N.J. Admin. Code § Tit. 7, ch. 7, att. A
The sampling methodology described below has been drawn from Section 8.2.6 of the "Evaluation of Dredged Material Proposed for Ocean Disposal - Testing Manual," February 1991, USEPA and the USACE(EPA503/8-91/001); the USEPA and the USACE "QA/QC Guidance for Sampling and Analysis of Sediments, Water, and Tissues for Dredged Material Evaluations," (EPA 823-B-95-001, April 1995); and the "Field Sampling Procedures Manual," New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and Energy, May 1992.
The data reports submitted to the Department for testing and analysis of material proposed for dredging must include descriptions of the procedures used for sample handling, preservation, and storage. These procedures must conform to the following guidance:
The recommended storage and preservation procedures for sediment samples are summarized in attachment B of this appendix. The specified holding times must be adhered to or the proposed alterations to the specified holding time approved by the Department prior to analysis.
Sediment samples are subject to chemical, biological, and physical changes as soon as they are collected. Therefore, the handling, preservation, and storage techniques should minimize any changes in sample composition by retarding chemical and/or biological activity and by avoiding extraneous contamination.
A coring device should be used for sediment sample collection, in conjunction with inert plastic liners which are not to be reused. The barrel of the coring device must be rinsed between each coring; the use of site water for rinsing is acceptable. Cross-contamination of collected sediment and water samples via personnel must also be avoided.
Generally, samples to be analyzed for metals should not come into contact with metal sampling equipment, and samples to be analyzed for organic compounds should not come into contact with plastics. All sample containers should be appropriately cleaned: acid-rinsed (10% nitric acid) for metal analysis, and solvent-rinsed (acetone is preferred; however, other approved solvents such as methanol and hexane can be used as well) for organic analysis. When equipment will be used to take samples for both metal and organic compound analysis, the acid rinse must be conducted first, and the solvent rinse second.
Samples should completely fill the storage container, leaving no head space, except for expansion volume needed for potential freezing. Since the first few hours after collection are the most critical for potential changes to the sediment, preservation should begin immediately after collection onboard the collecting vessel. This would include refrigeration or freezing with dry ice. The elapsed time between sample collection and analysis must be as short as possible, and not exceed the recommended holding times listed in Attachment B.
The recommended storage and preservation procedures for water samples are summarized in Attachment B. The specified holding times by analyte group for water samples must be adhered to, or any proposed alteration of the specified holding time approved by the Department prior to analysis.
Water samples are subject to chemical, biological, and physical changes as soon as they are collected. Therefore, the handling, preservation, and storage techniques should minimize any changes in sample composition by retarding chemical and/or biological activity and by avoiding extraneous contamination.
Water samples should be collected with either a non-contaminating pump (peristaltic or magnetically coupled impeller design pump) or a discrete water sampler. The pump system should be flushed with 10 times the volume of the collection tubing using site water. The discrete water sampler should be made of stainless steel or acrylic plastic and be of the closed/opened/closed type. Seals should be Teflon-coated. All water sampling devices should be acid-rinsed (10% nitric acid) for metal analysis, and solvent-rinsed (acetone is preferred; however, other approved solvents such as methanol and hexane can be used as well) for organic analysis. When equipment will be used to take samples for both metal and organic compound analysis, the acid rinse must be conducted first, and the solvent rinse second.
Attachment C lists the inorganic and organic compounds for which sampling may be required under normal circumstances. See Attachment C for further details on the origins of this list.
N.J. Admin. Code Tit. 7, ch. 7, att. A