ASTM D6044-21
(Guide)Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media
Standard Guide for Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and Contaminated Media
SIGNIFICANCE AND USE
4.1 This guide defines the meaning of a representative sample, as well as the attributes the sample(s) needs to have in order to provide a valid inference from the sample data to the population.
4.2 This guide also provides a process to identify the sources of error (both systematic and random) so that an effort can be made to control or minimize these errors. These sources include sampling error, measurement error, and statistical bias.
4.3 When the objective is limited to the taking of a representative (physical) sample or a representative set of (physical) samples, only potential sampling errors need to be considered. When the objective is to make an inference from the sample data to the population, additional measurement error and statistical bias need to be considered.
4.4 This guide does not apply to the cases where the taking of a nonrepresentative sample(s) is prescribed by the study objective. In that case, sampling approaches such as judgment sampling or biased sampling can be taken. These approaches are not within the scope of this guide.
4.5 Following this guide does not guarantee that representative samples will be obtained. But failure to follow this guide will likely result in obtaining sample data that are either biased or imprecise, or both. Following this guide should increase the level of confidence in making the inference from the sample data to the population.
4.6 This guide can be used in conjunction with the DQO process (see Practice D5792).
4.7 This guide is intended for those who manage, design, and implement sampling and analytical plans for waste management and contaminated media.
SCOPE
1.1 This guide covers the definition of representativeness in environmental sampling, identifies sources that can affect representativeness (especially bias), and describes the attributes that a representative sample or a representative set of samples should possess. For convenience, the term “representative sample” is used in this guide to denote both a representative sample and a representative set of samples, unless otherwise qualified in the text.
1.2 This guide outlines a process by which a representative sample may be obtained from a population. The purpose of the representative sample is to provide information about a statistical parameter(s) (such as mean) of the population regarding some characteristic(s) (such as concentration) of its constituent(s) (such as lead). This process includes the following stages: (1) minimization of sampling bias and optimization of precision while taking the physical samples, (2) minimization of measurement bias and optimization of precision when analyzing the physical samples to obtain data, and (3) minimization of statistical bias when making inferences from the sample data to the population. While both bias and precision are covered in this guide, major emphasis is given to bias reduction.
1.3 This guide describes the attributes of a representative sample and presents a general methodology for obtaining representative samples. It does not, however, provide specific or comprehensive sampling procedures. It is the user's responsibility to ensure that proper and adequate procedures are used.
1.4 The assessment of the representativeness of a sample is not covered in this guide since it is not possible to ever know the true value of the population.
1.5 Since the purpose of each sampling event is unique, this guide does not attempt to give a step-by-step account of how to develop a sampling design that results in the collection of representative samples.
1.6 Appendix X1 contains two case studies which discuss the factors for obtaining representative samples.
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, health, and environmental practices and determine the applicabi...
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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: D6044 − 21
Standard Guide for
Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and
1
Contaminated Media
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6044; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision.Anumber in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval.A
superscript epsilon (´) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.
1. Scope 1.6 Appendix X1 contains two case studies which discuss
the factors for obtaining representative samples.
1.1 This guide covers the definition of representativeness in
1.7 This standard does not purport to address all of the
environmental sampling, identifies sources that can affect
safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is the
representativeness (especially bias), and describes the attri-
responsibility of the user of this standard to establish appro-
butes that a representative sample or a representative set of
priate safety, health, and environmental practices and deter-
samples should possess. For convenience, the term “represen-
mine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use.
tative sample” is used in this guide to denote both a represen-
1.8 This international standard was developed in accor-
tative sample and a representative set of samples, unless
dance with internationally recognized principles on standard-
otherwise qualified in the text.
ization established in the Decision on Principles for the
1.2 This guide outlines a process by which a representative
Development of International Standards, Guides and Recom-
samplemaybeobtainedfromapopulation.Thepurposeofthe
mendations issued by the World Trade Organization Technical
representative sample is to provide information about a statis-
Barriers to Trade (TBT) Committee.
tical parameter(s) (such as mean) of the population regarding
some characteristic(s) (such as concentration) of its constitu-
2. Referenced Documents
ent(s) (such as lead). This process includes the following
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
stages: (1) minimization of sampling bias and optimization of
D3370Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process
precision while taking the physical samples, (2) minimization
Streams
of measurement bias and optimization of precision when
D4448GuideforSamplingGround-WaterMonitoringWells
analyzing the physical samples to obtain data, and (3) minimi-
D4547Guide for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile
zation of statistical bias when making inferences from the
Organic Compounds
sample data to the population. While both bias and precision
D4823Guide for Core Sampling Submerged, Unconsoli-
are covered in this guide, major emphasis is given to bias
dated Sediments
reduction.
D5088Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment
1.3 This guide describes the attributes of a representative
Used at Waste Sites
sample and presents a general methodology for obtaining
D5681Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
representative samples. It does not, however, provide specific
D5792Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Re-
or comprehensive sampling procedures. It is the user’s respon-
lated to Waste Management Activities: Development of
sibilitytoensurethatproperandadequateproceduresareused.
Data Quality Objectives
1.4 The assessment of the representativeness of a sample is
D5956Guide for Sampling Strategies for Heterogeneous
not covered in this guide since it is not possible to ever know
Wastes
the true value of the population.
D6051Guide for Composite Sampling and Field Subsam-
pling for Environmental Waste Management Activities
1.5 Sincethepurposeofeachsamplingeventisunique,this
D6169Guide for Selection of Soil and Rock Sampling
guidedoesnotattempttogiveastep-by-stepaccountofhowto
Devices Used With Drill Rigs for Environmental Investi-
develop a sampling design that results in the collection of
gations
representative samples.
D6286Guide for Selection of Drilling and Direct Push
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste
Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.01 on
2
Planning for Sampling. 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 Book of ASTM
approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 2015 as D6044–96 (2015). Standards volume information, refer to the standard’s Document Summary page on
DOI: 10.1520/D6044-21. the ASTM website.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 1942
...
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: D6044 − 96 (Reapproved 2015) D6044 − 21
Standard Guide for
Representative Sampling for Management of Waste and
1
Contaminated Media
This standard is issued under the fixed designation D6044; 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 guide covers the definition of representativeness in environmental sampling, identifies sources that can affect
representativeness (especially bias), and describes the attributes that a representative sample or a representative set of samples
should possess. For convenience, the term “representative sample” is used in this guide to denote both a representative sample and
a representative set of samples, unless otherwise qualified in the text.
1.2 This guide outlines a process by which a representative sample may be obtained from a population. The purpose of the
representative sample is to provide information about a statistical parameter(s) (such as mean) of the population regarding some
characteristic(s) (such as concentration) of its constituent(s) (such as lead). This process includes the following stages: (1)
minimization of sampling bias and optimization of precision while taking the physical samples, (2) minimization of measurement
bias and optimization of precision when analyzing the physical samples to obtain data, and (3) minimization of statistical bias when
making inferenceinferences from the sample data to the population. While both bias and precision are covered in this guide, major
emphasis is given to bias reduction.
1.3 This guide describes the attributes of a representative sample and presents a general methodology for obtaining representative
samples. It does not, however, provide specific or comprehensive sampling procedures. It is the user’s responsibility to ensure that
proper and adequate procedures are used.
1.4 The assessment of the representativeness of a sample is not covered in this guide since it is not possible to ever know the true
value of the population.
1.5 Since the purpose of each sampling event is unique, this guide does not attempt to give a step by step step-by-step account
of how to develop a sampling design that results in the collection of representative samples.
1.6 Appendix X1 contains two case studies,studies which discuss the factors for obtaining representative samples.
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.
1.8 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.
1
This guide is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee D34 on Waste Management and is the direct responsibility of Subcommittee D34.01.01 on Planning for
Sampling.
Current edition approved Sept. 1, 2015Oct. 1, 2021. Published September 2015October 2021. Originally approved in 1996. Last previous edition approved in 20092015
as D6044 – 96 (2009).(2015). DOI: 10.1520/D6044-96R15.10.1520/D6044-21.
Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959. United States
1
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D6044 − 21
2. Referenced Documents
2
2.1 ASTM Standards:
D3370 Practices for Sampling Water from Flowing Process Streams
D4448 Guide for Sampling Ground-Water Monitoring Wells
D4547 Guide for Sampling Waste and Soils for Volatile Organic Compounds
D4700 Guide for Soil Sampling from the Vadose Zone
D4823 Guide for Core Sampling Submerged, Unconsolidated Sediments
D5088 Practice for Decontamination of Field Equipment Used at Waste Sites
D5681 Terminology for Waste and Waste Management
D5792 Practice for Generation of Environmental Data Related to Waste Management Activities: Development of Data Quality
Objectives
D5956 Guide for Sampling Strategies for Heterogeneous Wastes
D6051 Guide for Composite Sampling and Field Subsampling for Environmental Waste Management A
...
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