Assessing Sample Processing And Sampling Uncertainty For Energetic Residues On Military Training Ranges: Method 8330b

The standard analytical method to determine explosives in soils (EPA SW-846 Method 8330) was developed in the late 1980s to support efforts to remediate Army ammunition plants and depots where wastewater from munitions production was released onto the soil. Subsequently, the characterization of energetic residues on military training ranges required the development of field sampling and laboratory processing methods suitable for the unique nature of the explosives and propellants dispersed by live-firing exercises. The revised method is based on research at more than 50 training ranges and addresses the uncertainty due to the heterogeneity in the physical form and the spatial distribution of these potentially hazardous constituents. The revised method (8330B) provides guidance for sampling and processing of soil samples. Proper sampling involves collecting an adequate number of evenly spaced increments from throughout a decision unit to reduce uncertainty due to distributional heterogeneity and enough mass to reduce uncertainty due to compositional heterogeneity. Soil samples may be several kilograms, and the entire sample must be processed to maintain representativeness.