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Collecting Samples for Reference or Characterization Analysis

Collecting Samples for Reference or Characterization Analysis. Michael A. Wilson Research Soil Scientist Soil Survey Research and Laboratory Lincoln, NE. Rationale. Collection of soil samples for analysis— Single step of a multifaceted process. For proper collection, must understand:

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Collecting Samples for Reference or Characterization Analysis

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  1. Collecting Samples for Reference or Characterization Analysis Michael A. Wilson Research Soil Scientist Soil Survey Research and Laboratory Lincoln, NE

  2. Rationale • Collection of soil samples for analysis— • Single step of a multifaceted process. • For proper collection, must understand: • timing for project completion • types of projects • the complete package • long-term utilitarian nature of data

  3. OBJECTIVESUpon completion of this module, the student should be able to: • Understand the importance to sample for multiple objectives • Differentiate between types of projects • Describe process of work plan submission to project completion • List important components of a NCSS/NRCS characterization dataset

  4. REFERENCES • KSSL Sample Submission Information; Zip file located at: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/research/lab/guide/ • Burt. R. (ed.) 2014. Soil Survey Laboratory Methods Manual. Soil Survey Investigations Report No. 42. Version 5.0. U.S. Govt. Print. Office, Washington, DC. • Soil Survey Staff. 2009. Soil Survey Field and Laboratory Methods Manual. Soil Survey Investigations Report No. 51, Version 1.0. R. Burt (ed.). U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service • National Soil Survey Handbook

  5. Purposes for Sampling • Supplement field data with laboratory info on soil properties and behavior. • Develop field and laboratory methods • Replace or verify estimated data • Develop soil interpretations and models • Investigate soil genesis and landscapes. Observation and Measurement

  6. TYPES OF PROJECTS involving laboratory analysis REFERENCE • Limited sample numbers and analyses • For background information CHARACTERIZATION • Extensive or important soils in survey area • Collect and analyze all horizons in pedon • Comprehensive analysis of horizon GEOMORPHIC AND STRATIGRAPHY PROJECTS • For relationship of soils, landforms, and statigraphy of parent materials • May involve multiple pedons in catena defined by morphology and/or hydrology RESEARCH • Specialized long or short term projects • Unique sampling scheme to address objectives OTHER • Geophysical

  7. Project requests are evaluated and prioritized; may/may not be accepted based on importance and resources

  8. Timeline for Receiving Lab Data Request for assistance sent to NSSC; develop workplan Partial Data Available Submit Work plan You decide to sample Fiscal year begins Samples sent to SSL Project Complete Snow Aug Nov NOV May 2016 May 2015 May 2014 1.5 years---plan accordingly

  9. WORKPLANSfor sampling • Can be initiated by any NCSS personnel (working through the State/Regional office) • Workplan development is best a cooperative effort • Workplan documentation includes: • survey area (geology, geomorphology, soils, climate, ect.) • project background (literature review, available data) • objectives – statement of problem • justification • resources needed • personnel involved • sampling scheme • analyses • data usage – need for information • See Exhibits 631-3, 4, and 5 in the NSSH.

  10. Utilitarian nature of Characterization Data Each set of data has multiple users over time MLRA Update Teaching Soil survey characterization Characterized Pedon Study of Soil mineralogy Global Climate Study Carbon Sequestration Developing Interpretations

  11. Each pedon is a dataset composed of: Site information • Location • Climate • Geomorphic information • Parent material/Bedrock Pedon Data • Observation method • Taxonomic classification • Detailed morphology Laboratory Data • Bulk density and water retention • Routine chemistry and particle size data • Selective dissolutions • Mineralogy FOCUS ON COMPLETENESS—description, sampling, and analyses of horizons All these data are Characterization Data

  12. BENCHMARK FOCUS ON PEDONS REPRESENTATIVE OF MAJOR SOILS AND GEOGRAPHIC COVERAGE “Full data on a few well-selected soils over a range of conditions are more useful than a few data on many soils.” Kellogg, 1962: The Place of the Laboratory in Soil Classification and Interpretations

  13. PEDON SAMPLING TECHNIQUES Excavated pits • Best method for observation of properties • By hand or backhoe • Dug through solum to parent material (2-m) Hydraulic Probe • Trim off exterior to remove oil or other contaminant • Compare core length to hole depth • Split core to describe Bucket auger • Identification and mixing of horizons is a problem • Sample generally of less quality for analysis

  14. REMEMBER SAFETY! • Shoring Equipment • T-Shaped pit • Sloping side walls • Keep spoil pile >2 ft from side • 1 ft3 of soil can weigh > 125 lbs • 1 m3 (35.3 ft3) of soil can weigh > 3,000 lbs. http://www.osha.gov/dts/osta/otm/otm_v/otm_v_2.html#6

  15. PERMAFROST-AFFECTED SOILS Ice Auger

  16. Human-Altered Human-Transported Soils New York City What field data and samples are important to collect?

  17. Potentially Contaminated Soils Coeur d’Alene River, Idaho Is it safe to sample? Know your hazards!

  18. Sampling Schemes • Representative Pedons • Grab (?) Samples • Satellite samples • Horizons vs fixed depths • All horizons, selected horizons, or composite sampling “Our results implied that sampling by depth increments is favorable for the detection of regional OC stocks and that sampling by soil horizons should be used for the study of pedogenic processes which control OC stocks in soil. Differences in OC stocks among soil groups are more pronounced if horizons are considered, which shows that mixing of soil horizons by fixed depth increments destroy important pedogenetical information. “ Grüneberg et al., Geoderma 155 (2010) 426–433

  19. NON UNIFORM, NON HORIZONTAL HORIZONS • Vertisols • Permafrost Affected Soils • Animal disturbance • Degrading argillics (Glossic) Describe and sample the material Wavy boundaries Pockets of material Displaced material Discontinuous horizonation

  20. OTHER SPECIAL SAMPLES Organic soils • From pit (if drained) or Macaulay peat sampler if submerged Sulfidic soil materials • Generally in intra-tidal zones and saturated • Collect sample and seal to eliminate air (mason jar or plastic bag); store on ice or freeze • Analyze “oxidized pH” Soil Biology • Above ground biomass-id and clip all veg in 50X50 cm area • Surface litter – 50X50 cm area • Root biomass – sample by horizon for 1 m2, separate by root size • Microbial biomass – soil, transport under ice or refrigeration (4 C)

  21. SAMPLES COLLECTED—for all horizons for complete characterization Bulk sample • 3 kg • < 20-mm fraction Bulk density clod • three egg shaped, fist sized clods • dipped in saran Natural fabric • for thin section and/or permanent storage • oriented with staple • similar in size to BD clods

  22. What were they thinking?

  23. Sampling for Bulk Density Examples Clods of natural fabric Cores Compliant Cavity

  24. Not all clods are created equal! • Issues: • Loose topsoil (Ap) • Sands • Rock Fragments • Shrink Swell clays • Organic rich soils • Wet or frozen soils • Size

  25. SOILS WITH ROCK FRAGMENTS • Weigh all material <75-mm (weigh 60-100 lbsrock+soil for accurate measure) • Volume estimate for rock fragments 75-200 and > 200 mm • Ship > 3kg if percent 2-20-mm fraction is high (e.g., 2-3 bags) 4 kg is approximately 1 gal material

  26. Coarse Fragments on SSL Datasheet 2-5 mm Fine gravels 5-20 mm Medium gravels 20-75 mm Coarse gravels 75-250 mm Cobbles 250-600 mm Stones >600 mm Boulders Lab measures Field measures -weight Field measures -volume ----------------------------------------------------- Col. 16 (0.1 to 75 mm) = Used for silty/loamy break in family particle size Col 17 (wt% >2-mm) = Coarse fragments on a weight basis; based on values in pedon description and lab measurement for 2-20 mm. Supplemental Tier 3; Col 1 = Coarse fragments >2-mm on volumetric basis -----------------------------------------------------

  27. Transmittal of Samples to SSL • Refer to the instructions posted on the web: http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/soils/research/lab/guide/

  28. Transmittal of Samples to SSL • All soil samples submitted must be accompanied by the standardized spreadsheets ‘KSSL Project Sheet’ and ‘KSSL Sample Submission’. • Spreadsheets provide the lab with all information needed to process and analyze the samples. • The ‘Sample Submission’ spreadsheet will aid in identifying the analytical data and correct soil description information.

  29. Transmittal of Samples to SSL • Printed copies of the project and analysis spreadsheets and pedon descriptions should be: • included with the samplesand • Sent electronically to your Lab liaison. • This spreadsheet will be the only acceptable form of sample analysis request. • Contact your KSSL liaison with any questions related to the documentation of submission process.

  30. APHIS-Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service • APHIS regulations for soils in areas with • Imported Fire Ant • Witchweed • Golden Nematode • Oriental Fruit Fly • Sudden Oak Death • Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) regulations for • Columbia Root Knot Nematode • List of Regulated Areas in Part 2 of sampling instructions to determine if a sampling area is regulated. Contact Richard Ferguson, Larry Arnold or the appropriate NSSC Liaison if there are any questions. REGULATED SAMPLES

  31. APHIS Impacted Areas • CALIFORNIA • COLORADO • FLORIDA • GEORGIA • IDAHO • LOUISIANA • MISSISSIPPI • NEVADA • NEW MEXICO • NEW YORK • HAWAII • All Foreign Countries • All other areas outside of the CONUS except Alaska

  32. CONTAINMENT forRegulated Bulk samples • Primary container: a heavy duty plastic bag provided by the KSSL. • Secondary container: a large heavy duty plastic bag provided by the KSSL. • Tertiary container: A rigid outer container, a heavy duty cardboard box.

  33. Pedon Descriptions into NASIS • Pedon and site information from NASIS will be accessed directly by the Laboratory Information System • This requires that NASIS Pedon and Site data be in NASIS and accessible to the KSSL • Responsibility of field, state, or MLRA office to enter pedon descriptions prior to sample submission

  34. Sample Preparation in the SSLCommon Procedures (Codes) • S = Standard air- dried preparation • M = Standard moist preparation • H = histic or organic soil preparation • K = crush 2-20 mm coarse fragments to < 2-mm (e.g., SK prep) • GP = mix and crush <20mm soil material (<2mm soil plus coarse fragments) to < 2-mm Understand what happens to your samples!

  35. Cr Horizons from one project in Montana Do they slake in water? S vs GP prep?

  36. SSL Project Analytical Report • Sent to states and project/office leader for review • Opportunity to verify classifications and analytical requests

  37. CONCLUSIONS • Plan ahead for laboratory analyses • Sample important soils/sites that can address multiple objectives • Be methodical and comprehensive in description, sampling, and analytical requests • Complete the process—enter description, evaluate analytical requests, understand preparation

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