ASTM D6640-21
(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
5.1 Often during environmental investigations, soils are analyzed after being collected from the surface, the vadose zone (Terminology D653), and sometimes from below the groundwater 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 (Guide 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 (for example, Test Method D1586; Practices D1587, D3550, and D6151; Guides D5784, D5875, D5876, D6169, and D6282). Drilling methods that use drilling fluids (liquids or air) should be avoided because they are more susceptible to cross-contamination (Guide D6286) (see 6.1.6).
5.2 If samples are to be collected for the determination of per- and poly-fluorinated alkyl substances (PFAS), all sampling equipment should be made of fluorine-free materials. Other considerations for PFAS sampling may exist but are beyond the scope of this standard.
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 This practice covers soil samplers used in Guide D6169 on soils and rock sampling and included in Guide D6232 for waste sampling. Guide D6169 provides additional information on samplers and procedures that will preserve representative contaminate concentrations. Guide D6282 is on direct-push soil samplers that are most frequently used for environmental work. Guide D4547 addresses special sampling of soils for volatile compounds. This standard does not include sediment samplers in Guide D4823, but the same principles may apply to handling of those cores. Guide D4700 includes information on shallow manual push soil samplers.
1.3 Five general types of core barrel samplers are discussed in this practice: split-barrel, soil corer, ring-lined barrel, thin-walled tube, and solid-barrel samplers.
1.4 This document does not cover all the core barrel devices that are available for the collection of soil samples.
1.5 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.
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this standard. All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in Practice D6026. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.7 This standard does not purpo...
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This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization established in the Decision on Principles for the
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
Designation: D6640 − 21
Standard Practice for
Collection and Handling of Soils Obtained in Core Barrel
1
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.
NOTE 1—Prior to commencement of any intrusive exploration, the site
1. Scope
should be checked for underground utilities.
1.1 This practice covers procedures for obtaining soils from
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded
core barrel samplers for chemical and physical analysis, with
as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
an emphasis on the collection and handling procedures that
standard. All observed and calculated values shall conform to
maintain the representativeness of the chemical contaminants
the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
of concern. Core barrel samplers are initially empty (hollow)
Practice D6026. Reporting of test results in units other than SI
until they are pushed into the ground to collect and retrieve a
shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
cylindricalsoilsamplewithminimaldisturbance.Theselection
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
of equipment and the sample handling procedures are depen-
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
dent on the soil properties, the depth of sampling, and the
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
general properties of the chemical contaminants of concern,
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
that is, volatile organic compounds, semi-volatile organic
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
compounds, and inorganic constituents. The sampling proce-
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
dures described are designed to maintain representative con-
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
centrations of the contaminants regardless of their physical
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
state(s), that is, solid, liquid, or gas.
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
1.2 This practice covers soil samplers used in Guide D6169
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
on soils and rock sampling and included in Guide D6232 for
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
waste sampling. Guide D6169 provides additional information
on samplers and procedures that will preserve representative
2. Referenced Documents
contaminate concentrations. Guide D6282 is on direct-push
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
soil samplers that are most frequently used for environmental
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained
work. Guide D4547 addresses special sampling of soils for
Fluids
volatile compounds. This standard does not include sediment
D1586 Test Method for Standard PenetrationTest (SPT) and
samplersinGuideD4823,butthesameprinciplesmayapplyto
Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
handling of those cores. Guide D4700 includes information on
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Fine-
shallow manual push soil samplers.
Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
1.3 Five general types of core barrel samplers are discussed
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined, Split Barrel,
in this practice: split-barrel, soil corer, ring-lined barrel, thin-
Drive Sampling of Soils
walled tube, and solid-barrel samplers.
D3694 Practices for Preparation of Sample Containers and
for Preservation of Organic Constituents
1.4 This document does not cover all the core barrel devices
D4547 Guide for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile
that are available for the collection of soil samples.
Organic Compounds
1.5 The procedures described may or may not be applicable
D4687 Guide for General Planning of Waste Sampling
to handling of samples for assessing certain geotechnical
D4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
properties, for example, soil porosity.
D4823 Guide for Core Sampling Submerged, Unconsoli-
dated Sediments
1
This practice is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.03 on
2
Sampling Equipment. For referenced ASTM standards, visit the ASTM website, www.astm.org, or
Current edition approved Oct. 1, 2021. Published October 2021. Originally contact ASTM Customer Service at service@astm.org. For Annual
...
This document is not an ASTM standard and is intended only to provide the user of an ASTM standard an indication of what changes have been made to the previous version. Because
it may not be technically possible to adequately depict all changes accurately, ASTM recommends that users consult prior editions as appropriate. In all cases only the current version
of the standard as published by ASTM is to be considered the official document.
Designation: D6640 − 01 (Reapproved 2015) D6640 − 21
Standard Practice for
Collection and Handling of Soils Obtained in Core Barrel
1
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
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 This practice covers soil samplers used in Guide D6169 on soils and rock sampling and included in Guide D6232 for waste
sampling. Guide D6169 provides additional information on samplers and procedures that will preserve representative contaminate
concentrations. Guide D6282 is on direct-push soil samplers that are most frequently used for environmental work. Guide D4547
addresses special sampling of soils for volatile compounds. This standard does not include sediment samplers in Guide D4823, but
the same principles may apply to handling of those cores. Guide D4700 includes information on shallow manual push soil
samplers.
1.3 FourFive general types of core barrel samplers are discussed in this practice: split-barrel, soil corer, ring-lined barrel,
thin-walled tube, and solid-barrel samplers.
1.4 This document does not cover all the core barrel devices that are available for the collection of soil samples.
1.5 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.
1.6 Units—The values stated in SI units are to be regarded as standard. No other units of measurement are included in this
standard. All observed and calculated values shall conform to the guidelines for significant digits and rounding established in
Practice D6026. Reporting of test results in units other than SI shall not be regarded as nonconformance with this standard.
1.7 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 safety, health, and healthenvironmental practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
1
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.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2015Oct. 1, 2021. Published September 2015October 2021. Originally approved in 2001. Last previous edition approved in 20102015
as D6640 – 01 (2010).(2015). DOI: 10.1520/D6640-01R15.10.1520/D6640-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D6640 − 21
1.8 This international standard was developed in accordance with internationally recognized principles on standardization
established in the Decision on Principles for the Development of International Standards, Guides and Recommendations issued
by the World Trade Organization Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D653 Terminology Relating to Soil, Rock, and Contained Fluids
D1586 Test Method for Standard Penetration Test (SPT) and Split-Barrel Sampling of Soils
D1587 Practice for Thin-Walled Tube Sampling of Fine-Grained Soils for Geotechnical Purposes
D3550 Practice for Thick Wall, Ring-Lined
...
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