratories Engaged in Sampling and
Analysis of Atmospheres and Emissions
1.1 The purpose of this practice is to present the broad
concepts of sampling the ambient air for the concentrations of
NOTE 1—A list of references are appended to this practice which
contaminants. Detailed procedures are not discussed. General
provide greater details including background information, air quality
modeling techniques, and special purposes air sampling programs (1).
principles in planning a sampling program are given including
guidelines for the selection of sites and the location of the air
3. Terminology
sampling inlet.
3.1 Definitions—For definitions of terms used in this prac-
1.2 Investigations of atmospheric contaminants involve the
tice, refer to Terminology D1356.
study of a heterogeneous mass under uncontrolled conditions.
Interpretation of the data derived from the air sampling
4. Summary of Practice
program must often be based on the statistical theory of
4.1 This practice describes the general guidelines in plan-
probability. Extreme care must be observed to obtain measure-
ning for sampling the ambient air for the concentrations of
ments over a sufficient length of time to obtain results that may
contaminants.
be considered representative.
1.3 The variables that may affect the contaminant concen-
5. Significance and Use
trations are the atmospheric stability (temperature-height pro-
5.1 Since the analysis of the atmosphere is influenced by
file), turbulence, wind speed and direction, solar radiation,
phenomena in which all factors except the method of sampling
precipitation, topography, emission rates, chemical reaction
and analytical procedure are beyond the control of the inves-
rates for their formation and decomposition, and the physical
tigator, statistical consideration must be given to determine the
and chemical properties of the contaminant. To obtain concen-
adequacyofthenumberofsamplesobtained,thelengthoftime
trations of gaseous contaminants in terms of weight per unit
that the sampling program is carried out, and the number of
volume, the ambient temperature and atmospheric pressure at
sites sampled. The purpose of the sampling and the character-
the location sampled must be known.
istics of the contaminant to be measured will have an influence
1.4 This standard does not purport to address all of the
in determining this adequacy. Regular, or if possible, continu-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
ous measurements of the contaminant with simultaneous per-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
tinent meteorological observations should be obtained during
priate safety and health practices and determine the applica-
all seasons of the year. Statistical techniques may then be
bility of regulatory limitations prior to use.
applied to determine the influence of the meteorological
2. Referenced Documents
variables on the concentrations measured (2).
5.2 Statistical methods may be used for the interpretation of
2.1 ASTM Standards:
all of the data available (2). Trends of patterns and relation-
D1356 Terminology Relating to Sampling and Analysis of
ships between variables of statistical significance may be
Atmospheres
detected. Much of the validity of the results will depend,
D3249 Practice for General Ambient Air Analyzer Proce-
however, on the comprehensiveness of the analysis and the
dures
location and contaminant measured. For example, if 24-h
samples of suspended particulate matter are obtained only
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D22 on Sampling
periodically (for example, every 6 or 8 days throughout the
and Analysis of Atmospheres and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee
year), the geometric mean of the measured concentrations is
D22.03 on Ambient Atmospheres and Source Emissions.
representative of the median value assuming the data are log
Current edition approved March 1, 2005. Published May 2005. Originally
approved in 1955. Last previous edition approved in 2000 as D1357 - 95 (2000). normallydistributed.Thegeometricmeanlevelmaybeusedto
DOI: 10.1520/D1357-95R05.
For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual Book of ASTM
Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on The boldface numbers in parentheses refer to the list of references at the end of
the ASTM website. this practice.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.
D1357–95 (2005)
compare the air quality at different locations at which such 7.1.3 Solar radiation and hours of sunshine, humidity, pre-
regular but intermittent observations of suspended particulate cipitation, and barometric pressure. These parameters are
matter are made. important in assessing the pollution potential of an area and
should be considered in the planning of a monitoring program
and in the interpretation of the data. Pertinent meteorological
6. Basic Principles
and climatological information may be obtained from the local
6.1 The choice of sampling techniques and measurement
weatherdepartment.Inmanylocalities,however,themicrome-
methodology, the characteristics of the sites, the number of
teorology may be unique and meteorological investigations to
sampling stations, and the amount of data collected all depend
provide data specific to the area may be needed.
on the objectives of the monitoring program. These objectives
7.2 The influences of each of the meteorological parameters
may be one or more of the following:
important to air quality are discussed in detail. The methods of
6.1.1 Air quality assessment including determining maxi-
carrying out the related meteorological investigations are also
mum concentration,
discussed (3, 4, 5).
6.1.2 Health and vegetation effects studies,
6.1.3 Trend analysis,
8. Topographical Factors
6.1.4 Evaluation of pollution abatement programs,
8.1 Topography can influence the contaminant concentra-
6.1.5 Establishment of air quality criteria and standards by
tions in the atmosphere. For example, a valley will cause
relating to effects,
persistenceinwinddirectionsandintensifylow-levelnocturnal
6.1.6 Enforcement of control regulations,
inversions that will limit the dispersion of pollutants emitted
6.1.7 Development of air pollution control strategies,
into it. Mountains or plateaus may act as barriers affecting the
6.1.8 Activation of alert or emergency procedures,
flow of air as well as the contaminant concentrations in their
6.1.9 Land use, transportation, and energy systems plan-
vicinity. Consideration should be given to the influence of
ning,
these features as well as that of large lakes, the sea, and oceans
6.1.10 Background evaluations, and
(2, 3).
6.1.11 Atmospheric chemistry studies.
6.2 In order to cover all the variable meteorological condi-
9. Apparatus
tions that may greatly affect the air quality in an area, air
monitoring for lengthy periods of time may be necessary to
9.1 Details of the apparatus or instruments employed in
meet most of the above objectives.
sampling the air or carrying out associated meteorological
6.3 The topography, demography, and micrometeorology of
investigations are discussed in other ASTM methods and
the area as well as the contaminant measured, must be
recommendations.
considered in determining the number of monitoring stations
required in the area. Photographs and a map of the locations of
10. Sampling Procedure and Siting Concepts
the sampling stations is desirable in describing the sampling
10.1 The choice of procedure for the air sampling is
station.
dependent on the contaminant to be measured. See Practice
6.4 Unless the purpose of the sampling programs is site
D3249 for recommendations for general ambient air analyzer
specific, the sites monitored should, in general, be selected so
procedures. ASTM recommended methods have been pub-
as to avoid undue influence by any local source that may cause
lished for most of the common contaminants that are sampled.
local elevated concentrations that are not representative of the
Automatic instruments providing a continuous record of the
region to be characterized by the data.
concentrations of the contaminant should be utilized whenever
6.5 Monitoring sites for determining the impact on air
possible to save manpower and increase efficiency. Very often
quality by individual sources should be selected, if possible, so
factors such as temperature, humidity, and vibrations, as well
as to isolate the effect of the source being considered. When
as the power line voltage can influence the output of the air
there are many sources of the contaminant in the area, the sites
monitoring ins
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