Section 250-RICR-140-05-6.5 - Field Sampling to Provide Analytical Data for Evaluation of Candidate Soil (Per Section 6.2(A) of this Part)A. The following represents a minimal sampling and testing strategy. Additional sampling may be required at a given site, on a case-by-case basis, to adequately characterize the contaminated soil and to minimize the potential of accepting hazardous materials or materials that the soil processor is not permitted to accept. 1. Scenario 1: For projects where contaminated soil has been excavated and stockpiled and where the piles are "homogeneous" or "heterogeneous" defined as follows: a. Homogeneous Pile or Site - A contaminated soil pile or site, where it is known or suspected that only one type of spill material (contaminant) has occurred either in a single spill or leak or multiple spills or leaks. Also, the pile or site has an appearance of being approximately evenly contaminated (approximately same concentration of contaminant throughout) based on visual observation and/or using portable contaminant monitoring devices.b. Heterogeneous Pile or Site - A contaminated pile or site, where it is known or suspected that one or more spills of one type of spill material (contaminant) has occurred in a defined area or sector of the pile or site, while one or more spills of a second type of spill material has occurred in a different, defined area or sector of the pile or site. Orc. A contaminated pile or site, where there are visual differences in the appearance of spill material in different, defined areas or sectors of the pile or site and/or where contaminant monitoring devices provide significantly different readings in different, defined areas or sectors of the pile or site such that: (1) There is a potential that different spill materials (contaminants) exist in separate, defined areas of the pile or site or(2) It is likely that the concentration of contaminant of a single type varies significantly in separate, defined areas of the pile or site.d. Case 1 - Homogeneous Pile or Site: (1) Divide the overall pile (on paper) into grid segments of 20 cubic yards each, when looked at a three dimensional view. In each grid segment, collect one grab sample at a depth of at least two feet. Collect it from the area of the grid segment that appears to have the highest concentration of contaminant, per visual observation. Alternately, if the concentration of contaminant throughout the grid segment is uniform, i.e., no discernible difference per visual observation, then collect it from the mid-point of the grid segment.(2) If the contaminated pile is arranged such that the above grid segment plan and sampling approach cannot be applied, then an alternate method can be used, provided approval is obtained from the Solid Waste Section of the RIDEM Office of Land Revitalization and Sustainable Materials Management.(3) In the laboratory, half of each of the five grab samples from five adjacent grids will be composited into one sample for test purposes and to represent that cumulative 100 cubic yards of soil. (Therefore, there will be one composite sample and one set of lab tests for each 100 cubic yard of soil, or portion thereof). If any of the composite sample's test indicate a problem (hazardous waste characteristics, material not acceptable per the applicant's permit, etc.) then the soil processor shall have several options: (AA) Reject the entire pile at the site or(BB) Reject the entire 100 cubic yard of soil associated with each composite that has the problem or(CC) Re-test each individual grab sample within the 100 cubic yard sector(s) that has the problem, to determine if the problem can be isolated to a give grid segment (and thus being able to accept other grid segments within that 100 cubic yard sector).e. Case 2 - Heterogeneous Pile or Site (1) The procedures to be used are the same as in Case 1 for homogeneous piles or sites, except for the following: (AA) Layout the grid network in a manner that maximizes the number of adjacent grids that are known or suspected to be homogeneous with one another.(BB) In the laboratory, compositing, for test purposes, will be performed on grab samples from adjacent grids that are known or suspected to be homogeneous with one another. Therefore, each composite will consist of a minimum of one grab sample (from a grid that is known or suspected to be heterogeneous relative to adjacent grids) to a maximum of five grab samples (all known or suspected to be homogeneous with one another). Thus, there will be one composite sample and one set of lab tests for a maximum of each 100 cubic yards of soil.2. Scenario 2: For projects where excavation and stockpiling is not possible due to space restrictions or environmental considerations:a. After the boundaries of the contaminated area have been established, divide the overall area (on paper) into grid segments of 20 yd3 each. Excavate in the middle of the grid to the apparent limits of contamination. While excavating, take grid samples at two foot vertical intervals and composite these vertical samples into one sample.b. In the laboratory, half of each of the five composite samples from five adjacent grids will, in turn, be composited into one sample for test purposes, and to be representative of that cumulative 100 yd3 of soil. (Therefore, there will be one composite sample and one set of lab tests for each 100 yd3 of soil, or portion thereof). In the event that any composite sample's tests indicate a problem (hazardous waste characteristics, material that is not acceptable per the applicant's permit, etc.) then the soil processor shall have several options: (1) Reject the entire amount of contaminated material at the site or(2) Reject the entire 100 yd3 sector of soil associated with each composite that has the problem or(3) Re-test each individual composite sample from each grid segment within the sector(s) that has the problem to determine if the problem can be isolated to a given grid segment (and thus being able to accept other grid segments within that 100 yd3 sector(s)).250 R.I. Code R. 250-RICR-140-05-6.5
Amended effective4/22/2020