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Sampling and analysis are a very important part of the reclamation
process. Information gathered from the analyses of samples of waste
material, soil, water, vegetation, and biota are used in virtually
every step of the reclamation process. Often, before reclamation
activities initiate, a sampling and analysis plan (SAP) is prepared.
The plan brings organization to the sampling and analysis process
to ensure that enough samples are taken to meet the goals of the
project but also to ensure that excess time and money are not spent
on sampling and analysis not pertinent to the project goals. Each
plan first describes the project, site background, and the goals
and objectives. Each plan should map out a sampling design which
describes where samples should be taken, how frequently sampling
events should take place, how many samples should be taken during
each sampling event, and what the samples should be analyzed for.
The project decisions for determining the sampling and analysis
design are made using the data quality objectives (DQO) plan. DQO
specifies the data quality required to support decisions, specific
data types needed, data collection requirements, and analytical
techniques necessary to generate the specified data quality. For
an example of a sampling and analysis plan (SAP), click
here.
The following sections of the tech guide describe the different
steps in the sampling and analysis process. The sampling methods
section discusses how you sample for solids,
groundwater, surface
water, vegetation, fish,
and other invertebrates. The analytical
methods section discusses what you analyze these samples for.
The data quality section discusses
the process used to ensure that reliable data is collected during
sampling and analysis. Throughout the tech guide you will learn
all the applications that sampling has to the various reclamation
activities. Often you will find links that connect the sampling
and analysis section to the reclamation technologies that use them.
Problem | Compliance
| Health & Safety | Sampling
| Analytical | Data
Quality
Site Assessment | Prediction
| Construction | GIS
| Monitoring & Assessment
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